new chain set up question

T

tednugent

Member
Ditched the big chain ring up front (and replaced with BBG Bashguard), replaced the rear cassette to a 9-speed 36T one, and got a new KMC X9 SL Gold chain...

I remember reading somewhere...

the length should be big ring to big ring plus 2 links?

or should it be something else?

thanks


...here is where I read it:
http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/chain-length-sizing

Chain Sizing - Largest Cog and Largest Chainring Method
An alternative method for determining chain length for new chains is to use the largest size sprockets on the bike. It is easiest to size the chain without threading it through the derailleur.

  1. Remove the old chain.
  2. Shift the front derailleur over the largest chainring, and the rear derailleur on the smallest cog.
  3. Thread the new chain through the front derailleur. It is not necessary to thread the chain through the rear derailleur at this point. Simply wrap the chain around the largest front chainring and around the largest rear cog.
  4. Pull the chain tight, and note the closest rivet where the two could be joined. Keep in mind a chain can only be joined by mating inner and outer plates.
  5. From the closet rivet, lengthen the chain by counting over an additional two rivets (two links), which is a distance of one-inch. Cut the chain at this point.
  6. Remove the chain from the bike and thread it through both derailleurs and join the ends.

MASTERLINK NOTE: If the bike chain uses a "master link", it is necessary to account for the link. Install one-half of the master link on one side of the chain. Size the chain by cutting the other end of the chain.
 
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you want the rear derail to be stretched out as much as possible without the chain skipping as it moves through the pullies.
 
I forget what I've done... but it definitely wasnt more than +2 links, so I'd start there. Do you have a short cage derailleur? If not, you should keep an eye out for one.
 
my previous bike I had set the chain up by wrapping the biggest right and rear cog and you would want the RD as tight as it could be but with the elbow slightly bent, not completely straight...
 
With a normal triple front setup you would put the new chain on the smallest front chainring (granny) and the smallest rear cog (11t or 12t) and lace it through the derailleur. Then pull the chain together tight enough so that the lower chain does not rub on the cage of the derailleur.

Now with the big ring removed there isnt the need for that much slack in the chain so the other method you can use would be to put the chain over the middle chainring and the largest rear cog (in your case the 36t) once again lace it through the derailleur and pull it tight. The difference here is when you pull it tight you should want your derailleur cage pointing at a 45 degree angle pointing toward the front wheel. You can run the chain tighter however do not run it so tight that the derailleur is fully stretched out
 
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