Single-ring on the front, shorter chain ?

weeksy59

Afternoon,

I'm just about to complete the swap to a single 32T ring on the front on my Giant XTC29er. I need to split the chain anyway to remove the front mech, so was wondering if i should shorten the chain length ? (Chain is 1 ride old only as i fitted it last week)

Thanks.

cooldad

Yes

weeksy59

cooldad wrote:

Yes

Lovely ?

1 link ? 5 links ? 25 links ?

ilovedirt

rule is biggest ring - biggest ring + 2 full links (inside link and outside link twice) + some room for chain growth. I usually put it in biggest - biggest, remove air/spring from shock and compress the suspension fully and keep taking links out until the chain is as short as it can possibly be whilst being in both big rings and the suspension being fully compressed. It's usually biggest-biggest+3/4 on a fully, depending on the travel and the frame design.

Chunkers1980

How would we know? Usual rule for measuring. But if you have a 42t now, without will be at least minus 10 links or 5 pairs.

Chunkers1980

Also, Just don't take too many out at once, otherwise to get it strong again you'll have to use quick links to add.

cooldad

weeksy59 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Yes

Lovely ?

1 link ? 5 links ? 25 links ?

You said you fitted the new one a week ago. I think it is fair to assume you knew how.

Chunkers1980

You do have a bit of a dilemma, as if you're not changing your mech? then a few lengths will work without 'stretching' the drivetrain to much.

weeksy59

cooldad wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Yes

Lovely ?

1 link ? 5 links ? 25 links ?

You said you fitted the new one a week ago. I think it is fair to assume you knew how.

I fitted it the same length as the one i removed. I was running a standard setup from the factory at that stage. Now, i've dropped to just a 33T.

weeksy59

ilovedirt wrote:

the suspension being fully compressed. It's usually biggest-biggest+3/4 on a fully, depending on the travel and the frame design.

It's a HT.

Chunkers1980

How many teeth?

weeksy59

Chunkers1980 wrote:

How many teeth?

Gone to a 33T ring from a 42T/33/24

ilovedirt

weeksy59 wrote:

ilovedirt wrote:

the suspension being fully compressed. It's usually biggest-biggest+3/4 on a fully, depending on the travel and the frame design.

It's a HT.

Well in that case, biggest ring - biggest ring plus two whole links. (that's inner and outer link x 2)

weeksy59

thank you.

The Rookie

Chunkers1980 wrote:

How would we know? Usual rule for measuring. But if you have a 42t now, without will be at least minus 10 links or 5 pairs.

OOps, chain only wraps 180 degrees round front ring, so 21-16 = 5 - so 2 or 3 pairs!

cooldad

What anyone estimates should be taken out is pointless, just measure, cut, join, job done.

weeksy59

cooldad wrote:

What anyone estimates should be taken out is pointless, just measure, cut, join, job done.

Mostly you're a condescending muppet you know.

Measure HOW ?

Why not for once in your life on here stop trying to be the big dog and actually help if you know the answer. It seems to me you could have written the 'how to' for me about 3 hours ago. But you have some weird obsession with proving your superiority.

weeksy59

The Beginner wrote:

Chunkers1980 wrote:

How would we know? Usual rule for measuring. But if you have a 42t now, without will be at least minus 10 links or 5 pairs.

OOps, chain only wraps 180 degrees round front ring, so 21-16 = 5 - so 2 or 3 pairs!

Thanks.

I'll have a looky once the bits arrive. I've fitted many motorbike chains in the past... but they don't come with a weird derailleur thing

nicklouse

The same as always. Around the two big cogs with out the mech and add a full link.

Or read Parktools .

YeehaaMcgee

ilovedirt wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

ilovedirt wrote:

the suspension being fully compressed. It's usually biggest-biggest+3/4 on a fully, depending on the travel and the frame design.

It's a HT.

Well in that case, biggest ring - biggest ring plus two whole links. (that's inner and outer link x 2)

And you measure that length WITHOUT the chain going through the rear mech - just straight round the two largest cogs.

cooldad

You don't take the mech into account when measuring the chain, just the rings.
And while we're talking about muppets, the fourth post down told you how to measure it, no need to repeat.

weeksy59

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

ilovedirt wrote:

weeksy59 wrote:

ilovedirt wrote:

the suspension being fully compressed. It's usually biggest-biggest+3/4 on a fully, depending on the travel and the frame design.

It's a HT.

Well in that case, biggest ring - biggest ring plus two whole links. (that's inner and outer link x 2)

And you measure that length WITHOUT the chain going through the rear mech - just straight round the two largest cogs.

Interesting... can't imagine i'd ever have considered that approach. Thank you.

weeksy59

cooldad wrote:

You don't take the mech into account when measuring the chain, just the rings.
And while we're talking about muppets, the fourth post down told you how to measure it, no need to repeat.

Easy wasn't it

thanks to all.

YeehaaMcgee

cooldad wrote:

And while we're talking about muppets, the fourth post down told you how to measure it, no need to repeat.

Didn't mention that you measure it without the mech though, did he?

cooldad

I was leaving that up to Nick (and his echo).

Sometimes I just assume too much.

weeksy59

cooldad wrote:

I was leaving that up to Nick (and his echo).

Sometimes I just assume too much.

You have to assume we know nothing.

If we knew the answers, we wouldn't post the questions in here, we'd just do the work.

I'm one of these people who know very little, until shown/told. I can rebuild motorbikes from parts, do engines, carbs, wheels, etc etc... I can now do most things on a MTB.. However, there are many many things i still have 0% knowledge of.

cooldad

Fair enough.

weeksy59

All done... thanks to everyone for the guidance. Can't say i'm 100% convinced on the blue... but it was the best they had in stock.

Chunkers1980

I'm no expert on these devices, but that doesn't look right.

weeksy59

Chunkers1980 wrote:

I'm no expert on these devices, but that doesn't look right.

No ?

Me neither mate lol

It doesn't rub in any gear so it's a good start point.

You're thinking more horizontal and lower ?

weeksy59

Here's another... i guess that's more like it ?