This is not right, assistance welcome

KevChallis

Hi all, changed my sram x5 shifters and x7 rear mech to sox and zee rear mech today, not without its problems though, and looking for some advice on what I have done wrong.

When i go into the big ring both ends (ok some may say you shouldn't) the rear mechs wheels hit the big cog, but only when I am sat on the bike (giant reign 2)

Thats one issue, the other is, I can only get it shifting correctly up the gears, or down the gears, not both. I have followed guides etc... but can not for the life of me sort this shifting out.

I did take 2 links out of the chain, as I moved from long cage to the zee

Thanks

KevChallis

This is without me sat on it

freezing77

Is the chain running thru the jockey wheels correctly.

poah

chain length changing when you sit on the bike. let air out of the shock and recheck chain length. might need to add more links and adjust B tension

delete_my_account

Either the short cage mech doesn't have enough chain wrap capacity for a mech that size or your chain is too short. Or both.

You haven't mentioned what it looks like when it's in the small small combo.

And indexing the mech will probably be easier when the chain is the right length.

97th choice

You are trying to run 2x10 with an 11-36 cassette and a zee mech?

KevChallis

97th choice wrote:

You are trying to run 2x10 with an 11-36 cassette and a zee mech?

Yeah, in my noob way, will this not work?

Thanks

delete_my_account

Well given the Zee groupset is designed for a single ring up front and that's a short cage mech whose maximum capacity is 28 teeth on the rear cassette, no.

You need a longer mech. But the longer of the two zee mechs is only designed for up to 36 teeth on the rear cassette and you appear to be running an 11-36 PLUS two chainrings up front (given you said you changed your shifters, plural), Zee won't work.

Try an XT or SLX with a long cage.

KevChallis

So options are drop change to 1 x 10, or see if I can get some sort of exchange from CRC, although it has been fitted

97th choice

Kind of, but as said above it may well not work on the 11-36 cassette, adjust the b screw and try it on the middle ring only

The secret rider

Zee is a single ring only mech the shadow plus is the one you need if you want to run that set up

Slightly heavier and longer

The secret rider

97th choice wrote:

Kind of, but as said above it may well not work on the 11-36 cassette, adjust the b screw and try it on the middle ring only

1x10 they are ok with 11/36

KevChallis

What do you class as middle ring, I only have a 24 or 38 up front, and this was set up on the 38, although, when I shortened the chain, I put the chain around both big rings and then added 2 links, is this the correct way, I see so many different ways

Surely I should be able to get it to work purely on the 38t chain ring?

Clank

Which version of the Zee do you have?

There's one version with a 25t capacity, and one with a 17t capacity. Both were designed for exclusively single-ring set ups (the 25t one can only just do 25t, too). The mech just doesn't have the capacity to run with your desired set-up. An XT or SLX mech is what you need.

KevChallis

It's the 32-36t wide ratio version.

Expect to see a zee in the for sale section soon. As it's fitted I doubt CRC will refund it lol

97th choice

You will probably be ok, just clean it up and send it back. Your choice but if you get an x9 type 2 you can send your shimano shifter back as well. Although if money is no object keep the shimano

97th choice

KevChallis wrote:

What do you class as middle ring, I only have a 24 or 38 up front, and this was set up on the 38, although, when I shortened the chain, I put the chain around both big rings and then added 2 links, is this the correct way, I see so many different ways

Surely I should be able to get it to work purely on the 38t chain ring?

You should be able to, if it is the wide ratio version, although I would swap your front chainring before setting it up. As per your other thread, 34t is the largest I would go on that bike.

The secret rider

It matters not what the "middle" ring is as such the zee is only capable of running with a SINGLE ring on the front. Not the two rings you have.

The short cage is the one with limited capacity the wide cage is the one you have there and that will be fine up to a 11/36 rear

As mentioned the one you need to run a shadow plus clutched mech which is the "zee" type shimano option for 2 x (X) set ups.

Assuing you will be staying with Shimano that is.

The secret rider

Have you also checked the chain is in the rear mech the right way

97th choice

The secret rider wrote:

It matters not what the "middle" ring is as such the zee is only capable of running with a SINGLE ring on the front. Not the two rings you have.

The short cage is the one with limited capacity the wide cage is the one you have there and that will be fine up to a 11/36 rear

As mentioned the one you need to run a shadow plus clutched mech which is the "zee" type shimano option for 2 x (X) set ups.

Assuing you will be staying with Shimano that is.

He's going single ring, he just hasn't changed to it yet and is setting up using the 38t as his reference point.

*AJ*

You sized the chain correctly, but what you didn't take in to account is that the chain needs to be longer at full travel.

Remove the air from the shock and compress the rear of the bike and you will see the rear mech get stretched as you compress it until the jockey wheel hits the biggest cog.

If you put a link or 2 back in you should be fine.

What the others have said is right though, you'll find the chain to be too long on the smallest chain ring so i'd avoid using it and do your 1x10 conversion asap.

The Northern Monkey

KevChallis wrote:

What do you class as middle ring, I only have a 24 or 38 up front, and this was set up on the 38, although, when I shortened the chain, I put the chain around both big rings and then added 2 links, is this the correct way, I see so many different ways

Surely I should be able to get it to work purely on the 38t chain ring?

Get all the correct parts fitted and start from scratch.

No point in setting the bike up if you're about to change things.

oodboo

Will the Shimano Zee mech work woth the SRAM shifters?

Been out the scene for a bit but I know they never used to be compatible.

97th choice

I think he's changed his shifter, if he hasn't that will also explain a lot.

Basically right components on first, then set up correctly.

oodboo

I see, think he means slx where he put sox.

The secret rider

oodboo wrote:

Will the Shimano Zee mech work woth the SRAM shifters?

Been out the scene for a bit but I know they never used to be compatible.

No, it will be the wrong pull ratio.

Are you certain the mech is the wide cage one ? have you checked the box. ?

KevChallis

Yup, it's wide ratio.

Yeah, was going to stay 2x10 for a while, but will get the parts ordered later to finish the conversion, one question, will I need a crank puller? I know (from other threads) I will need narrow wide chainring, I will go for a 34, and single ring chainring bolts. Anything else, thanks all for your help, I appreciate it

97th choice

Try taking the rings off now to see, if you had a triple you would but I don't know about a double.

The secret rider

I know from experience that normal single ring bolts don't work (not long enough) pull need specific ones like the e thirteen jobbies s

KevChallis

yeah, ordered 34t Race Face Narrow Wide chain ring, and some ethirteen single ring bolts

The secret rider

34t hey ... Someone's feeling strong