Longer chain for new cassette?

jd843

Hi,

My easiest gear at the moment is 34-28, but I'm considering swapping my 11-28 cassette for an 11-32 instead (I live in the Lake District and some of the hills just kill me, eg the 14% gradient outside my front door). After some googling, I'm pretty sure my derailleur can handle it (it's a medium cage, so would it be ok?), but I think I read that I'd need two extra links in my chain.

What would the best way of doing this be? The chain is fairly new, so it seems a shame to get a whole new one.

Thanks in advance.

gazza1286

Personally I would just buy a new chain. Presumably you have the spare links available.
You've got two options really.
If you're already using a speed link you could used a second one to daisy chain the new links in.
Alternatively you need two shimano pins you add the extra links. This would effectively mean that the chain would be running on three pins. Two of which are virtually next to each other. Not good.

Before you begin don't assume that your existing chain is the optimal length. It could be too long already meaning you're good to go.

There are a number online guides to check plus an app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... e.afwd.clc

jd843

gazza1286 wrote:

Personally I would just buy a new chain. Presumably you have the spare links available.
You've got two options really.
If you're already using a speed link you could used a second one to daisy chain the new links in.
Alternatively you need two shimano pins you add the extra links. This would effectively mean that the chain would be running on three pins. Two of which are virtually next to each other. Not good.

Before you begin don't assume that your existing chain is the optimal length. It could be too long already meaning you're good to go.

There are a number online guides to check plus an app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... e.afwd.clc

Good shout - I just used an online calculator for chain length and it says 54 links for 34-32 (and 53 links for 34-28). I just counted (and re-counted to double check) and I've got 54.

arlowood

I wouldn't be bothered agonizing over the length of your existing chain.

If you're buying a new cassette it's always good practice to change your chain at the same time. Even partly worn chains can cause issues on a new cassette.

My go-to online calculator for chain length is in the link below

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/b ... hcalc.html

jd843

arlowood wrote:

I wouldn't be bothered agonizing over the length of your existing chain.

If you're buying a new cassette it's always good practice to change your chain at the same time. Even partly worn chains can cause issues on a new cassette.

My go-to online calculator for chain length is in the link below

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/b ... hcalc.html

Ah yeah, that's the one I used before. I've probably only done about 300 miles on my chain, but I guess it's not much of an extra expense to replace it with the cassette.

Am I right in thinking I'll be ok with my medium cage derailleur, with 50/34 and 11-32?

cooldad

Check the tech docs for your mech. It will need a range of at least 37.

arlowood

jd843 wrote:

Am I right in thinking I'll be ok with my medium cage derailleur, with 50/34 and 11-32?

Yes the medium cage (GS) derailleur is standard issue where you have the 11-32 cassette married to a 50/34 compact chainset