52-36 to 50-34 will I need to alter chain length?

Sportiveman
Sportiveman Posts: 158
edited September 2018 in Workshop
Hi
I’m going to be going from a semi compact 52-36 (currently fitted ) to a compact 50-34 chainset but will I need to shorten the length of the chain or will it be ok as is ?

Comments

  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Depends what cassette you have or intend to fit.
  • Sportiveman
    Sportiveman Posts: 158
    At the moment it is fitted with a 11speed 11-28 Cassette and Short Cage mech . Which I will keep just going to change the chainset .
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    chain length should be fine as it is....
  • dodgy
    dodgy Posts: 2,890
    Should be ok, you'll know when you fit it.

    Sorry for asking, you've probably already thought this through, but are you changing the chainset because it's worn out, or are you looking for lower gears? If the current chainset is fine, changing the cassette to an 11-30 will get you a lower overall gear on your current 36 front chainset than an 11-28 on a 34. Assuming your rear derailleur can cope with a 30 tooth on the back.

    Just thought I'd mention in case you can save a few quid.
  • Sportiveman
    Sportiveman Posts: 158
    Thanks that’s what I was hoping will swap it and see. I’m gonna keep it at 11-28 and see how I get on then if want lower gearing will go longcage and 11-32 for price of 11-30 Cassette I picked up my chainset plus if further lower gearing is needed be better with a compact .
  • Andymaxy
    Andymaxy Posts: 197
    You should be fine. If you feel there is too much slack in the chain(bouncing too much going over bumps), then shorten it by one or two links.
  • Sportiveman
    Sportiveman Posts: 158
    Will the front mech need moving down ?
  • Andymaxy
    Andymaxy Posts: 197
    Sportiveman wrote:
    Will the front mech need moving down ?

    Try moving it down by just 1mm at a time. 52-36 to 50-34 is not a major change.
  • jack_flap
    jack_flap Posts: 40
    How did you (or anyone else who has done this) get on?

    I'm planning on doing the same, but just for a couple of weeks so ideally want to keep the same chain.
  • Vino'sGhost
    Vino'sGhost Posts: 4,129
    Jack Flap wrote:
    How did you (or anyone else who has done this) get on?

    I'm planning on doing the same, but just for a couple of weeks so ideally want to keep the same chain.

    it should be ok but you wont know until you try im afraid.

    The length of chain stay, and way it was set up initially will have a bearing, the purpose of a rear mech is to move the chain across the cogs but also take up the slack. If its not at the slack end of things now the mech may well take up the introduced slack and it will be business as usual. I suspect all will be well.

    but if not, remove a link.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Sportiveman wrote:
    Will the front mech need moving down ?
    Yes if you want optimal shifting with lowest chance of unshipping the chain. The cable tension will also need adjustment.
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • jack_flap
    jack_flap Posts: 40
    Thanks, yes chain length seems to work fine, after lowering front mech and adjusting cable tension.

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