Stupid chain question

bendertherobot

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x11-el-11-s ... in-silver/

114 links

So, Javascript chain thingy says that for 50/34 and 11-32t I need 57 links.

Each link being two parts so 114.

Is the KMC chain 114 links INCLUSIVE of the connector meaning I don't have to cut it at all?

grahamcp

Personally I'd only use an online calculator as a guide. I recently stuck a new chain on having already binned the old one without remembering to count the links, the online guide actually came up too short so it was a good job I erred on the side of caution and left an extra link or two on when I chopped it.

bendertherobot

I have! My question is whether the quick link is the 114th link.

bendertherobot

(I've ordered so will find out tomorrow)

mamil314

I chopped off like 4 or 5 links for that gear combo

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Will keep an eye on this thread, my Cube is due its first chain replacement, which has the same 34/50 chainrings and 11-32 cassette.

Not sure which model I've got, but I've a kmc chain in my spares box.

mrb123

I put one of those chains straight on to a bike with 50/34 and 11/32 with no cutting. Appeared to be the same length (including the quick link) as the chain originally fitted.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Just used the Chain Length Calculator app that I remembered I had installed...

My 58cm Cube has 41.5cm chain stays, with 50 largest chainring and 32 largest sprocket, app says 55 complete links.

So 4 half links to come off, but that still doesn't clarify if that takes account of the kmc quick links!

bendertherobot

Yeah, I’d not changed the chain stay lengthy on the calculator. Will count what comes off then put the right measurements in.

pblakeney

Yup. Stupid question.

spankwilder

Gears in the biggest rings and then chop off enough to not make the rear mech look ridiculous. If you're a XC weeny; chop off too much, make the mech look ridiculous and save a few grams.

bendertherobot

So, I haven't counted it yet but, it seems, the point is academic.

My CURRENT length is 54 links (INC the quick link)

Chainstay is 405mm or 15.94 inches.

Current gearing is 50/34 and 11-30 which suggests, using the calculator, that 55 links SHOULD be on there already.

So, 50/34 and 11-32 seems to also require 55 links .

Agreed?

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

My error in the original post was having not done my chainstay length properly. Also I've selected oversized mech

bendertherobot

So, I've not put the new chain on yet, left the 54 link old one on:

This is 50/32 (which it shouldn't be in, of course)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2vDLW2SEcDLipzNK9

And this is 34/32

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hwoFiQmXGr9isUwEA

the latter looks ok actually

So, machinehead says 55 links, that should do it, right?

mankybianchi

Also put chain on small/small combination - the derailleur should be pretty horizontal so ensure the upper pulley is not contacting the run of the chain below it, if that makes sense

darkhairedlord

Take off the old chain and hang it off of a s rew driver with the new one next to it. Draw the chains through your thumb and forefinger to keep in line (corrects for stretch by keeping the links aligned between the chains) until you get to the bottom. That is how long it needs to be. If not use the shimano calc for your rear derrailiur. If not bungle should be able to help.

bendertherobot

But it needs to be longer?

pblakeney

Put it on the bike. Measure. Chop. Fit. Done. No need to think.

Stop using method 3, and use method 1.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg2SoOOrpE8

bendertherobot

Thing is, only the machinehead calculator takes into account the long cage mech so it suggests 55 rather than all of the other methods 54.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

But is that 54 links plus the KMC quick link, or 55 plus the link? :twisted:

bendertherobot

55 inc.....

All done.

darkhairedlord

bendertherobot wrote:

55 inc.....

All done.

the crowd goes wild, Bender has fitted his chain!
Mind you don't damage the chainstay from too much chainslap...

bendertherobot

#bows #takesapplause