Rear derailleur & chain length

gdiddy

Hi,

I'm waiting on delivery for a shinny new Canyon Ultimate and super excited.
It's comes with semi compact 52/36 x 11-28 with a short cage rear derailleur and there is no option for change this.

I'm just wondering about swapping out the cassette to an 11-30 for that extra bailout for hills. Would I need to have a longer chain? I have a section of brand new 11 speed 105 chain (7-8 links), left from when I changed the chain on my old bike. With a couple of pins/powerlinks can I split a couple of 105 links into an Ultegra chain?

I've only ever ridden a compact chainset so don't know if the two extra teeth in a semi will make that much difference?

Thanks in advance

Gary

svetty

The Shadow series rear mechs are more sensitive to correct chain length than the older designs. You're probably not going to need to change chain length but it depends a little on how optimal the chain fit is on the bike as supplied. If it is marginal on length you might need to add a pair of links.

StillGoing

You'll be fine with 52/36 with an 11-28 cassette unless you're really unfit or riding up Porlock Hill, Dunkery, etc etc where even a 30 might not be enough. If that's the case, I'd be more inclined to switch the chain rings on the cranks for some cheap 50/34 and keep the 11-28.

gdiddy

philthy3 wrote:

You'll be fine with 52/36 with an 11-28 cassette unless you're really unfit or riding up Porlock Hill, Dunkery, etc etc where even a 30 might not be enough. If that's the case, I'd be more inclined to switch the chain rings on the cranks for some cheap 50/34 and keep the 11-28.

Mt Ventoux mate! I did it last year on 50/34 - 11-28. I'm going back fitter this year, but thinking the 11-30 may give me that extra bailout and a similar ratio to 50/34 - 11-28 if I need a bailout.

Or do you think the difference is minimal?

StillGoing

Well 34-28 gives a ratio of 1.21 and 36-28 a ratio of 1.29. At 70rpm that's 10.67kph with a 34 inner ring and 11.37kph with the 36.