Stupid chain question

bendertherobot
bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
edited June 2018 in Road general
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?
My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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Comments

  • grahamcp
    grahamcp Posts: 323
    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
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    I have! My question is whether the quick link is the 114th link.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    (I've ordered so will find out tomorrow)
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • mamil314
    mamil314 Posts: 1,103
    I chopped off like 4 or 5 links for that gear combo
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 5,848
    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.
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,623
    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
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 5,848
    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! :lol:
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Yeah, I’d not changed the chain stay lengthy on the calculator. Will count what comes off then put the right measurements in.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 25,840
    Yup. Stupid question. :wink:
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • spankwilder
    spankwilder Posts: 169
    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
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    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
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    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?
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • mankybianchi
    mankybianchi Posts: 117
    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
    darkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    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
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    But it needs to be longer?
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 25,840
    Put it on the bike. Measure. Chop. Fit. Done. No need to think. :wink:

    Stop using method 3, and use method 1.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vg2SoOOrpE8
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    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.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoat
    N0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 5,848
    But is that 54 links plus the KMC quick link, or 55 plus the link? :twisted:
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    55 inc.....

    All done.
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.
  • darkhairedlord
    darkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    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
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    #bows #takesapplause
    My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
    https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
    Facebook? No. Just say no.

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