chain length

[matthew71]

is there a sure fire,idiot proof way to work out a chain length?

 

[Sithlord]

From the great man himself :

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

 

[02gf74]

chain on largest chain wheel and largest rear sprocket, then add 2 links.

(when doing this, chain does not go trough the rear derailluer)
works for me. :idea:

 

[matthew71]

chain

From the great man himself :

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

nearly as great as yourself si

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

chain on largest chain wheel and largest rear sprocket, then add 2 links.

(when doing this, chain does not go trough the rear derailluer)
works for me. :idea:

Same here, Works perfectly every time.

 

[bm0p700f]

That Big Big method is the one to use. There is a mathematical way present on the Park tool website if you are so inclinded but I am a former maths teacher and even I cannot be bothered with that method.

Quick note if you bike is a full susser you need to position the rear wheel so it is at its furthest point from the BB otherwise in big big (not that you should be when you hit something you may rip the mech of.

 

[silverclaws]

From Richard Ballantine and Richard Grant's Book; The Ultimate Bicycle Book :

Short-arm derailleur and double chainrings:you need a length of chain to pass over a large chainring and large cog, without going through the derailleur arm, plus two links extra. Long-arm derailleur and triple chainrings: with the chain through the derailleur arm and over the large chainring and small cog, the derailleur arm should point straight at the ground.

Works for me, and from it I have ascertained the chain on my current ( new for me ),bike is curiously two links too long, but it is the original Shimano IG chain and I am not messing with it until I can source and afford a new or less worn drive train.

 

[matthew71]

chain

new chain fitted and runs like a peach

 

[skinnyboy]

i do big cog to big ring, leave out the mech and ensure the chain is tight to the nearest link, then drop one for the powerlink. Never fails!

Yesterdays chain job, a Wipperman, with power link, dropped 4 main links off this, probably due to the dinner plate big ring. I used the left over links as a keyring.

 

[Pipmeister]

Long-arm derailleur and triple chainrings: with the chain through the derailleur arm and over the large chainring and small cog, the derailleur arm should point straight at the ground.

I find that this method works well by accommodating the chain length required for Long Cage/ Short Cage Mech – Triple/Double Chain Ring.
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Small Chain Ring to smallest Sprocket, with the Rear Mech cage resting, or nearly resting on the Chain.

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The same set-up in a gear that would be actually used when riding - large Chain Ring to middle Sprocket, which I find to be about right.

Pip.