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Chain length change with smaller cassette?
I am hoping for a simple answer here but when my bike was brought it came with a 11-32 cassette and I am guessing canyon gave me the optimum chain length for it. However I immediately swapped it out for a 11-28 (the other is gathering dust - I will never use it).
I didn't shorten the chain and on replacing the chain I have just kept it the same but due to change it and wondered if I should shorten it my one link? Two links? Is there a rule of thumb?
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6 comments
If you do shorten an existing chain, shorten it the opposite side from the existing link.
I've swapped to my winter wheels on my tourer which have a 30 rather than 34 big cog and I didn't shorten the chain. No significant issues although shifting is a fraction slower.
One link shorter would be correct- the lowest sprocket is 4 teeth fewer , so the chain path is two teeth less. 1 link = 2 teeth.
Most chains come with 114 half links (57 full) and then you can take it down to size with a chain splitter. One full link between 32 and 28 sounds about right to me, thinking of the size of the sprockets involved.
OK checking that link (pun intended) it shifts one link between 32 and 28 cassette so in theory if they supplied me with the right size chain I can just reduce it by one link
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/chainlengthcalc....
As I remember it Shimano say put it on big and big and add 1 link.