This may seem like a stupid question, but I don’t know the answer. I am changing my chain out and know that I have to shorten the new one. Comparing the new chain to the old, the links don’t line up exactly because of the old chain stretching. Should I cut the new chain to the link shorter or longer?
Thanks for the help,
T
Don’t bother comparing the chains. There’s a couple ways to get the right length, but an easy rule of thumb is to make a big loop with the chain over the big ring in front and the biggest cog in back, not going through the rear derailleur. Take the length all the way around, and add two links.
Once you’re done, you can check the length. With the chain routed through the derailleur, and on the big chainring and big cog, you should still have an “s” bend though the derailleru. In other words, the pulleys should not be so fully extended that the chain passes through in a straight line. Shift to the smallest chainring and smallest cog, and now check that the rear pulleys don’t contact eachother or the cassette and the chain doesn’t sag.
If you are really confused you should count the number of links… but then again if your chain has stretched to the point that it is half a link too long you may have to replace your cogs…
Thread the chain through the rear derailleur pulleys and around the small chain ring. Make sure that the chain is guided along your smallest cog on your cassette. Pull enough tension in the chain; bring the ends together until the chain no longer runs against the frame that holds the pulleys about one-2 centimeters below the pulleys. Cut the chain at the point where you can effectively match the two ends of the chain.
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The shorter link is how I do it. That should get you very close.
-Robert