chain length

[andrewsdad]

Hi I was hoping you guys can advise me, your advice before has always been spot on. Anyway I've decided to change my rear 8speed cassette 11/27 to a 12/26 do I need to shorten or lengthen my chain. Many thanks guys.

 

[Brommyboy]

The smallest chain difference is 2 links, which equates to a 4T difference on sprocket or chain ring. For 1T difference on your larger size, no change necessary.

 

[andrewsdad]

The smallest chain difference is 2 links, which equates to a 4T difference on sprocket or chain ring. For 1T difference on your larger size, no change necessary.

Great thankyou for your reply

 

[Yellow Saddle]

The smallest chain difference is 2 links, which equates to a 4T difference on sprocket or chain ring. For 1T difference on your larger size, no change necessary.

I agree, but you might want to define a link. There is confusion around this one.

 

[Brommyboy]

Each link is 1/2" so two are needed when adjusting length! One is an inner one, the other an outer, so links work in pairs.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Each link is 1/2" so two are needed when adjusting length! One is an inner one, the other an outer, so links work in pairs.

No, a link is a two-part affair. One link is one inch in length. Think of a half-link chain and it will be clear.

 

[ayceejay]

More than you could ever possibly need to know about chains, there length and what a link is http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/chain_length_calculator.html

 

[MichaelW2]

parktools has 3 different methods of determining chain length

 

[andrewsdad]

More than you could ever possibly need to know about chains, there length and what a link is http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/chain_length_calculator.html

Many thanks

 

[andrewsdad]

parktools has 3 different methods of determining chain length

Thanks.

 

[Brommyboy]

No, a link is a two-part affair. One link is one inch in length. Think of a half-link chain and it will be clear.

If a chain link is 1" (one pair) then a new chain at 116L is 116" or 9'8" long.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

If a chain link is 1" (one pair) then a new chain at 116L is 116" or 9'8" long.

That's the wrong way of looking at it. A link is the smallest unit that can be removed so that the chain can still form a continuous loop. A link is a two-part affair.
By your reasoning one cannot remove a link from a chain and re-assemble the chain. In that world we will only have half-link chains.

 

[midlife]

Pintle chains can be shortened by one link but seem to recall they are track size only. Can you cheat and get half links nowadays. Just curious as I'm more 1970's retro

Shaun