So I’m building up this cannondale ST1000, got a shimano sora 50-34 chainring(s) and an 11-34 cassette. Chain that came with the ‘build kit’ I got from eBay was too short (shimano hg53), about a link away from touching w/o master link.
Went to LBS and got the sram 9speed chain, mainly because at this spot their shimano chains didn’t come with master link. It’s 114 links.
Anyways I’m bummed bc looks like it’s the same issue. Is my gear ratio nuts, do I just need to get 116 link chain, or do I have to connect 2 chains? All advice is appreciated, trying not to sulk after yet another trip to bike shop that wasn’t my last one 🙃
by wbrown64
5 Comments
I had the same issue on my Monster Gravel build so I just connected two chains (of the same brand and model). Some folks will advise against that but I think that’s just absurd parroting on their part.
The other option was to get an ebike chain which is like 136 links.
Install the chain and show us what the drivetrain looks like in the big cog / big chainring.
50-34 to 11-34 isn’t weird at all. Think it’s your longer chain stay that’s causing the problem.
You’re using the big-big method, right? So largest chainring and largest cog and bypassing the rear derailleur. In this case the reference rivet lines up perfectly with your master link and you’ll need to add two extra link to the chain.
If this is all the chain you got, it’s two links short. It will depend on your derailleur and the tension on the chain if it will be an issue on the largest chainring and largest cog combination. I’d make one chain from two chains, like you mentioned, and use a connecting rivet to attach the extra two links.
My chain stay length is 18”+- or about 45cm fwiw. Maybe combination of that and big gearing? Guess I’m equally focused on a workaround and making sure I didn’t set myself up for a non-effective drivetrain.
I know I’ve been out of the industry for a while, but I thought a standard chain came with 120 links, which gave a few extra on a road bike, but often a few short for an MTB.