Hi all,
I've swapped my wheels equipped with a 12 speed 105 cassette to my gravel bike, which is normally running a 1×11 GRX setup. I swapped the chain (KMC X12) over too as I've read that 11 speed chains don't work as well on 12 speed casettes, vs the other way around.
Any reason the GRX chainring would cause issues? As you can see in the pics, the chain sits well, but I'm not sure if there are some gaps to be concerned about.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
by oh___hi___mark
6 Comments
Do you expect the 11s derailleur and shifter to play well with the 12s cassette?
Chain should do fine as long as you don’t use a flat top chain for sram 12 speed stuff
12 speed chain (not flat top) will be fine on 11 speed cassette. The smallest internal width is the same. But that 12 speed cassette won’t work with the 11 speed derailleur and shifter
Chainring worn out?
The inner width should be identical so you’ll have no big issues. The difference is that 12-speed are a bit narrower externally hence why running the 11s chain on the 12s system causes problems.
Do me a favor and take a bristle brush or small flathead screwdriver and dig all that grunge out from under the edge of that chain?
Should not be an issue, but some chains are truly “incompatible “ on newer drivetrains. Within Shimano, the narrower version of a chain usually works as well or better. The wider chain will not ever work on the cassette, though. (very specific tolerances between the cogs)