10
votes
How to determine chain length on a Brompton?
There is no one standard Brompton chain length; there are 4 different ones for the various sanctioned drivetrains.
For nonstandard Brompton drivetrains, I've had good luck using the longest length ...
- 76.9k
9
votes
Drivetrain 1x12 or 2x10 for my MTB use case?
Assuming that the recommended cassettes/chainrings are proposed, ranges will be equivalent.
36/26 chainrings, 11/42 cassette for the 2x10: 523%
10/51 for the 1x12: 510% (for 1x, the range of doesn't ...
- 13.6k
9
votes
Drivetrain 1x12 or 2x10 for my MTB use case?
For your use case of 'universal' (many would call this oldschool XC) riding you want the widest gear range possible to allow pedalling up both steep climbs, but also on non technical downhills.
At the ...
- 17.8k
9
votes
Can I update a decade-old mountain bike to modern standards?
A large 11-speed cassette with 26" rear wheel is tricky. The derailleur arm is very long in comparison to the wheel and the ground clearance is quite poor. But a good news is that usual hubs are ...
- 14.6k
9
votes
Can I update a decade-old mountain bike to modern standards?
Despite the massive moves and designed obsolesce, with marketing and social media driving all the hype over the latest and greatest next best thing, the parts to maintain the bike are readily ...
- 46.1k
9
votes
Accepted
Convert the number of teeth in a chain-based drive train to the number of teeth in a gates-based drive train
You just need the same tooth ratio. The fact that it’s a belt drive with a different tooth size/shape doesn’t change anything about it.
There will be some size/availability constraints (since you can’...
- 25.2k
6
votes
9/10 speed chain with vintage 2x5 crankset
Usually doing this on random old road cranks works without issue. You may find it's necessary or helpful to go to a front derailleur that matches the chain width. The reason is that if you run an FD ...
- 76.9k
6
votes
Drivetrain 1x12 or 2x10 for my MTB use case?
Not covered and answers already is durability and cost. A 12 speed drive train costs a lot more than a 10 speed, so when if comes time to replace worn (and broken) components, a 10 speed setup will ...
- 46.1k
6
votes
Can I update a decade-old mountain bike to modern standards?
TLDR: "modernizing the bike" will bring loads of complications for questionable benefits, and serious drawbacks in all cases.
About the availability of the standards:
QR: still the norm on ...
- 13.6k
6
votes
Convert the number of teeth in a chain-based drive train to the number of teeth in a gates-based drive train
Some completely identical ratios:
11 teeth in front, 4 in back
22 teeth in front, 8 in back
33 teeth in front, 12 in back
44 teeth in front, 16 in back
55 teeth in front, 20 in back
66 teeth in front,...
- 16k
6
votes
Inexpensive mods for decathlon 7 speed road bike
It all comes down to your budget. I'd love a new bike, but it would be a significant cost.
Instead you should address specific points
What bothers/hurts you? The saddle is one of the three main ...
- 114k
5
votes
Boardman Comp Hybrid 2012 - Suggestions for cheap way to get much lower gearing?
If your numbers are correct, you have a 34:32 gear combo, which gives you 28.9 gear inches assuming 622mm wheels at 35mm diameter. You have 123 gear inches in 50:11.
If you have a current bike, work ...
- 114k
5
votes
I need help with total capacity of rear derailleur
You only need 21t total capacity (32-11).
If you are looking at currently produced mountain rear derailleurs, the conversation here isn't about total capacity, because they all have more than that. If ...
- 76.9k
4
votes
Something feels like brake rub but isn't brake rub
Check the routing of the chain around the derailleur.
I've had a case where the chain was riding on the metal nubbin but it wasn't loud or noticeable, because that's on the low tension side of the ...
- 114k
4
votes
Accepted
Recommended torque for belt port in rear triangle?
Something is wrong with the installation of the new front sprocket that's causing the belt to ride up like that. That's not normal and you shouldn't ride it. It looks like it's happening in the same ...
- 76.9k
3
votes
Boardman Comp Hybrid 2012 - Suggestions for cheap way to get much lower gearing?
The X5 is a good derailleur and should be able to handle up to a 36t cassette without any problem. If you want to avoid changing the chain length (perhaps if it's new and you don't want to waste it), ...
- 12.4k
3
votes
Accepted
Will a 11 speed Shimano Deore crankset work with a 9 speed Shimano Altus cassette? [MTB]
Technically, 1x chainrings are quite universal, so you would be able to have a "working bike" if you do that. But 1x drivetrains came with some other changes (wide range cassettes + clutch ...
- 13.6k
3
votes
Chain skipping teeth while staying on small front chainring
Smaller front chainring leaves more free chain so check if the derailleur tension spring is still active and not completely out of range. This would manifest the most obviously with the smallest ...
- 6,752
3
votes
Can a 12 speed Shimano micro spline cassette be used with SRAM Eagle 12 speed components?
Too bad these comments are 2years old, but I’ve found out the hard way that there are no microspline cassettes that will work with my AXS electronic derailleur. I put a MS 125 10-52T cassette with ...
- 31
3
votes
Accepted
Premature chain wear GX Eagle
I found the answer and i was just stomping the chain too hard. I switched my riding style and am switching gear constantly now based on the terrain instead of stomping through. this greatly increases ...
- 173
3
votes
9/10 speed chain with vintage 2x5 crankset
I successfully use a triple crankset with chainrings from a 15 speed (3x5) with a 9 speed rear cassette and mech. The chain is a 9 speed, and it all works well enough as a 27 speed, (3x9)
Remember ...
- 114k
3
votes
Inexpensive mods for decathlon 7 speed road bike
You probably don't need to change the brakes. I'm in the U.S., and looking up prices on a U.S.-based website, it looks like you can get Tourney STI levers for $85, and a new handlebar for $25 (note: ...
- 27.4k
3
votes
What do I need to consider when updating my Cannondale Topstone 4 groupset?
I've got the Topstone with 105 (2x11), and the shifting is better than the rather tired Sora (3x9) setup on my tourer - but not by much; if I renewed everything on the tourer the biggest difference by ...
- 52.8k
3
votes
What do I need to consider when updating my Cannondale Topstone 4 groupset?
We are all glad you are getting more interested in the sport! I am not going to directly answer the question you asked, because others have. I'm providing some possible other considerations.
Often, it ...
- 25.1k
3
votes
Shimano FC-RS510 compatibility with Shimano Ultegra 6800 and Shimano R7000
In the Shimano universe, their compatibility charts are very handy.
This chart only shows the 11 and 12 speed road groups, but the same collection of bottom brackets exist in the corresponding 10 ...
- 5,475
2
votes
9 speed cassette and shifter with an 11 speed derailleur, will it work?
it's an old discussion but worth a response in case someone is looking for it... 11 speed shimano are compatibile with 9 speed cassette with a 9 speed SRAM (it's important) shifter. Also 12 speed sram ...
2
votes
Why did Shimano change their rear derailleur design going from a torsion spring to a tension spring inside the parallelogram?
Shimano made the change from a torsion spring to a tension spring in the parallelogram of their rear derailleurs for a few reasons. One reason is that the tension spring allows for more precise and ...
2
votes
Can a counterfeit Shimano chain be used on an authentic Shimano drivetrain?
Quite a delayed answer, plus, it is based on my experience with just one fake chain, but still can be useful to somebody.
I bought a Shimano 11 gear chain for a lower than expected but not too low ...
- 121
2
votes
Dangerous feature on a new 20" wheel kids bike? EZBuild pedals
This is garbage. My nine year old is an inexperienced bike rider. No tricks, no hard use. After a year the pins that lock the pedal in place have bent and now the pedal will no longer hold its ...
- 21
2
votes
Premature chain wear GX Eagle
Expanding on a comment I made: manufacturers put surface coatings on their premium chains. Shimano and Campagnolo add low-friction coatings. SRAM adds what I think is a chrome-based treatment to their ...
- 25.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible