will chains become too short?

[02gf74]

Ive been forced to go 11 speed, 32t front and 11-42 cassette. Fitting the chain using big-big ring method, i did not need to remove any links from the kmc x11sl chain, in other words all 112 links are required.

Now if this had been xl frame, or twin or triple chainring set up or 50t on the rear, it is likely that 112 links werent going to be enough, which poses a bit of a problem.

 

[cce]

there are 114, 116 and 118 link chains available

 

[02gf74]

Agreed, although not seen 118 myself. Maybe coz im buying top end lightweight chains from china/taiwan, sometimes unboxed, that they are pinching a couple of links, or maybe that is standard length for this chain??


Actually i stamd corrected, 114 and 116 are available for a few quid more.

 

[Muddy paw]

I think you'll find most chain's on average have 116 links and on most standard mtb setups you'll find the chain trimmed to between 111-112 links when 1st setup by the manufacturer ..

 

[cce]

And, given that two out of the three "big" chain manufacturers* are groupset manufacturers, (SRAM and Shimano) it's pretty safe to bet they'll always produce chains to fit their stuff


*shimano chains are manufactured by KMC, so that's them covered too.

 

[The History Man]

Post brexit will there be a British standard chain length?

My xl 29er 3x10 used all the links.

 

[02gf74]

Thinking about it, it is the larger wheel size that causes the problem as we used to have 42-32 but other way round. Im not saying chains wont be made but we need to keep an eye on the number of links, something not needed before, when buying chains for 29 in bikes.

So shimano chains really made by kmc?

Ideally id lime to buy chain by the metre. In fact, why isnt it sold like that, like for gear cable outer, seems so wasteful to pavkage individual chains sold in a shop.