New chain, too long?

[50K]

So I had to go through with all my much needed repairs myself (which was fun to do and learn new things) and I noticed that after installing chain and rear deraileur that the chain and pulley wheels were extremely close to the mech, do I need to remove some links? Do chains normally come with a certain number of links so that they can be used between bikes that have different gear setups?

The derailleur was not hardly stretched and and was more retracted if that makes any sense? If the bike was upside down the chain would rub against the derailleur wheels when in motion.
Got a feeling there is a special term in the industry for this scenario...

After noticing this, I still had loads of things to do on the bike including all the new adjustments, readjusting my front derailleur with new cable etc. looking at the bike now I don't see the issue anymore. what was it?

 

[50K]

And another one, I don't think my rear hanger is bent but would you recommend to buy a spare incase the manufacturer desides to discontinue making them?

 

[ianrauk]

Yes chains come with extra links as people have different sized gearing.

The easiest thing to do is get your old chain. Put some newspaper down. Stretch the old chain out. Get the new chain, stretch it out beside the old one link for link. Get a chain tool and remove the extra links on the new one.

You Tube is your friend for plenty of 'How To' videos.

 

[Cycleops]

Firstly @50K hello and welcome to the forum.

Some pics of your set up might be helpful. You don't say if you installed the new chain as is without removing any links but it's likely you'll need to do that.
Here's a video to show how you size a chain:


View: https://youtu.be/Vg2SoOOrpE8


There are three methods, I use method one but you can choose whichever suits. If you have the old chain match the new to it link to link as Ian suggests, this would be easiest.

 

[MichaelW2]

Parktools shows several different methods of calculating chain length

 

[Ajax Bay]

I don't think my rear hanger is bent but would you recommend to buy a spare incase

You should be able to tell if the rear mech alignment is vertical (and therefore the hanger is not bent, but @screenman is the RMA aficianado on here.
Most people do not buy a spare hanger. The exception is that those undertaking long tours or audaxes (ie multi-day) often carry a spare as a broken hanger is a ride ending event: there are hundreds of different ones and you'd be very lucky to find the right hanger (in stock) even if you were able to get to five different bike shops.

 

[mjr]

The easiest thing to do is get your old chain. Put a lot of newspaper down. Stretch the old chain out. Get the new chain, stretch it out beside the old one link for link. Get a chain tool and remove the extra links on the new one.

Fixed that for you - chains seem surprisingly long to many people once they're not wrapped around a bike. Uncut ones are typically a bit under 3m long, if I remember correctly.

 

[mjr]

a broken hanger is a ride ending event

It's not always, but at best you'll be riding a single-speed from then on: cut the chain to run it directly in whichever gear gives you an acceptable chain tension and ideally a straightish chainline. Oh and either be very disciplined in not touching the front shifter, or fix the front mech in place with the limit screws (and maybe disconnect the cable).

 

[ianrauk]

Fixed that for you - chains seem surprisingly long to many people once they're not wrapped around a bike. Uncut ones are typically a bit under 3m long, if I remember correctly.

Your wrong about the length. Shorter.

And please don't ever change one of my posts again Thanks.

 

[mjr]

Your wrong about the length. Shorter.

It seems I doubled something when converting the length. Still longer than most people expect.

And please don't ever change one of my posts again Thanks.

Sorry, what I did is currently allowed on this forum and I won't remember to apply special rules to you.

 

[Ajax Bay]

A link is one inch long. Most chains are sold with 116 links. Math.
You may not remember but Ian will, @mrj

 

[slowmotion]

I use this calculator. It seems to work.
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/chainlengthcalc.html

 

[Jackmaster]

It seems I doubled something when converting the length. Still longer than most people expect.


Sorry, what I did is currently allowed on this forum and I won't remember to apply special rules to you.

When someone is wrong but can't face up to it. Then takes a polite request from someone with more privileges than you on a forum.

Apart from the potential imploding fireworks why has no one mentioned that it's probably not best practice to be working on a bike upside down?!!

Priorities people - haha!

 

[Ajax Bay]

Got a feeling there is a special term in the industry for this scenario...

It's called "2longa chain"

it's probably not best practice to be working on a bike upside down

In defence of the (new to forum) OP, he used the conditional 'if' clause: "If the bike was upside down" ie if gravity was operating towards the jockey wheel - to illustrate that the cage could not wrap (his too long) chain enough. So that's probably why noone has mentioned the practice that did not happen.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I use this calculator. It seems to work.
http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/chainlengthcalc.html

You're wasting your breath. That link has been posted countless times but people still insist on recommending some sort of Vodoo ritual.