Small to small big to big

[Dogtrousers]

I'm not a competitive cyclist by any stretch of the imagination. If you are a recreational rider, I really wouldn't worry about "cross-chaining" at all. My rule of thumb is that if the chain sounds OK, it's probably quite happy. If it chatters a bit, put it somewhere else where it sounds happier. I'm not a big believer in all that chain wear stuff.

+1

You can over-think these things. I think of cross chaining as being a bit like having your flies undone. It's not something that you go out to do, and if you notice, you rectify the situation. Habit makes sure it doesn't happen too often.

If you're riding a double, then use the little ring for lowish gears and the big ring for high-ish gears. Change when the terrain/situation demands. That will generally keep you from cross-chaining. Life's too short to be constantly looking back at your cassette and counting sprockets.

A little bit of cross-chaining on a double now and then isn't going to wreck your bike. Riding for long distances cross chained will do it no good, but you'd have to actively go out and decide to do that to have any real effect.

 

[Ajax Bay]

So for an 11 speed you've only got 9? Seems a waste of a couple of gears for me!

I know you don't mean this, Justin, but. On a 1 x 11 you would not 'waste' the top and bottom gear; you'd use them. But on a 2 x 11/10/9 the 'crossed chain' gears are not 'wasted'; they're redundant as they can be achieved on the other chainwheel, what's more in the closer ratio part of the block.

 

[Racing roadkill]

once again apologies for probable repeat posting (did try a search). I understand that running big front to big back ( or small to small) puts lots of lateral stress and can cause excessive wear, but my question is what would be the max recommended number of cogs to go up to if on big front? ( am on 105, 11 spd)

You're talking cross chaining. On a modern 105 11 speed set up with a modern chain, I wouldn't worry too much. If you're overly concerned, try to stay on the middle 8 sprockets, on both rings.

 

[Ajax Bay]

with a modern chain

What differences are there, other than dimensional, which means that this is less of an issue with 'modern' chains? Perhaps you could also share what you mean by modern?

 

[Racing roadkill]

What differences are there, other than dimensional, which means that this is less of an issue with 'modern' chains? Perhaps you could also share what you mean by modern?

Here we go again then. Modern chains ( anything manufactured in the last 5 years for example, but that's only a very rough measure), are manufactured to nice tight, quality controlled, standards. As long as they are from a reputable manufacturer. The quality control, and manufacturing methods, mean that modern chain, should, on average, be able to stand, more lateral strain / stress, than ( let's say for argument's sake ) a chain manufactured in the not so tightly controlled / regulated days.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I bet you pull away in third in your car as well, after all it can do it, where's the harm?

None to the gearbox, but it knackers the clutch.

A bike doesn't have a clutch. I never worry what gear combo I use as long as it doesn't complain.

 

[Justinslow]

I know you don't mean this, Justin, but. On a 1 x 11 you would not 'waste' the top and bottom gear; you'd use them. But on a 2 x 11/10/9 the 'crossed chain' gears are not 'wasted'; they're redundant as they can be achieved on the other chainwheel, what's more in the closer ratio part of the block.

Yes but you're saying that in the big ring not to use the biggest two cogs at the back? I think that's taking the "safe" option a little too far, and when not under load all will be fine and you can "use" those gears. My mistake was to push hard up hill, change into the biggest on the rear still in the big ring on the front, all under load! Beginner error. BANG!

 

[Ajax Bay]

Modern chains ( anything manufactured in the last 5 years for example, but that's only a very rough measure), are manufactured to nice tight, quality controlled, standards. As long as they are from a reputable manufacturer. The quality control, and manufacturing methods, mean that modern chain, should, on average, be able to stand, more lateral strain / stress, than ( let's say for argument's sake ) a chain manufactured in the not so tightly controlled / regulated days.

I suggest you're making this up and what you say is sprinkled in caveats to cover yourself/the assertion (rough, reputable, on average, last phrase - unspecified time in the past). Has the quality control of chain manufacture significantly improved in the last decade? Any evidence of this?
Even if "modern" chains can "on average, be able to stand, more lateral strain / stress" why subject them to unnecessary stress and consequent strain when the same ratios are available by just changing at the front.
To pick up on @Dogtrousers ' simile, one can walk around with ones flies undone, but it's preferable not to and if in company, people will notice and depreciate. Go Commando instead if more ventilation is required.

 

[jowwy]

I use all 22 gears.....if and when they wear out, i will buy new ones.

The end

 

[Ajax Bay]

I use all my chainwheels and all my sprockets: when they wear out, I will buy new ones.

 

[bladesman73]

I know. That wasn't the point I was making.

so what point were you making?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

cross-chaining... do people still worry about that... life's too short. Unless you are the type that slavishly must adhere to "the rules".

 

[Smokin Joe]

As @Ajax Bay has already said, why not cycle with good technique?

As usual, a depressing proportion of men seem to think good technique doesn't matter (whereas, as a majority of women know, it can actually be crucial ).

Good technique has nothing to do with which combination of chainring and sprocket you use. A 90" gear is a 90" gear no matter how you get it.

 

[Ajax Bay]

cross-chaining... do people still worry about that... life's too short.

cf lubricating your chain ... do people still worry about that... life's too short.

 

[hatler]

As a saddo engineer I get a great deal of satisfaction out of using machinery. Using that machinery in a sympathetic manner and thereby increasing its efficiency, and lengthening the time that that machinery lasts adds enormously to the sense of well-being of using that machinery.

Cross-chaining feels, looks and sounds 'wrong' to me, and I try to avoid doing it.

This mechanical empathy is the same thing that helps one feel feel when a bearing is correctly adjusted, or a nut is done up the right amount.

It all adds to the experience, and 'hurting' the machine grates internally with me.