Hip Priest
Veteran
As described, I'm looking to swap out my 36t smaller chainring for a 34t so I'm better able to spin on long climbs. Is this a simple process? Or will I need to check whether my front mech will manage it?
Swapping 36t inner chainring for 34t
- Thread starter Hip Priest
- Start date
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Cyclopathic
Veteran
- Location
- Leicester.
It may also be an issue for your rear mech if it has a short arm. Add the difference between the teeth on the highest and lowest on the rear cogs to the difference between the teeth on bigest and smallest cogs at the front to get the overall rating. eg rear goes from 12 to 28 = a diffence of 16. front is say a 52 36 so will be a difference of 16 also. Total difference is therefore 32. Then check the specifications of the rear mech to see if it is rated for that much of a difference. If it is not you may need to get a mech with a longer arm or just avoid some gears.
OP
OP
Hip Priest
Veteran
Thanks for the info. I'll look into it.
Cyclopathic
Veteran
- Location
- Leicester.
You should as well check the capacity of the front changer but I suspect that those that will handle 36 will also handle 32. However...Do not take my word for this. I have been very wrong in the past and it is never impossible that I will be wrong again. Always try and check with the specification documents if you can. Shimano seem pretty good at providing these and they are not too difficult to find in many cases.
You need to find the item code on the piece of equipment you are investigating, e.g. RD 5001 (I've just made that up so it may not exist) which will be stamped somewher on the body of, in this case, the rear deraillieur. Can take a bit of looking for but not usually too hard to find. Then in some cases all I have done is google searched the code. Sometimes had to add "Shimano" This then gives you the link address to the specification document which will tell you more than you need to know about that particular part.
I find that if you just google the name of the piece "Shimano Alivio rear mech" for instance, it will just give you a huge list of where you can buy said item.
I've probably made this sound a lot more complicated than it actually is but it's fairly easy really. Well it is for Shimano and it is if they do actually provide the document you need.
Good luck.
You need to find the item code on the piece of equipment you are investigating, e.g. RD 5001 (I've just made that up so it may not exist) which will be stamped somewher on the body of, in this case, the rear deraillieur. Can take a bit of looking for but not usually too hard to find. Then in some cases all I have done is google searched the code. Sometimes had to add "Shimano" This then gives you the link address to the specification document which will tell you more than you need to know about that particular part.
I find that if you just google the name of the piece "Shimano Alivio rear mech" for instance, it will just give you a huge list of where you can buy said item.
I've probably made this sound a lot more complicated than it actually is but it's fairly easy really. Well it is for Shimano and it is if they do actually provide the document you need.
Good luck.
Globalti
Legendary Member
I did this with my FSA chainset and the front derailleur kept chucking the chain off the inner ring - whether it also did this with the 36 ring I don't know because I fitted the smaller ring almost the day I got the bike. The 105 shifter does seem to let go with a loud clack and move over very abruptly.
I solved the problem by fitting a K-edge chain saver. It comes in band-on and braze-on varieties and works perfectly.
I solved the problem by fitting a K-edge chain saver. It comes in band-on and braze-on varieties and works perfectly.
