{"id":47540,"date":"2023-04-02T17:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-04-02T15:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=721960"},"modified":"2023-04-02T17:34:18","modified_gmt":"2023-04-02T15:34:18","slug":"cross-chaining-explained-shimano-and-sram-on-drivetrain-wear-and-efficiency","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/cross-chaining-explained-shimano-and-sram-on-drivetrain-wear-and-efficiency\/","title":{"rendered":"Cross-chaining explained: Shimano and SRAM on drivetrain wear and efficiency"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is it always bad to cross-chain? Does it wear out components? This and more explained <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Sunday, 02 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Most bikes have a range of gears to enable you to crest a climb, carve down a descent and everything in between.<\/p>\n

In theory, all of the gears are at your disposal but on some systems, it\u2019s best to avoid using certain gear combinations. This is typically referred to as \u2018cross-chaining\u2019.<\/p>\n

Cross-chaining is a complicated and controversial subject. In this guide, we\u2019ll take you through exactly what cross-chaining is, why you shouldn\u2019t cross-chain and how to avoid cross-chaining in the first place.<\/p>\n

We asked Shimano and SRAM for their opinions and some of the responses may surprise you. We also contacted Campagnolo, but the brand declined to comment.<\/p>\n

What is cross-chaining?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The least amount of friction is when the chain is towards the middle of the cassette because it is in a straight line.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Cross-chaining is the act of riding in the smallest or largest cassette<\/a> sprocket and the corresponding chainring at the same time.<\/p>\n

For example, on a double chainring setup, this is the smallest cassette sprocket and the smallest chainring, or the largest cassette sprocket and the largest chainring.<\/p>\n

The chain<\/a> performs optimally when it is in a straight line. Cross-chaining forces your chain into an extreme angle, reducing efficiency, increasing wear and harming shifting performance.<\/p>\n

What is a \u2018chainline\u2019?<\/h3>\n

In the strictest sense of the word, chainline is a measurement taken from the centre of your rear hub to the middle of the freehub.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the crankset, it is a measurement taken from the centre of the bottom bracket shell to the space between the chainrings on a 2x setup, or where the chainring sits on a 1x setup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As mentioned, the chain performs best when running in a straight line. Some refer to this as an \u2018optimum\u2019 or \u2018efficient\u2019 chainline.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div> <\/section>

Okay, show me an example of cross-chaining\u2026<\/h2>\n

Cross-chaining on a 2x drivetrain<\/h3>\n
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You can see the chain under more strain when in \u2018big-big\u2019.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On a 2x drivetrain, cross-chaining typically refers to when you are riding in the smallest chainring and cassette sprocket, or in the biggest chainring and cassette sprocket.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also generally recommended to avoid riding in the second smallest sprocket when in the small chainring.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Small-small is a bigger no-no.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

SRAM says \u201cwith 2x, big-big is fine\u201d, but it specifically discourages riding in a small-small combination because \u201cthe chain tension is low, which may result in chain drop, and there\u2019s a small risk of inadvertent chain pick-up by the large ring\u201d.<\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s response is more coy \u2013 the brand says its rear derailleurs<\/a> are designed to sit at a certain position, depending on how many chainrings they are paired with, although acknowledges there is more friction when cross-chaining.<\/p>\n

Cross-chaining on a 1x drivetrain<\/h3>\n
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Does the notion of cross-chaining even exist on 1x drivetrains?<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Whether cross-chaining is something to worry about on 1x drivetrains is a little murkier, given there aren\u2019t multiple chainrings and the two opposing ends of the cassette represent your easiest and hardest gears.<\/p>\n

SRAM\u2019s take is simple: \u201cThere\u2019s literally no such thing as cross-chaining with a 1x system\u201d, with the brand advising riders to \u201cride the gear that feels best\u201d.<\/p>\n

Like SRAM, Shimano\u00a0says riders shouldn\u2019t be concerned with cross-chaining on the brand\u2019s 1x drivetrains.<\/p>\n

However, an optimum chainline for drivetrain efficiency exists.<\/p>\n

Using the cogs towards the middle of the cassette, which results in a straighter chainline, is more efficient and quieter.<\/p>\n

Why is cross-chaining bad?<\/h2>\n

When you cross-chain, the chain is made to run at a more extreme angle because it runs diagonally, potentially increasing friction and strain on the drivetrain components.<\/p>\n

Drivetrain wear<\/h3>\n
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Cross-chaining is often thought to lead to increased wear.<\/span><\/figcaption> David Rome \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The additional friction generated by cross-chaining is often thought to lead to increased wear. Because the chain is put under more tension, it\u2019s likely to wear faster, meaning you\u2019ll need to replace the chain<\/a> more often.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the common thinking, anyway \u2013 but SRAM disagrees. SRAM says \u201ccross-chaining has no effect on chain wear. The effect of cross-chaining on the big cog and big ring is insignificant\u201d.<\/p>\n

The brand recommends simply picking the gear ratio that feels best to ride, with the exception of the small-small on a 2x system.<\/p>\n

Longer chain length<\/h3>\n
\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
You can see the rear derailleur strain to achieve the big-big combination.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

When you ride in the big-big combination, the chain is at its longest possible length.<\/p>\n

If the chain is too short, the rear derailleur is put under more strain in this gear, especially if the chain is slightly too short.<\/p>\n

If the chain has been cut too long, when you ride in the small-small combination, the chain will droop onto the driveside chainstay. This will be noisy and you may drop the chain when riding on rough terrain.<\/p>\n

Noise<\/h3>\n
\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The chain will likely rub the outer cage plate of the front derailleur when riding in big-big.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Cross-chaining will almost certainly be noisy because the chain is put under more strain.<\/p>\n

You may also hear the noise of the chain rubbing on the inner cage plate of the front derailleur.<\/p>\n

A bike with a poor chainline (where the chainrings or cassette sit too far inboard or outboard relative to the other) may also be noisier.<\/p>\n

The chain may also hit the chainstay if you ride in the small-small combination because the chain is under the least amount of tension.<\/p>\n

On some drivetrains, manufacturers build a trim function into the front shifter. This moves the front derailleur slightly inboard or outboard to prevent the chain from rubbing when cross-chaining.<\/p>\n

Power loss<\/h3>\n
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It\u2019s not as efficient to cross-chain.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

It is generally thought to be more efficient not to cross-chain, given the increased friction of the chain rubbing against the front derailleur or cassette teeth and the sub-optimal chainline.<\/p>\n

An efficiency test conducted by Velonews<\/em> between 1x and 2x drivetrains found a ~5 watt difference riding in the 39-11 compared to the near-equivalent 53-15 gear.<\/p>\n

How to avoid cross-chaining<\/h2>\n

On a multi-chainring setup (2x or 3x), if you notice you are about to cross-chain, you should consider changing chainring.<\/p>\n

For example, if you\u2019re riding on the big chainring and the second largest sprocket, swap to the easier chainring and change down a gear. You\u2019re effectively achieving an equivalent gear ratio with a better chainline.<\/p>\n

Do electronic groupsets prevent cross-chaining?<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shimano prevents you accessing the two smallest cogs when in the inner chainring.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Some electronic groupsets<\/a> have features to prevent you from cross-chaining.<\/p>\n

Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo allow you to ride in the biggest cassette cog and chainring.<\/p>\n

However, on Shimano\u2019s 11- and 12-speed Di2 road bike groupsets<\/a>, the brand prevents you from riding on the two smallest sprockets when using the inner chainring.<\/p>\n

Shimano also offers Synchro Shift. This feature shifts the front and rear derailleur automatically as you select a harder or easier gear, maintaining an optimal chainline and offering the smoothest possible steps through gears.<\/p>\n

On SRAM\u2019s eTap AXS groupsets, the brand prevents the system from shifting into the small-small combination on a 2x setup.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Campagnolo\u2019s Super Record EPS is the exception to the rule.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Campagnolo bucks the trend with its Super Record EPS 12-speed groupset<\/a>, because you are allowed to cross-chain. However, if you happen to be riding in the small-small, the front derailleur automatically self-adjusts to prevent the chain rubbing on the outer cage plate.<\/p>\n

SRAM and Shimano\u2019s electronic front derailleurs also have an \u2018auto-trim\u2019 function.<\/p>\n

Should you ever cross-chain?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Don\u2019t worry if you need to cross-chain occasionally.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Ideally, you should avoid cross-chaining.<\/p>\n

However, this can be hard to remember when you\u2019re riding at the limit, so don\u2019t worry if you find yourself accidentally cross-chaining from time to time.<\/p>\n

In a race scenario, if you\u2019re heading up an incline that isn\u2019t steep enough to warrant changing into the inner chainring, it arguably requires less effort to cross-chain than to concentrate on shifting the front derailleur.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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