Chain Position on a 1x

[TheJ]

I have a stupid question and I'm gonna ask it.

 

I've been riding a 1x setup for about a year now, maybe slightly more, but what I've been wondering about only really hit me the last few days.

 

I'm gonna spitball a few ideas, work with me here. If I'm wrong, correct me.

 

* Chains will always have an even number of links. You have lots of set of narrow and wide links, and the last "wide" link hooks up with the first "narrow" link.

 

* 1x Narrow wide chainrings, as far as I can see, always come in an even number of teeth, 30, 32, 34 etc.

 

Now, this means that the way you put the chain onto the chainring will remain constant. If you put a narrow chainlink over a narrow tooth, no matter if you turn the cranks a million times it will always end up being a narrow link over a narrow tooth. Also, if you put a narrow link over a wide tooth, it will also stay that way.Versus if you had a chainring with an uneven number of teeth, say 33, even if you put a narrow chain link over a narrow tooth, after a while it would go out of sync.

 

Am I crazy or onto something (which might be super obvious). I know the narrow/wide idea helps with chain retention, but the actual position of the chain on the chainring never registered with me that it might be a thing?

 

So that being said, even though I've never thought about it or actively thought about implementing it, is this something you have to pay attention to? That you should at all times line up a narrow chainlink over a narrow tooth (seeing it will always "stay" that way?)

 

PS: On my two bikes with a 1x setup, I have ever only dropped a chain once and that was due to pedaling at 50,000rpm over super bumpy terrain - hence my own fault.

[NotSoBigBen]

I would think that a narrow chainlink can only fit on a narrow tooth ... Not much one can do about that, assuming it's a narrow wide chainblade

 

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[TheJ]

I would think that a narrow chainlink can only fit on a narrow tooth ... Not much one can do about that, assuming it's a narrow wide chainblade

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

Maybe you are right? I dunno, getting my bike back from the shop just now, will pay some attention to the chain setup.

[Allrounder]

I agree with Ben. The narrow link only fits the narrow tooth. 

[TheJ]

Ok, my other 1x bike is here. Just tested. You gents are spot on. Chain can only go onto the ring in one way, keeping the links and teeth "in sync" the whole time.

 

Probably should have checked this before writing the long ass post.

 

Thanks gents.

[Jehosefat]

Also you can't have an odd number of teeth on a NW chainring because at some point you would end up with a a narrow tooth next to a narrow tooth  or a wide tooth next to a wide tooth which would not work. All the teeth need to be in pairs.

[popcorn_skollie]

Also you can't have an odd number of teeth on a NW chainring because at some point you would end up with a a narrow tooth next to a narrow tooth  or a wide tooth next to a wide tooth which would not work. All the teeth need to be in pairs.

 

One up made a 31 tooth narrow wide like 2 years back. 2 narrow teeth next to each other.

Simple as that. Never really took off though

[Jehosefat]

One up made a 31 tooth narrow wide like 2 years back. 2 narrow teeth next to each other.

Simple as that. Never really took off though

 

You mean the 31 tooth NW ring that they announced on 1 April?

 

It never took off because they never made it...

[popcorn_skollie]

You mean the 31 tooth NW ring that they announced on 1 April?

 

It never took off because they never made it...

 

I should have redirected that image...

and you should have played along!

[Jehosefat]

I should have redirected that image...

and you should have played along!

 

My bad