[atomheartmother]

I just want to make sure that I understand shifting properly so that I'm not cross chaining. My bike has a triple chain ring (50/39/30) with a 9 speed cassette (11-26).

On the smallest ring (which I've never used, actually), I shouldn't run the two smallest cogs (closest to the rear derailler), which would be the two highest gears for the small ring. The middle ring is fine with any of the cogs on the cassette. I shouldn't run the two largest cogs (closest to the wheel) with the large ring, which would be the two lowest gears for the large ring.

Am I understanding this correctly? After getting my speed up and especially going down hills, I seem to ride the large ring with the four or five smallest cogs, usually. Is this fine? Or should I be riding the middle ring on the highest three cogs? Which would be better for the drive train or would it not matter?

 

[PJ352]

Seems to me that you've got a good handle on the subject. Some will tell you never to cross chain while others say it's ok on occasion and for short periods of time. I'm in the latter group, and cross chain on almost every ride because there are two hills I can negotiate in the 53/ 23 or 25 combo. It takes me about 90 seconds to get to the top of each, so why lose my rhythm by shifting to a smaller ring.

OTOH, if you find that you're spending an appreciable amount of time in the large ring/ fifth smallest cog, I might see some advantage to shifting to the middle ring and choosing the appropriate cog, thus minimizing the cross chaining.

Just use good judgment, keep your drivetrain maintained (cleaned/ lubed) and your chain will last for thousands of miles.

 

[Kerry Irons]

Pretty close

I just want to make sure that I understand shifting properly so that I'm not cross chaining. My bike has a triple chain ring (50/39/30) with a 9 speed cassette (11-26).

On the smallest ring (which I've never used, actually), I shouldn't run the two smallest cogs (closest to the rear derailler), which would be the two highest gears for the small ring. The middle ring is fine with any of the cogs on the cassette. I shouldn't run the two largest cogs (closest to the wheel) with the large ring, which would be the two lowest gears for the large ring.

Am I understanding this correctly? After getting my speed up and especially going down hills, I seem to ride the large ring with the four or five smallest cogs, usually. Is this fine? Or should I be riding the middle ring on the highest three cogs? Which would be better for the drive train or would it not matter?

You pretty much have it. Depending on your setup, the middle ring might not work well with the largest and smallest cogs on the cassette.

Drivetrain wear and drivetrain friction are minimized when you use the biggest chainring possible for the gear range you need. Having the chain engage as many teeth (front and rear) as possible for a given gear ratio is your best choice.

 

[kykr13]

Having the chain engage as many teeth (front and rear) as possible for a given gear ratio is your best choice.

Makes sense on one level, but (hating to question the authority here...) I think of all the times I see the big/big combo in use on group rides. It seems like a fair number of riders get their bike moving, then shift into the big ring and leave it there - at least for the vast majority of riding. Having the chain on the biggest chainring and largest cog would engage a lot of teeth...

This s.o.p. cost one person I know a new chain and cassette last year, without a whole lot of miles on them. I'm with PJ, especially in an example like the one given.

 

[Kerry Irons]

Big-big = no-no

Makes sense on one level, but (hating to question the authority here...) I think of all the times I see the big/big combo in use on group rides. It seems like a fair number of riders get their bike moving, then shift into the big ring and leave it there - at least for the vast majority of riding. Having the chain on the biggest chainring and largest cog would engage a lot of teeth...

This s.o.p. cost one person I know a new chain and cassette last year, without a whole lot of miles on them. I'm with PJ, especially in an example like the one given.

As I said, the OP had the right restrictions (stay off the largest two cassette cogs on the big ring of a triple). I was just saying that within those restrictions, if you find the right gear with a bigger chainring, you're better off with the bigger chainring. I was not suggesting that big-big was a good idea on a triple. My wife frequently uses the big-big combination on a 53/39, 13-26 Campy 10s drivetrain with no problems.