[spookydave]

This is the first bike that I am setting up from scratch and need the advice of a few of you pros out there.
What is the proper way to get the correct chain length on my new bullit?
I was reading some of the instructions and it said to put the chain on the big ring and the large cog in the back. Move the swingarm to the spot with the most chain growth and add 2 links. It did not even show the rear der. in the little diagram.
There has to be a better way then that for the longer travel bikes.
Any input will be helpfull.
Thanks in advance.

 

[NRSracer]

Originally posted by spookydave
This is the first bike that I am setting up from scratch and need the advice of a few of you pros out there.
What is the proper way to get the correct chain length on my new bullit?
I was reading some of the instructions and it said to put the chain on the big ring and the large cog in the back. Move the swingarm to the spot with the most chain growth and add 2 links. It did not even show the rear der. in the little diagram.
There has to be a better way then that for the longer travel bikes.
Any input will be helpfull.
Thanks in advance.

it sounds like the directions are intended for use with a bike with a front derailleur(are you running one?) if you are using a front derailleur, those directions are right, if not, add links in for the der i guess.

 

[spookydave]

Yes I am using a front derailleur. But the diagram didn't show the chain wraped around the rear derailleur at all.
I know you should not cross chain like that but if I set it up with only 2 extra links then put the rear der in there it seems the chain will be hella tight.

 

[Echo]

That sounds about right, first of all when the derailleur is pulled forward like that it doesn't use much chain, and second of all you shouldn't ever need the big/big combination, you're just ruining your drivetrain when you use it...

If you wanna be sure, add 4 links at first and see how that looks, and then you can always take one or two out to get it perfect.

If you are running a bashguard instead of a big chainring you have a lot more room for error here...

 

[spookydave]

Ok, sounds like that's how it's done. I like the idea of a little extra at the start. That's what I'll do.

 

[ghostrider]

Hey spooky, I just went through the same exercise on my Bullit. The reason they have you do the big ring-big cog test is because if for some reason you end up in those gears by mistake, and you hit a big bump, you can break something expensive. It sounds unlikely (that you would use those gears), but I did it the other night on a night ride by mistake. So, following Echo's idea is best. FYI, I took my shock off so I could go through the travel, and the chainstay growth on the Bullit is significant.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I took the spring off my shock and pulled the suspension to full compression with a ratcheting strap. Pain in the ass, but it worked.

J