Shorten the Chain?

I’m picking up a new TT bike, it comes stock with a 10-36 cassette, and I’m changing it to a 10-30 cassette. Should I shorten the chain, or is it just not worth the bother?

I would shorten it. That’s a considerable reduction in cog size. If you’re in the small ring at all, chain tension will likely be very low and shifts will be sloppy. Front downshifts will also have a higher chance of dropping the chain since the rear derailleur won’t take up so much of the slack

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That is what I was thinking, I can always have a second chain for use with the original cassette either on the trainer or on a second set of wheels.

Yup, probably a link shorter, also adjust the B-gap.

Yep, definitely shorten it. Most modern drivetrains are very specific around chain length + B-Gap. Get the length right as per the manual, then set the B gap and you’ll be golden.

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