How to determine chain lengh?

Mar 10, 2009
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Switching from 53X39 chainrings to compact 50X36, do I shorten the chain? How does one go about determining the best chain lengh for a particular gearing?
 
Mar 11, 2009
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Parktool site

The parktool site is indeed a great reference for fixing/maintaining your bike.

Interesting to note though that the "rigorous" equation at the bottom of the chain length page is not exact. The approximation used leads to an insignificant error in practice but (as a mathematician) I couldn't help noticing it!