Chainstay length.

Short or long? which is better? how does it affect the bike? does it just depend?

Thanks.

short, easier to get the front end up

long, more stability on steep climbs

current trends seem to favour shorter = better and 1x transmissions have helped a lot with this.

other areas (eg front centre) will have a big effect too so look at a package rather than just one measurement.

Shorter=more playful, longer=more stable.

So, as with most things on a mountain bike, there is no better, just changing fashion. Recently the fashion has been to keep them short, but no doubt that will change.

Long enough to fit the wheel in, depends what you want it for and what it’s bolted to

I’m looking at 29er single speeds. Currently riding an inbred. Wondered whether a shorter chain stay would stop the rear wheel losing traction on some climbs.

For single speeds it’s more about where you position body weight and controlling your pedal input when climbing than frame geometry, for me.

traditionally longer seat stays are seen as a good thing for climbing as they stop the front end wandering but your weight will be more on the front wheel as a result so maybe a shorter stay will shift your weight back a bit stood up.

It ‘depends’, yes. Shorter = better, we’ve been there before in about 1987?
Balance is good; extreme numbers to get attention, maybe, maybe not?

Wondered whether a shorter chain stay would stop the rear wheel losing traction on some climbs.

Not really, and your CS length will be dictated in 1/2″ increments based on your gearing. 32-18 gearing means a common CS of around 440mm, or a really short one at under 430mm (rarer)

shorter = crapper at climbing, but more fashionable.

longer = crapper at manuals, but better at climbing.

scholarsgate – Member

I’m looking at 29er single speeds. Currently riding an inbred. Wondered whether a shorter chain stay would stop the rear wheel losing traction on some climbs.

maybe, but mostly it would just help you fall off backwards on steep climbs.

shorter = crapper at climbing
Bollocks.

shorter = crapper at climbing
Bollocks.

This ^

Long chainstays = boring bike.

(having owned one that had long chainstays – old Giant Reign.)

Oy mate, your chainstays are too long.

Yeah that guy needs a longer stem to put more weight on the front 🙄

Anything under 430mm is crap on a medium unless you like large spring rate differentials and the unpredictable pitch stability that brings. 440mm is pretty good for a medium and +/- 10mm on small/large sizes is about right.