XX1 chain length weirdness…

Anyone had any issues with XX1 chain length?

I fitted the chain according to the instructions in the box which as you can see says to add two links:

The chain felt a bit tight with the mech really extended so I checked online and the sram doc says to add four links:

Anyone know which one is right?!

I called sram but they said they don’t talk to people and I need to talk to my dealer (who is in Germany…).

Anyone know which one is right?!

Whichever one actually works, would be my guess.

I seem to remember from other riders it’s add 4 links.

The first option just seems plain wrong – 2 links doesn’t add much length, and for that extra length, then chain has to go through the derailleur AND accomodate any chain growth from the suspension.

I don’t really understand the need for diagrams like that. Just put it all together and shorten the chain a bit, but not so much that it’s overstretched.

(P.S. I understand the nuances of the XX1 parallel shift thing which means chain length is more critical, before anyone says.)

Here’s a pic with it as it is (2 links as according to the first instructions):

It tightens up a bit when the suspension compresses but there is still room for the derailleur to move further.

is this not all screwed when you swap the easily swappable chain rings as your going mostly up hill on the weekend?

Mike – yes, if you change the chainring you need a new chain! The range works for me though so I won’t need to be swapping chains.

Going from a 32 to a 38 would require an extra ‘complete’ link (I.e. one fat one thin piece of chain). So not a huge difference.

I did mine as ‘normal’, took shock off, fully compressed rear end, which did grow the chain at least 2 links, then added 2 links, which equates to the online SRAM doc of +4 links if that just runs the chain round without compressing the rear.

I did mine with 4 links as per the lower picture.

You can supposedly move up or down one chainring size without having to do anything about the chain, not too sure that it’d work though!

Going from a 32 to a 38 would require an extra ‘complete’ link (I.e. one fat one thin piece of chain). So not a huge difference.

When did (38-32)/2=1?

When did (38-32)/2=1?

Since the chain only goes around half of the front chainring. But I meant 36, not 38. 😳

4 individual links plus the power link is correct. So two full external plates plus power link.

Cheers all. I called Fishers and they said to go off the most recent doc which would be on the website but two links would be ok for a hardtail.

You can supposedly move up or down one chainring size without having to do anything about the chain, not too sure that it’d work though!

I’ve done it +/- 1 rings size each way and it’s been fine. I change the Fr depending upon how steep the transition climbs are in gravity enduro races.