04-24-2014, 06:53 PM
Upon further consideration - I am going with "don't cross chain" 
I generally set up my bikes so that the granny ring is only useable for lower (larger cogs) half of the cassette, and much beyond that, the chain is striking the middle cog. They are set up so that the big ring in the front works well all across the cassette, and the middle ring may or may not work well with the smallest cog at the back - possibly with the chain striking the big cog.
One reason for primarily using the biggest chain ring is that there is less tension on the chain for any given amount of torque at the wheel. Another is that the larger the number of teeth - especially at the back - the less force on any given tooth.
When down shifting; I am always going to bigger cogs on the cassette first, then the chain rings at the front.
Our T50 is equipped with 26-44-54 at the front and 11-34 9 speed at the back. The 44-54 jump is only slightly larger percentage than the spacing of the cassette - yes lots of duplicate gears. The 44-11 comb does not work well, and I avoid the 44-13 comb too.
For a single bike, for me - everyone is different - about 100 gear inches is a good top gear. For a tandem, it is quite a bit higher.
I generally set up my bikes so that the granny ring is only useable for lower (larger cogs) half of the cassette, and much beyond that, the chain is striking the middle cog. They are set up so that the big ring in the front works well all across the cassette, and the middle ring may or may not work well with the smallest cog at the back - possibly with the chain striking the big cog.
One reason for primarily using the biggest chain ring is that there is less tension on the chain for any given amount of torque at the wheel. Another is that the larger the number of teeth - especially at the back - the less force on any given tooth.
When down shifting; I am always going to bigger cogs on the cassette first, then the chain rings at the front.
Our T50 is equipped with 26-44-54 at the front and 11-34 9 speed at the back. The 44-54 jump is only slightly larger percentage than the spacing of the cassette - yes lots of duplicate gears. The 44-11 comb does not work well, and I avoid the 44-13 comb too.
For a single bike, for me - everyone is different - about 100 gear inches is a good top gear. For a tandem, it is quite a bit higher.
Nigel
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