Marcus wrote:
> I know most of the literature says don't use the small-small or big-big
> combinations. Doesn't this generally refer to triples and/or modern bikes
> with wider spacing? I would think that on bikes in the CR timeframe, with
> double chainrings, cross-chaining would not be as big of an issue, unless
> the chainstays were really short.
Actually the crossing on older bikes was far more problematic than with new bikes. Modern chains are now so flexible that most can handle quite severe sideways bending, something that was definitely not possible in the classical era. As the chains didn't flex, this meant extreme pressure on the teeth of both chainrings and freewheel. Friction derailleurs on the other hand do make keeping derailleurs in check with extreme angles easier.
Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ