Fixed Innovations' Chainstay Measurement guide

This page is incomplete.

Getting a measurement of your chainstay that's accurate enough to make using FixMeUp! effortless isn't easy. We think we have a method that will work, but have not had time to test it yet, let alone to write it up here.

For now, the best you can do is to use a tape measure. Chainstay length is the distance from the middle of your rear dropout where the axle sits to the middle of the bottom bracket spindle. Measure that length as close to the chain path as you can. And try to be accurate.

The method we want to test will work like this (if it works at all :-): You'll pick a chainring and cog, run the chain around them as if to make a single-speed (i.e. not through the rear derailleur) and then cut the chain so that it's just short of closing. You'll then use calipers, if you have them, or a ruler, to measure the gap between the centers of the pins nearest the ends of the chain -- which should be less than 1". From this number and the sizes of your cog and chainring it should be possible to produce a number of guesses at your chainstay length, each 1/2" apart. You should then be able to pick the right one with a ruler if not just by eye.

(Don't worry: if this method works we'll put a calculator on this page to produce those guesses for you.)