I have 2x10 drivetain, that I bought a narrow wide chainring and is now a 1x10. I havent had ten rides on it and I broke the chain, which I havent done in ages. I have a 3x crank lying around and am wondering if it would be the better option for the bike as I can put the narrow wide in the middle and not cross the chain as much. I hope I'm making sense and appreciate your comments. I don't think it matters but the 2x is a shimano xt and the 3x is a shimano deore. Thanks.

Yes sir, the 3x will be best. Im about to do the same to my wifes bike.

thanks A_street. I will be swapping out cranks then.

Just asking a question here...
Being an old fart needing to run three rings up front, I too broke my first chain about two weeks ago.
Isn't the idea of going one ring up front based on losing the weight and keeping things simple? Are you going to three rings to keep the chain on and not breaking? Not judging but trying to learn here

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Mike

He is simplifying things by converting the 3x to a 1x by Using just the middle chain ring slot. The middle chain rings alignment allows it to move all the way across the cassette without extremes chain line angles.

I got that but is he going to still have the small and big ring on the crankset? I guess that would be my question.

_________________
You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

No, he would remove the small and big ring from the crankset.

question to the original post: what is the chainline distance on the original crankset?

^^^ ...and you can replace the big ring with a bash guard, to protect both your new narrow/wide ring, and your calves.

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yes, I am only going to use the middle ring. mrgiant, I do not know how to answer your question. Do I just measure from ring to ring? I have no idea. This is the original crankset if it helps: http://www.jensonusa.com/Cranksets/Shim ... 5-Crankset

chainline -- http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline-multi.html

the chainline on the Shimano XT M785 is 48.8mm according to the specs -- see bike bling link below.

on a triple ring crankset, the chainline is measured to the middle ring and it's normally, 47.5mm - 50mm. -- see Sheldon Brown link.

so, what i'm getting at is that you may not see any difference when switching from one crankset to another, their chainline is roughly the same.

http://www.bikebling.com/Shimano-XT-M78 ... 0-2638.htm

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html

One more thing to keep in mind. I busted a bunch of SRAM chains about a year ago. They definitely had some quality control issues then, and they seem resolved now. So if this was an old stock SRAM chain, it could just have been defective.

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Velo Ergo Endo

I see what you are saying mrgiant. I havent had a chande to do the change yet, but will probably do it tonight and see how it goes. With the 2x, the chain was straight when in the in between the 8th and 9th cog, so you can imagine how crossed it was in the granny. Even it goes on center by one or two cogs, it will be an improvent. I will post when I have done it to share how it goes. thanks. Oh, and the chain I broke was a wipperman.

unfortunately my bike has a press fit bb. So no spacer that I am aware of.