[BadgerOne]

Stupid question, I know. Never had a frame with sliding dropouts before. This is a geared bike (Eagle if it matters). To break the chain to the correct length, I assume I put the dropouts all the way to the rear, then go through the normal process of determining the correct chain length. Is that correct?

 

[Timothy G. Parrish]

No. Not unless you plan to move the dropouts to that position while the chain is on the bike. Otherwise, just leave the dropouts where they are and set the chain length based on that.

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[DeoreDX]

Personally I would set the dropouts to the position I plan on riding them. On a geared bike with sliding dropouts I personally would set the chain stays as short possible that leaves myself adequate tire clearance. I could see someone else preferring a longer chainstays. If you only care about not cutting the chain too short then using the longest chainstay position gives you a little leeway if you error and cut the chain too short.

 

[mtnbkrmike]

I have three bikes with sliding dropouts - a Honzo, a rigid Unit (that’s what she said 😝) and a fixed gear Paddy Wagon. I agree with the advice above - set the drop outs where you want and adjust the chain.

That said, is it really going to matter with a geared bike? I have my Honzo slammed forward and I can easily maximize my wheelbase with no issues in terms of chain length. The adjustment is so small relatively speaking that I can’t see it mattering all that much. Maybe I’m wrong on that.

 

[BadgerOne]

That's the crux of the issue here...I don't yet know where I want the dropouts, I want to experiment with the different positions and see where I land. I suppose it is better to break it a bit too long that a bit too short.

 

[006_007]

That's the crux of the issue here...I don't yet know where I want the dropouts, I want to experiment with the different positions and see where I land. I suppose it is better to break it a bit too long that a bit too short.

I would probably set them in the mid position then - it won't get too long if you shorten the dropouts and not too short if you lengthen it either

 

[Jake From State Farm]

interesting....i'll be in this situation next season with my first sliding dropout Honzo ST build.
i would have pulled wheel back to its furthest 'suggested', looped chain over largest cassette, run chain through deraileur pulling lower tensioner towards chainring and fix it....
hmmm....i dunno
im also interested in this thread