Cross-chaining occurs when the chain rides on which gear combinations?

• A. The chain rides on the middle gears.
• B. The chain rides on the largest front chainring and largest rear cog, or smallest front chainring and smallest rear cog.
• C. The chain is removed from the drivetrain during riding.
• D. The chain rides on the smallest front chainring and largest rear cog.

Answer: (B)

Cross-chaining happens when the chain runs at a diagonal, creating a sharp angle between the front chainring and the rear cassette. This most often occurs in two extreme gear combinations: using the largest front chainring with the smallest rear cog, or using the smallest front chainring with the largest rear cog. Those pairings pull the chain across the drivetrain, increasing wear on the chain, chainrings, and pulleys, and making shifting less smooth and efficient. To keep the chainline as straight as possible and minimize wear, you should stay in gear combinations where the front and rear gears are aligned in the same direction (large with large, or small with small). The extreme mismatches that create a diagonal path are the ones to avoid.