What is Chainstay Length? How It Affects Bike Handling
Chainstay length is the distance from the bottom bracket to the rear axle, typically 400-460mm. Learn how chainstay affects handling and chain length calculation.
Quick Answer
Chainstay — length is the distance from the center of the bottom bracket (where your pedals attach) to the center of the rear axle, measured in a straight line. Typical chainstay lengths range from 400-415mm for road bikes to 430-475mm for mountain bikes. This measurement is essential for calculating correct bike chain length.
What is the Chainstay?
The chainstay is one of the two tubes that connect your bottom bracket shell to the rear dropout (where your rear wheel attaches). It's part of the rear triangle of your bike frame.
Key points:
- Measured in millimeters (mm) or inches
- Measured from BB center to rear axle center
- Critical input for chain length calculation
Chainstay Length by Bike Type
| Bike Type | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Road race/aero | 400-405mm |
| Road endurance | 405-420mm |
| Gravel bike | 420-435mm |
| XC hardtail | 420-435mm |
| Trail MTB | 435-450mm |
| Enduro MTB | 440-475mm |
| Touring bike | 420-450mm |
| BMX | 350-380mm |
How Chainstay Length Affects Your Ride
Short Chainstays (400-420mm)
Pros:
- Snappier handling
- More responsive acceleration
- Better climbing (weight over rear wheel)
- Nimble feel
Cons:
- Less stable at high speed
- Easier to wheelie unintentionally
- Less tire clearance
Long Chainstays (430-475mm)
Pros:
- More stable at speed
- Better traction on climbs
- More room for wider tires
- Smoother ride
Cons:
- Slower handling response
- Heavier feeling
- Less agile in tight turns
How to Measure Chainstay Length
- Place bike on level ground with wheel seated in dropouts
- Locate center of bottom bracket (pedal spindle axis)
- Locate center of rear axle
- Measure straight line between these two points
- Record measurement in millimeters
Common mistake: Measuring along the chainstay tube instead of in a straight line.
For detailed instructions, see our guide: How To Measure Chainstay Length
Chainstay Length and Chain Sizing
Chainstay length is the primary variable in the chain length formula:
Chain Length = 2 × Chainstay + (Chainring + Sprocket) / 4 + 1
Every 10mm of chainstay length adds approximately 0.8 inches (about 1.5 links) to required chain length.
Full Suspension Considerations
On full-suspension bikes, chainstay length changes as the suspension compresses:
- Measure at sag (normal riding position)
- Add extra chain length for compression clearance
- Different suspension designs have different chain growth
Use our Bicycle Chain Length Calculator to determine the correct chain length for your specific chainstay measurement.