Been considering doing a drive-side addition to my R8000 cranks (mid-compact 165mm) but I want the ability to swap to smaller chainrings (or go single) for a few events. I know the chainrings can be replaced by me or a mechanic no problem (assuming that I use R8000 or R9100 models). What I don’t know is if I there are any issues with switching to a non-Shimano chainring (e.g. Absolute Black or Wolftooth), if there are any size limitations (e.g. sub-compact), or if I can even go 1x.
Funny. I post in two forums about this today and that’s the day I get a response from Pioneer. At least the info is from the “horse’s mouth”.
For R8000 + R9100 (not sure about other crank models) Pioneer says you can’t go smaller than a compact chainring set-up. They also say that there should be no problem using Absolute Black or WolfTooth chainrings and 1x should be totally kosher.
To clarify, that’s smaller than a 34t… so a changing a Pioneer setup with a single 38t or 40t ring should be OK? Asking because I’m going to convert my CX back to 1x for the season and will use a 40t Wolftooth. The crankset is a Shimano Ultegra dual sided Pioneer.
I honestly have no idea. I’m guessing that the pod has to fit in the space cut out of the large chainring. So if you were to run a 1x set-up smaller than 50 it’d have to be done as an inner chainring.
I’d give them a call to be sure … they’re super friendly … I just don’t have time to chat while I’m at work.
Two years after the original post, but don’t do it. Any power meter on the drive-side of a 5800, 6800, 9000, R7000, R8000, or R9100 crankset will be inaccurate. Documented by GPLama and DC Rainmaker. I think this wasn’t known in December 2018, but it’s definitely known now.
See if you crank is recall by shimano. Mine was, so they gave me a new crank and will get $500 in a couple weeks for a 9 year old PM. Not a bad deal at all
