As title really, im about to buy new chains for both of my SS bikes just as a little treat before winter sets in
What do you recommend? Something purposeful and well marketed, or the cheapest rust resistant 3/32 chain from halfords?
The £8 gold one from KMC(?). Silly to spend more IMO.
I just use a decent SRAM 9 speed chain.
most manufacturers concentrate their efforts on geared stuff so it tends to be better quality.
I think it was a surly blog I read where they recommend doing this too.
The 0.75% worn one that comes off my road bike.
The 3/32 Onza one from velo solo thats actually a KMC Kool Chain in a Onza box
Charlie Bikemonger says no real advantage to quarter inch stuff. Heavier too.
I'm on a nickel plated KMC speed, I think. Cheaper than 9 speed.
Edit: eighth inch, not quarter!
Just about any 1/8" KMC, not worth spending more than £10
Anything that takes a powerlink.
+1 for the kmc z510 hx.
2nd cheapest SRAM 9 speed chain for me.
They seem to be durable enough and one of my reasons was demonstrated last week: a geared rider's chain snapped and I was carrying the right powerlinks to fix it for them.
The KMC 610 Rustbuster singlespeed is brilliant.
Zinc coating to keep the rust away and single-speed to be rigid and not whip off the sprocket or chainring.
Price is almost too cheap at £6.
Get them whilst you can.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25653
clubber - Member
The £8 gold one from KMC(?). Silly to spend more IMO.
It would have to be the gold one wouldn't it Clubber!
Of course 😉
bugger, pretty sure i threw away a worn 9spd chain only a couple of months back!
not to worry, lets see how CRC do on delivery time
Whatever comes off the geared bikes when it's too worn to stay on 😉
I use a 1/8 chain but that's because my sprocket is 1/8.
If you have chain length issues (because there isn't enough adjustment in your sliding dropouts or EBB (or tensioner if, like me, you use one) then a half link chain will be a blessing.
KMC 710 - it's my favorite by dint of it being the only one I've ever used - 1/8th (what does that even refer to anyway?)
KMC Z510HX is the best SS chain imo. I always used them for bmxing and never snapped one.
£6 Bell one from Asda has lasted me very well. The quick link busted after about a year, chain still going strong.
Shame about the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/another-is-this-a-crack-thread ]frame :-([/url]
SRAM PC870 for £12ish. 6-8 months on my regular bike which is longer than the PC850 and about 4x the life of a PC830. I didn't like KMC's 3/32 offerings.
bimbler
1/8th" is the width of the chain, 1/2" is the pitch - the distance between pivots
Gold 1/8th chains available from the big ASDA Walmart stores at £2.98 each. I clear the shelves of them when I go and replace every month or two to keep it sweet
KMC Z610HX
ditto kingtut as to me the whole point of SS is keeping things simple and cheap. Thats includes not washing them.
As I don't change those chains often I prefer a 4 quid one from Asda. Last for ever and I can use 2, 1 soaking in oil then draining, the other on the bike
I didn't like KMC's 3/32 offerings.
Strangely their 3/32 geared offerings didn't wear well and i'd not buy them again, but the single speed hx series have proven much more durable even in 3/32 (to me at least).
SRAM PC1. Cheap and bullet proof
Yet another votey for KMC 510s ( or even 610s if you fancy 3/32nd).
Cheap as chips, strong, and even come with a quick link thingamajig.
Use them for track and fixie.
3/32 is just as strong as 1/8"
Wider is not stronger.... the myth occurs becaiuse 1/8 chains are intended for track or BMX, so the plates are built burly. 3/32" chaina are designed for lighter geared use, so less burly. But the KMC Z610hx is a 3/32 bmx chain, same as the 1/8" z510hx but ligter due to being narrower.
Its...
3/32"
light
riveted pins for more strength
silver
never had a failure in 6 years of selling and using thses.
dead cheap at £12 inc postage... and available here... http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/kmc-z610-hx-chain-332-41-p.asp
Sorry, but you got me on my specialist subject... would be shit boring for the viewers if I ever did mastermind.
the joining link looks more secure on the HX CtBm is stocking
i went with the 610RB from CRC as it was half the price, but now i will ride it 'knowing' the link is weak and about to induce a balls stem disaster - get what you pay for
quick links.... I never use them.
A chain will always break at its weakest link, so why introduce a convenient but weak link. I just rejoin the KMCs with a normal pin.
If you use the quick link to get the chain off for cleaning, then just buy a fresh chain, they cost less than fish, chips, pickled egg + onion, a guiness and a nice icecream. Small sacrifice to make... better that than your daddy batteries* being smashed on the stem.
* Ladies can insert their own filthy slang.
If you use the quick link to get the chain off for cleaning, then just buy a fresh chain, they cost less than fish, chips, pickled egg + onion, a guiness and a nice icecream.
not suprised that's your advice as you sell them.
I'd rather have the meal and keep the chain going longer by making a little effort rather than chucking good stuff away.
Forgot to say ..on the very rare occasions that i have had chains snap it's never been at the powerlink ( if one has been fitted )and I'm no lightweight.
KMC810SL is really nice.
I usually buy mine on visits to Oz. Never seen them here.
SRAM PC1 is positively the worst chain I have ever used. It stretched to an unusable length inside 6 rides, and kept throwing itself off the rear cog despite being correctly tensioned and a good chainline.
Replaced it with a cheapo KMC 8spd chain, which was about a million times better.
Gusset Badger
effective insurance against this
your daddy batteries* being smashed on the stem.
That's my advice because I know what I am talking about, not because I sell them. Tight margins and free postage means that I make shag all out of a chain. I really don't need your quid so badly that I would mislead you.
I also keep the meal, and never take my chain off to clean it. Just point a hose at it every so often with the chain in place. This also works.
A snapped chain can be very painful. They cost £12. My advice is to check your chain regularly and don't risk your testicles for £12.
I have snapped one chain in the last ten years, you appear to have snapped more. I suggest one of us has a better chain strategy.
Stay jolly.
have snapped one chain in the last ten years
you obviously don't ride hard enough 😉
