Single Speed Chains

HI all, bit new to single speeds and was wondering if anyone can recomend a good single speed chain that doesn't cost loads, I've been using the KMC but find they can be very noisy, any info is much appreciated...

KMC make good chains.

I'd look for other causes of the noise:

• poor chainline;
  
• shit sprocket (front or rear);
  
• worn sprocket (front or rear).
  

Thanks guys, sprockets are fine, chain line looks ok does this have to be measured or is visual good enough

Obviously a measured chainline is preferable, but "by eye" should be sufficient.

My best guess is that the teeth of your rear sprocket have a profile with a square shoulder.

"This thread is useless without photos."

You maybe right I suspect the rear sprocket is the cause sorry about photo's left the bike at work, I didn't know about square shoulder profiles though...

I would check the chain line properly before replacing anything.
Izumi chains can be noisey also but it's somewhat a small con for a nice strong chain.

tester recommends wipermann

Chain tension ? and lack of lube.
Is it dry and dirty, or a stiff link as possibles to what has already been suggested.

another photo request :)

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'm pretty happy with the chain line, chain and front sprocket are new although the F sprocket was cheap, the rear sprocket is a free wheel (sorry to the purist) older but well looked after, the noise sounds like grit in the chain but I do take it off monthly to clean and relube but it doesn't take long before I'm back to square one and it doesn't make alot of difference if the chain is lack. I'm gonna check out the rear sprocket in more detail its a shimano MX30 which has mixed reviews, photos finally added

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How much vertical movement is there in the chain (mid-way between the sprockets)?

As you see in picture now theres about an inch but generally I keep it to half inch

Half an inch good; an inch is a bit slack.

That looks like a rather "modest" chainset and probably isn't very round: check the tension throughout a whole rotation of it.

Chainline looks decent enough, but the best way to eye it in is from the back, looking over the rear sprocket towards the chainring.

Shimano freewheels (and chains) have been found to be poor by many, so perhaps that's your problem?

Thanks I 'm going to upgrade soon changing the rear sprocket to a better freewheel that will match a fixed sprocket I've got so the back wheel will be a flip flop, free wheel for commuting and fixed for leisure, maybe then i can compare results, I'didn't like the reviews on the shimano sprockets although I have always used shimano chains on other geared bikes without any problems, I satrted the thread to see if KMC chains had any particular problems but with closer inspection off the bike most of the noise comes from the rear... cheers

my kmc track chain used to make a lot of noise even when oiled up
they are big chunky chains