What is the difference between 1/8 and 3/32?

What is the difference between 1/8 and 3/32 chains and cogs? Will a 1/8 chain fit on a 3/32 cog and vice versa?

And yes I did search

Chain

Modern bicycles use roller chain to connect the cranks to the rear wheel. Chain drives are among the most efficient means of power transmission known. Chain size is specified by pitch and width. The pitch is the distance between rollers (1/2" on all modern bicycle chain). The width is the internal width where the sprocket teeth fit in. Bicycle chain comes in two basic widths:

• 1/8" chain is used on most single-speed bicycles, and bicycles with internal gearing.
  
• 3/32" chain is used on derailer equipped bicycles that have more than 3 speeds.
  
  

Chains for derailer applications also come in various external widths. Newer clusters which have more sprockets use chain with thinner side plates and flush rivets.

You will come to learn that Sheldon Brown was your friend http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

Wow that was fast! Thanks! But if i was to convert an old racing bike and use the front chainring would it be 3/32 then? And if I was to change it which is better?

3/32 is narrower that 1/8

therefore

a 3/32 chain wont fit on a 1/8 cog or chainring

but you can get away with using a 1/8 chain on a 3/32 chainring, but not really on a 3/32 rear cog, or at least, i wouldn't do it.

Really . . .no UTFS!

1/32

I'm surprised I had to say this.

1/32

I'm surprised I had to say this.

Whats 1/32?

1/32

I'm surprised I had to say this.

+1

Whats 1/32?

2/64ths

And yes I did search

For what? "Custard"?

1 divided by 8 = 0.125

3 divided by 32 = 0.09375

(its in inches btw) work it out....

another one of pistonator's piss take threads..

No one else use 3/8" then?

another one of pistonator's piss take threads..

No its not. Im from Dublin, Ireland and i have an otp Giant Bowery 2009.

Is either one better or worse to use or is it personal preference?

No one else use 3/8" then?

no I find 8/3 (flemish ell's) works a little better in the winter

No its not. Im from Dublin, Ireland and i have an otp Giant Bowery 2009.

Is either one better or worse to use or is it personal preference?

track cogs, chain rings and chains tend to be 1/8

utfs or check out sheldon brown.

1/400 Sumerian cubit chains are pretty good too.

calling plagarist and other attendees of the maths ride.....

1/400 Sumerian cubit chains are pretty good too.

These are great. Do you know if you can get them in lilac?

These are great. Do you know if you can get them in lilac?

Are they NJS or would they require negative shimming?

Whats 1/32?

(4 - 3) / 32

You did ask.

These are great. Do you know if you can get them in lilac?

as far as im aware only gold is currently available in blb

Are they NJS or would they require negative shimming?

also no and no as It actually derives from an Egyptian measurement.

1/8" = Less wear, as components are wider.

       More high end kit available

3/32 = Lighter

       More forgiving of bad chainline (sideways flex)

Both should be the same in terms of strengh, as its the gap between the side plates of the chain that are thicker on 1/8" not the side plates themselves.

from my recent experience in a conversion, I made the decision to go with 3/32" transmission (and I really don't remember why) - but i subsequently found that this was quite limiting in terms of availability of sprockets and even more so in chainrings where i was already limited by having to find something with right teeth and right bcd for my cranks

next time it will be 1/8" for me

make sure you buy one in white, it iz makes you go faster and stop quicker.
white 1/8" RRP £1.99