Benefit of a half link chain

hi all

im currently looking at putting a half link chain on my SS
i really like the way they look but what are the differences between these and a normal chain.??

are they stronger?
how do you connect them ? is it a pin that is pushed in, and can you get a split link or connecting pin for them

or am i just best sticking to a normal chain

cheers

Benefits are that you can alter chain length more finely (although you can do this with a regular chain and a single half link).

Allegedly stronger but they are heavier. They connect the same as a normal chain (pin + chain tool). You could use a split link but you'd have to use a single link of normal chain to get it to fit.

Are you best sticking to a normal chain? Probably.

I have had many half links on my bmx but the normal one holds out better.

You can also take a normal chain and put a little pice of half link in there.

I would stick to the normal chain!

Don't they stretch more than normal chains as well?

Chains don't stretch. So they don't stretch anymore than usual.

Maybe it stretch's more cause they have a lot of bends in there?
As the normal one's don't have bends at all.

I do ride with a lot of tension on my chain (bmx) because off the tricks i do and this isn't really good for the chain. Plus the chain stretch's faster and breaks more often.

not looking good then..

i was at the Manchester Velodrome today and seen a bike with one on and it looked really different. certainly caught my eye

Chains don't stretch. So they don't stretch anymore than usual.

bollox!

Chains don't stretch. So they don't stretch anymore than usual.

stretch / wear. tomato / tomato

bollox!

reported so hippy can disagree with you

I think the half link is more practical for bmx because of the small chain wheels.

The chain gets a bit longer after a while. Or maybe i should say the pins and the holes get a bit shity after a while. I could be wrong do?

One think i forgot.

If you ride small chain wheels the chain will have to take more punisment.
If the chain wheels are big it will go smother.

planning on running the chain on a 15/44 chain gear
dont mind a little stretch but dont want to invest in a headache
bike will be used for the odd commute so has to be reliable

Maybe if you google it your choice will be easy'r made.

Cheers.

BT used to say its good to talk !!!!!

Also i was told that if you chance your chain wheel so now and than (if possible) it will grind down more evenly. That way you want have as much slack at some points and tight on other points.

She's right :)

I think the half link is more practical for bmx because of the small chain wheels.

yup, to go around small cogs, other than that...useless.
unless you are trying to find a magic gear on a conversion, I would still buy a single half link and mess around.

Chains don't stretch. So they don't stretch anymore than usual.

No but the kinked links in a half link chain will straighten out causing chain elongation.

Fractions of a millimetre if you run one, fractions of a millimetre x 100+ if you run an entire chain of halflinks.

yup.

They might be a little stronger going forward, but if you're planning on skidding or putting strain on the chain in the opposite direction then they're weaker that way.

They might be a little stronger going forward, but if you're planning on skidding or putting strain on the chain in the opposite direction then they're weaker that way.

Could you explain this?

Some will say that half link chains are generally stronger and run smother, which is why this type of chain predominates the pro track circuit ... oh wait, it doesn't.

There's no mechanical benefit from using a half link chain whatsoever, other than adjustability, which isn't really an issue on a track bike with horizontal dropouts.

And as for alloy steel chains stretching... Are you guys on drugs?

Stretching / wearing out. Chains do.