Which Chain? (Chains / Size / Width / Wear)

I am just in the process of doing up a bike and making it single speed. I bought a singlespeed freewheel (18t) from Condor - the cheap one for a tenner. Having put it on the chain just doesn't seem to fit on the cog. I have tried the original chain (it was the original off an old 80's 10 speed Falcon). I have also tried a SRAM one I had kicking around but that is the same. It's as if the spacing between the pins on the chain is too long - it can't have stretched that much? I have checked Sheldon Brown but he doesn't mention different chain types (pin to pin length rather than width). Are there different sizes? Thanks.

nothing to see here. Width of inner links is the issue.

yes. Most common are 1/8th and 3/32.

Now go and play with google.

for reference - 99.9% of chains have 1/2" pitch, some have 1" {v. old} or 10mm {failed shimano}

good info, ta. I'd like to say I was in the 0.1%.

Google you say?

Are there different sizes?

yes

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I'm just off to replace my 1/8" SS freewheel and chain and in the course of my research I came across some comments on the Surly website suggesting that a 3/32 freewheel and chain is a much better in terms of quality and durability. I have searched this site and I suspect this might result in a polemic by some, but, any comments, thoughts or opions?

The size won't make any difference to the quality of the freewheel as the teeth are just on the outside part so could be any size. The freewheel quality is down to the internal bearings, pawls etc,. The same quality freewheel could be made to have either size of teeth.
Saying that, the best freewheel seems to be the White Industries and that is only available in 3/32.
And the chain quality depends on what you want to spend. You can get expensive or cheap chains in 3/32 and 1/8.

Thanks. The main trust of the Surly piece was that 3/32 chains were more advanced, better designed and therefore economically better in the long run, notwithstanding the fact that they are thinner.

Surly must think Wippermann/KMC/YBN/SRAM deliberately use lower quality materials and processes on their 1/8 chains compared with their 3/32 ones. This seems unlikely.

Also, most of the clever stuff going on with 3/32 chains is about making a compromised design (bushingless) work, and making it jump off the sprockets as easily as possible. These are not things which recommend themselves to the singlespeed user. The latest and greatest development is applied to 10 speed chains which don't work with normal 3/32 single sprockets anyway.

Finally, expensive chains are not superior to cheap ones by enough to overcome the fact that you can replace the cheap one more frequently. The rest of your drive train will last longer if you use three £10 chains than if you use one £30 chain over the same cycle.

i just came across this chart from KMC about their range of chains. good to see them all lined up in comparison. i also went through the chain finder but my preference, the Z510HX, is what they recommend for track and fixed gear use, so no surprises there.

still, this could be of help for someone, so i post it up.

btw, anyone tried the KMC D101 track chain? seems a little bit less strong but the bushings design should prolong their life. but then a Z510HX costs 1/3 of it. so my guess is, that it doesn't outlast it 3 times.

Wipperman is all i've used and they are great. They turn the cog which in turn moves the wheel pretty well. Seem to last ages. Used: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=16142&src=froogle for a year with next to no wear.

Plus the connex link is great

a Z510HX costs 1/3 of it. so my guess is, that it doesn't outlast it 3 times.

i haz been using a z510 for years on mtb and bmx then recently splashed out on the z510hx, had since january, still think it is not worn enough to warrent new one though may check that later and report back.

Ive got a DID pro chain and its pretty awesome, it has an NJS stamp on every link*!!!!

*Scientifically proven to make you go at least 3x faster

i just came across this chart from KMC about their range of chains. good to see them all lined up in comparison. i also went through the chain finder but my preference, the Z510HX, is what they recommend for track and fixed gear use, so no surprises there.

still, this could be of help for someone, so i post it up.

btw, anyone tried the KMC D101 track chain? seems a little bit less strong but the bushings design should prolong their life. but then a Z510HX costs 1/3 of it. so my guess is, that it doesn't outlast it 3 times.

I've had a D101 on my bike for nearly a year, but do pretty low milage. It's an absolute bitch to shorten, I needed to take a mini grinder to it before I could use a chain breaker. This was after breaking a cheapish pin remover on it. Both ends of the pin are flattened out (unless I'm missing something) so it's very unlikely to break in use. The plates, pins and the master link are very nicely made, and most important of all, it looks quite pretty.

what chains don't need a chain breaker ? it is so much easier and nicer to break the chain via one of those quick links or a screw through link
break chains to often and you end up with damaged links small bits of swarf removed

what chains don't need a chain breaker ? it is so much easier and nicer to break the chain via one of those quick links or a screw through link
break chains to often and you end up with damaged links small bits of swarf removed

NJS chains have the screw-out pin. Quick links are usually sold separatly. I always use them on my commuter, to make cleaning the chain easier in winter.

yeah thems the bunnies
i have one on the old track machine and it's a pleasure removing the chain
i always get a knot in the pit of my stomach when i know I've got to break a chain
i just hate doing that job
it's just so much easier with a a screwdriver

For the track. There is only one chain

http://www.tracksupermarket.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=266

For the sake of running a fat looking chain, which wont rust.
http://www.tracksupermarket.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=267&zenid=7nb8012toncphl8rgpc6ftcc25
(not exactly quiet though)

yeah thems the bunnies
i have one on the old track machine and it's a pleasure removing the chain
i always get a knot in the pit of my stomach when i know I've got to break a chain
i just hate doing that job
it's just so much easier with a a screwdriver

I have a nice chain breaking tool, and years of experiance maintaining my own bikes. But I also dislike having to break my chain.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=871

None of the NJS chains are quiet. You can hear mine a mile off. Who needs quiet though anyway?

I'm going to need a new chain. What's a good chain? Are expensive ones really that much better than cheap ones? Are some chains quieter than others?

TheFinalHour, you've been here long enough to know that this has probably been discussed before.

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