Running a 1/8 chain on 3/32 sprocket & chainring?

Ok, so does anyone have any experience of 1/8 chain with 3/32 chainring? I want a 1/8 chain cos they look better...but do I need a new chainring to go with it? Does anyone ride with the mixed setup? Any problems?

it should be ok, it's only the thickness that is different

I do. I have had no problems, infact it is recomended if your chainline is a bit out as it gives you some error tolorence.

I do not tolerate errors.

'bout the only problem with 1/8" chains on 3/32" chain rings/cogs is they tend to be a little noiser.

Ran 1/8" chain on a 3/32" chainring for quite a long time and had no noticeable problems apart from that.

I've never had a problem with running 3/32 on the front , 1/8th rear on a 1/8th chain.

obviously you just can't run a 3/32 chain on 1/8th rings/sprokets.

Great, thanks

it's fine, rode like that for years as a couier...great coz I used to get standard stronglight chainrings for 8 quid! is there such a thing as a cheap 1/8th chainring?

hope this helps

rode my single speed for 12 years with 3/32 front 1/8 rear and 1/8 chain, no probs

I'm sure people have views on this, for which I'd be grateful.

I've been getting around on a 42 x 16 fixed road conversion with an old 3/32 chain. The chainring (130 BCD) and chain are both original and just about fked and are about to be replaced. The Miche sprocket is new.

Question - is there any benefit (stronger? smoother?) to running a 1/8 chainring and chain?

Or am I thinking about this too much?

Got both on different bikes. Might be the components, or my imagination. but 3/32 feels fractionally smoother. I don't believe that there is much strength/durability difference. 1/8 is a YBN chain, 3/32 is Sram, both evenly tensioned using MKS chaintugs.

is there any benefit (stronger? smoother?) to running a 1/8 chainring and chain?

only if you're at the track and decide to change sprockets and the jumble boys have only got 1/8.

3/32 is usually quieter and can be more forgiving with a slightly "off" chainline.

any claims to 1/8 being stronger is bullcrap, as for lasting longer? well there's not any real proof of that either, a decent quality sprocket ring and chain will last a long time in either format.

Sorted. 3/32 it is then.

Thanks.

An 1/8th chain will sit fine on 3/32 chainrings and sprockets....a 3/32 won't sit on 1/8th chainrings and sprockets at all, so you have a lot more flexibilty with an 1/8th set up.....

I'm conviced 1/8th transfers more power.....

Lighter vs. heavier chain?

I get lots of offers in my email promising to make me longer lasting, may be they use 1/8 over 3/32 I'll have to ask.

This thread will do...

My drivetrain is sounding like a tractor again. And I'm tired of it. Cleaning it lasts only a day or two before it's tractor sounding again, neglecting it seems not to make any difference to volume or squeakiness.

So I'm considering running 3/32 fixed. I don't skid or skip much, I do moderate speed and brake on it... but I also run a front brake. So I don't think there's an enormous argument for the strength of a 1/8 chain.

Has anyone been riding 3/32 fixed for a while? Any problems? No-one has actually has a well-kept chain break have they? I hear hearsay, but no actual first-hand experiences have come my way.

The chain-ring is due for replacement soon anyway (almost 3 years without replacement and I can see it's not got long left)... and as that is the biggest part of the cost 3/32 looks quite compelling.

I want silence, I want ease of servicing (bike shops in the middle of nowhere will have tools and chains), ease of cleaning (my park tools chain cleaner doesn't properly fit 1/8), and reduced cost in replacing parts.

I just don't want to face-plant as a result of any potential 3/32 accident.

So... what are the cons? What's your direct experience?

Sheldon Brown recommends 3/32 doesn't he? But what did he know?

I wonder if the man himself has any answers.

I had 3/32 on the Soma up until the other month when I swapped cranks. 3/32 is fine.

Not sure if this is any help, I was running 3/32 chain for a while a it started slipping when I was out for a ride. Pushed it to BLB and they put a new 3/32 chain on it still slipped, so he changed it for a 1/8 problem solved.

*When i say slipping it felt like I had worn the taper on the BB axle and upon inspection the BB and cranks were both fine as was the lock ring, only thing left was the chain.

@ el squire, maybe that was your chain line/lack of tension slipping the chain, i've run 3/32 for over a year without problems

3/32's work fine... 1/8 singlespeed chains are just easier to come by, me thinks..

The guys at Surly claim that a 3/32 which is basically a 7 speed chain is just as strong due to the fact that bike companies have spent loads more time developing and testing multigeared chains.

3/32nd is fine for me. It's just 8 speed chain isn't it?

Not sure if this is any help, I was running 3/32 chain for a while a it started slipping when I was out for a ride. Pushed it to BLB and they put a new 3/32 chain on it still slipped, so he changed it for a 1/8 problem solved.

*When i say slipping it felt like I had worn the taper on the BB axle and upon inspection the BB and cranks were both fine as was the lock ring, only thing left was the chain.

Sounds more like a tension or chain wear issue. Fitting a new chain might have lead to correcting the tension or the other chain might have just meshed better with a worn chainring/cog. Hard to tell now though innit?