Chains

[Wizard9956]

Hi all , could someone explain what is ment by a 9 speed chain , and how to go about chain sizing , ie does one measure the sprocket tooth width and pitch between the teeth to get the correct chain , or do you measure the chain rollers and pitch .

Thanks Wizard

 

[Ian]

9 speed chains are narrower than others, with some 10 speed chains being narrower still. All bicycle chains however have the same pitch of 1/2".

The reason for the width difference is that the cassette sprockets are closer together with increasing numbers of gears and therefore the chain needs to be narrower to avoid fouling adjacent sprockets.

Some mega-range cassettes need a narrower chain than the number or gears would suggest (eg some 8 speed 11-32's needs a 9 speed chain). This is because that due to the large steps in the sprocket sizes, the angle at which the chain intercepts the cassette in the higher gears would cause a wider chain to rub on the adjacent higher gear sprocket.

 

[Wizard9956]

Thanks for the info Ian , i have a 44 chain wheel and my cassette has 28 , 24 , 21 , 18 , 16 , 14 teeth sprockets , how do i tell what size chain i have . I am thinking of going up to either a 48 or 50 teeth front chain wheel . So i'm trying to work out what chain to get as the one on the bike at the moment will be to short .

Thanks
Wizard

 

[mk1]

Thanks for the info Ian , i have a 44 chain wheel and my cassette has 28 , 24 , 21 , 18 , 16 , 14 teeth sprockets , how do i tell what size chain i have . I am thinking of going up to either a 48 or 50 teeth front chain wheel . So i'm trying to work out what chain to get as the one on the bike at the moment will be to short .

Thanks
Wizard

You can use any 6/7/8/9 speed compatible chain.

Martin

 

[flecc]

As Martin says, but you'll need a chain link extractor tool to adjust the new chain down to length. Here's an example of one, buy from any good bike shop:

 

[Wizard9956]

Great info thanks , do all the 6/7/8/9 chains come at a standard length .

atb
Wizard

 

[mk1]

Great info thanks , do all the 6/7/8/9 chains come at a standard length .

atb
Wizard

Yes, it's just a matter of shortening the chain to suit.

Martin

 

[Ian]

Usually a standard 114 link chain is not long enough for a e-bike with an extended rear triangle which will need up to 140 links, in that case it's normally necessary to buy two chains, and use a portion of the second to extend the first. Alternatively a friendly bike shop may have a few links lying around. If one join is made with a removable link (e.g. SRAM power link) it will make future maintenance easier.

 

[Jeremy]

Some of us need chains that are way over 200 links, which makes buying a new chain a bit of a pain, as either two or three will have to cut and joined, depending on the length available.

Does anyone know if you can you buy chain by the foot/metre anywhere?

Jeremy

 

[flecc]

I don't know Jeremy, but maybe an email to ICE or one of the other recumbent makers might elicit an answer.

sales@ice.hpv.co.uk

Alternatively a major dealer like London Recumbents.

recumbents@aol.com
.

 

[Cyclezee]

Does belt or shaft drive have any merit on bicycles as opposed to being chain driven?
I noticed the ill fated Schwin Continental, which I thought looked fabulous, had shaft drive to hub gears and I do recall seeing a bike with belt drive, but can't remember the make?
You don't see many alternatives to chain, so I guess they are not as efficient, are too costly or both?

John

 

[Jeremy]

Thanks, Flecc. I will give them a try. I don't much like the idea of joining several chains together, although I can't say that I've ever had one break.

I just pushed the pins back in when adjusting my chain length (being a 'bent, you have to adjust the chain when setting the adjustable distance "bottom bracket" to suit leg length). I've assumed that this is OK, but notice that you can buy connecting links.

Do you have any views as to which is the better method of hooking the chain back together?

Jeremy

 

[flecc]

Does belt or shaft drive have any merit on bicycles as opposed to being chain driven?
I noticed the ill fated Schwin Continental, which I thought looked fabulous, had shaft drive to hub gears and I do recall seeing a bike with belt drive, but can't remember the make?
You don't see many alternatives to chain, so I guess they are not as efficient, are too costly or both?

John

Zero Cycles are the suppliers of the shaft drive seen on a few bikes.

I'm not keen on it's implementation though, since the rear bevel gears aren't sealed in, and when the rear wheel is removed, the greasy gears are even more exposed to picking up dirt. It needs to be redesigned to be like the BMW motorbike rear hub, wheel detachable leaving the enclosed bevel drive on the bike.

Independent tests have indicated it's quite efficient though, not much more drag than chain and fine for a utility bike.
.

 

[flecc]

Thanks, Flecc. I will give them a try. I don't much like the idea of joining several chains together, although I can't say that I've ever had one break.

I just pushed the pins back in when adjusting my chain length (being a 'bent, you have to adjust the chain when setting the adjustable distance "bottom bracket" to suit leg length). I've assumed that this is OK, but notice that you can buy connecting links.

Do you have any views as to which is the better method of hooking the chain back together?

Jeremy

Pushing back in is regarded as best Jeremy, returning the original strength. The secondary position on chain link tools is for adjusting the amount of the "push-in" when it leaves the chain pinched, and it can also be carefully used to exactly centralise the pin at the same time, returning the chain to "as new".
.

 

[Jeremy]

Thanks Flecc.

Jeremy

 

[giguana]

will a single speed 1/2" x 3/32" freewheel fit an ordinary ig mountain bike chain?

 

[flecc]

will a single speed 1/2" x 3/32" freewheel fit an ordinary ig mountain bike chain?

Yes, as the chain is probably a 3/32" on a derailleur anyway.

Even if it were a 1/8" chain that freewheel would be ok.
.