Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 1/8 or 3/32?

i dont know which one to go with for my first build. id be commuting on it and not riding competitively or really hard. any suggestions?

do you already have cranks?

yeah. 130bcd. but i dont have chain rings or cogs yet.

Personally, I don't think it matters for a darn in terms of performance.
However, if you go with 1/8", you have a wider variety of SS-oriented chains available, including the availability of dirt-cheap crappy BMX chains if you're going to be running the bike as a beater. Of course, the spectrum goes the other way too, you can get some really great track and hefty BMX chains. My guess would be that the majority of GOOD 3/32" chains would be derailleur-oriented (although technically that probably doesn't matter either).

I was greatly disappointed to see that Bianchi Pistas apparently come with 3/32" chains today. 1/8" is the way to go with all the neat track and BMX stuff available.

Go with 3/32.

The man Sheldon Brown sez, "I would generally advise using the 3/32" (derailer) size. It is lighter, more compatible with your existing chainwheels, and likely to run smoother if the chainline is less than perfect, due to beveled side plates. In my experience, 3/32" chain is no less durable or reliable than 1/8"."

I've been using SRAM 8-speed chains on both my single speed mountain bike and my fixed gear bike for years with no problems whatsoever. I think it might also be more generally available than BMX or track specific chain.

if you go with 3/32 chainring and cog you can use 3/32 or 1/8 chain without a problem

yeah. 130bcd. but i dont have chain rings or cogs yet.

your choices of 1/8" chainrings in 130BCD are quite limited. I think only TA make them. Stronglight maybe too.
In any case, they're pretty hard to find.

Just go with 3/32"

yeah. 130bcd. but i dont have chain rings or cogs yet.

130 BCD is Shimano road standard- go with 3/32" - it is a no-brainer.

Go with 3/32.

The man Sheldon Brown sez, "I would generally advise using the 3/32" (derailer) size. It is lighter, more compatible with your existing chainwheels, and likely to run smoother if the chainline is less than perfect, due to beveled side plates. In my experience, 3/32" chain is no less durable or reliable than 1/8"."

The Sram PC-1 1/8 chain has beveled side plates. Nice and silent, dirt cheap, and has a master link that actually works.

And 1/8 is sexy.

Edit: it surprises me that Sheldon mentions the weight difference. How much can it be? 10 grams? Ok, it's a moving part, but there is no way that sort of minute weight difference is more relevant than the small, but definitely existing durability difference.

As bostontrevor said though, unless you're running 144BCD cranks, the selection of chainrings in 1/8" is slim. May as well go with 3/32 and replace your chain a little more often ;)

I was greatly disappointed to see that Bianchi Pistas apparently come with 3/32" chains today. 1/8" is the way to go with all the neat track and BMX stuff available.

I find it odd that most (if not all) companies make track cogs in 3/32, but they don't seem to make 3/32 chainrigs (highend) for track cranks. I know that 3/32 is not NJS and all, but... I think I forgot where I was going with this. Anyone else know where this was going? Sorry.

i think another important consideration is if you're riding brakeless or not. i've heard people swearing that 3/32 is just as strong as 1/8, but i just don't see how a thin-plated 3/32 chain can have the same strength as a heavy-plated 1/8 bmx chain.
...so if you're riding with a brake, then it probably doesn't matter as long as its a quality chain. but without brakes i would go for something massive.

I find it odd that most (if not all) companies make track cogs in 3/32, but they don't seem to make 3/32 chainrigs (highend) for track cranks. I know that 3/32 is not NJS and all, but... I think I forgot where I was going with this. Anyone else know where this was going? Sorry.

whatchatalkinboutWillis?

you can get DA, Sugino, Salsa, Blackspire..... track rings in 3/32"

Also, if you want to cop your replacement chainrings from old ten- and twelve-speeds, 3/32 lets you do that (although this pretty much limits you to 39, 40, 42, 50, 51, or 52 teeth; but that's actually plenty of options).

i think another important consideration is if you're riding brakeless or not. i've heard people swearing that 3/32 is just as strong as 1/8, but i just don't see how a thin-plated 3/32 chain can have the same strength as a heavy-plated 1/8 bmx chain.
...so if you're riding with a brake, then it probably doesn't matter as long as its a quality chain. but without brakes i would go for something massive.

when was the last time you saw someone snap a side-plate of a 3/32" chain?
I'm willing to bet....never.

Chains generally fail at the rivets. Generally due to improper assembly.

sideways movement with derailleurs and gear clusters can break chains.
i don't think you have to worry about that on a fixed or ss.

whatchatalkinboutWillis?

you can get DA, Sugino, Salsa, Blackspire..... track rings in 3/32"

Yup and even NJS approved. I have a sugino 3/32 NJS chainring.
Strange I know, since I never heard of a 3/32 NJS chain.
I run it with the KMC Z610HX chain. It was developed for BMX and is one of the strongest chains out there. Very quiet too.

Well *****...

when was the last time you saw someone snap a side-plate of a 3/32" chain?
I'm willing to bet....never.

Chains generally fail at the rivets. Generally due to improper assembly.

well, i have seen a side-plate snap ...but the rivet or pin is anchored in the side plate and the failing of the pin usually involves the pin coming out of the side-plate. i think the thicker the side-plate, the less likely it is that the pin will be able to be pulled out due to a shearing force.

it depends on the chain. I have seen pins coming loose in a regina high end track chain the way you describe it. It was a 1/8th. Sideplate thickness does not equal strength. It is the type and treatment of metal (generally steel) that is the determining factor when it comes to strength. Same with pins some chains use mushroomed pins that will stay in a lot better than some that use straight pins. Pins working out of links often has to do with improper chainline. The KMC chain I talked about above is made for both 3/32 and 1/8. Both are rated to the exact same tensile strength. Both are equally strong. If you think about it the main difference betw. 3/32 and 1/8 is pin and roller length. Why would a shorter pin be weaker?
Of course the main problem with most 3/32 chains are that they are made for shifty bikes where weight and shifteability is of great concern. I used some PC48 once and that thing stretched like bubblegum. I used some cheapo Izumi 1/8 and that stretched too. It is not a matter of width, but of construction. The KMC Z610hx lasted me 8 months of daily handbrakeless riding. They cost 15 bux or so. here is some reading on it: http://www.aggrobikes.com/product_info.php?products_id=132

Schoeni grueess us sf. Hoffae dae winter isch nonig zu sehr im aamarsch.

Pins working out of links often has to do with improper chainline.

or some drunken hack not paying attention to his work with the chain breaker.

I don't know waht you guys are tlaking about. 3/32" chain is as strong as 1/8".
Pins do not "fall out of side plates", unless you really **** up the install.

Chains are subject to a much higher torque on derailleur equipped bikes than on a fixed gear.

or some drunken hack not paying attention to his work with the chain breaker.

That too of course!!

But, with that regina chain that was not the case. The pins were very lose in general. You could almost push them out by hand. Same is true for the bolt and screw master links on some of the high end izumis. Good for the track I guess but i would not trust it on the street because it can work loose. Unless you locktite it or something. Then again why bother, chainbreaker does the trick.

To sort of piggyback, is there any difference on the speed with which 3/32" cogs and chainrings wear down as compared to 1/8" cogs and chainrings? It's probably not enough to make a big difference, but with 1/8" stuff the same amount of force is put on a bigger contact area than on 3/31", which to me would make it wear down more slowly.

Or am I just insane?

Makes sense to me in theory. Provided everything is equal. (I doubt it will be noticed in actual riding.)


However, Wear also depends on:

1. Material. Cheap aluminum will wear faster than fancy aluminum. Heat treated cogs will last longer than stamped ones. etc

2. Riding style and weight.

3. Alignment and fit of components.

These three seem more crucial than a 1/32 difference in the cog, chainring and chain width.

I like my 3/8 chain KMC extreme 415 personally.its as big around as my chainstay... and broke the shops chain tool to take apart....thats a real man's chain..lol

I like my 3/8 chain KMC extreme 415 personally.its as big around as my chainstay... and broke the shops chain tool to take apart....thats a real man's chain..lol

Sounds like an even beefier version of the Connex Super Heavy Duty chain I've got. I'm just glad it came exactly the right length for 45x18 - it doesn't come anywhere close to fitting into my chain tool. Great chain, just pricey, heavy, and noisy. To that end, I am reminded of [165] saying, while riding on the track, something along the lines of, "Dude, that is the noisiest ******** chain..."

i started a thread like this a few months ago while I was replacing my drivetrain, and I got a lot of the same answers. Now i am riding 1/8" chain, cog and ring, and I have to say that I can't really tell the difference. For a while I was using 1/8" chain and chainring with a 3/32" cog, and that worked fine too.

I have concluded that running an 1/8" chain is superior, because you can use either 3/32" or 1/8" toothed rings and cogs. Thus with a 1/8" chain, you have a wider availability of parts at your disposal.

^ if you don't mind the noise...

^ if you don't mind the noise...
exactly..right now my bike is really noisy (and probably dangerous). i put two old bmx chains together and have a 3/32 cog in the back and a cheapo steel 1/8" chainring in the front. the bmx chains aren't even the same model or brand and are slightly different width. i have been riding on it for about 2.5 weeks with no problem other than it annoying me...severely. it sounds like those little plastic things you used to put on your spokes when you were a kid that would slide up and down and make noise when you would ride from hit your hub and rim. anyway..im waiting for my new chainring (3/32) to be delivered so i can put this brand new 3/32 chain on that i have laying around.

That sounds disgustingly ghettofabulous. Pics?

hmm no camera...not really that exciting to see anyway...but the SOUND. hmmm i should record some audio of me spinning the cranks LOLLL

Tune in next week for my pop can saddlepost shim tutorial ...

actually, running 1/8" chain on either the 1/8" or 3/32" cog is nearly silent, and a lot quieter than running the 3/32" chain previously.

hey, a little bit off topic, but still sort of on--i had a 3/32" drivetrain that was 48X16. i converted it to an 1/8" 49X16 (the sugino 75's came with a 49. i figured i'd try it out). it's tons harder on my quads at the cadence i usually spin.

does the difference between 1/8" and 3/32" and 1 chainring tooth really affect gear inches that much?

if i want to more accurately approximate the feeling of the 48X16 3/32" in an 1/8" drivetrain with a 16t cog, should i be running a 47t chainring instead of the 49t or do i just go to 48t?

thanks for any advice.

the chain width has nothing to do with the gear inches.
it's just the space in beteween the links, that's why you can't use a 3/32 chain on a 1/8 cog or ring.
if you want 48x16... just go to 48x16.

cool. thanks.

Tune in next week for my pop can saddlepost shim tutorial ...


does it make me a hipster/poseur because I used a PBR can to shim my seatpost??

does it make me a hipster/poseur because I used a PBR can to shim my seatpost??

If you really want to keep it street, use one of these (http://ffpco.com/productpics/thumbnails/1056662291.gif) cans. For my part, having majored in Latin American Studies back in college, I always cut my seatpost shims from these (http://www.pacificrimgourmet.com/images/photos/41331-02777.jpg).

I was greatly disappointed to see that Bianchi Pistas apparently come with 3/32" chains today. 1/8" is the way to go with all the neat track and BMX stuff available.

Do you mean the 06 Bianchi Pista comes with the 3/32" chains??? What is the chain ring size on the new Bianchi Pista??

Thanks,
Mack

I've hopped a 3/32" chain off the cog (with tugs and proper tension) smacking a curb. Maybe it was a the beveled edge and the impact? I mean, they're designed to slide off cogs and chainrings for derailleur use.

Never had an issue with 1/8".