Classic & Vintage - Big & fat Shimano UG bulged chain - anyone still remember this?

I've been trying to dig up some of the old wide Dura-Ace (or any form of) UG chain from the late '80s, the stuff usually used with the twist-tooth Dura-Ace 6-speed and 600-series 6-speed freewheels.

So far, I've unearthed 3/4 of a full chain at the LBS, and this was the first and last I've ever seen of this stuff.

I've located one or two pieces of the narrow UG (for 7-speed) of the same era since then, but passed on it, for the main reason I'm using the wide chain is to avoid slippage of the chain when switching from the big to the small ring on my Campagnolo Victory and Triomphe cranksets.

Anyone still using this stuff? Anyone still know of this stuff? Anyone have some spare to part with? *hint hint*

Take care,

-Kurt

Just threw in one in the trash (yesterday!) It came on an old Trek that I had. I had it laying around the basement for about a year. Sorry!

Just threw in one in the trash (yesterday!) It came on an old Trek that I had. I had it laying around the basement for about a year. Sorry!

That's all right - chances are it could have been worn a bit beyond use. This one, luckly, doesn't seem to have many miles, if any.

-Kurt

I've located one or two pieces of the narrow UG (for 7-speed) of the same era since then, but passed on it, for the main reason I'm using the wide chain is to avoid slippage of the chain when switching from the big to the small ring on my Campagnolo Victory and Triomphe cranksets.



-Kurt

I am using SRAM 9 speed chain on four of my bikes, one with NR, one with SR cranks, the others SSP and Cyclone and have no problems. It shifts better on both ends than the wider chain I was using.

I am using SRAM 9 speed chain on four of my bikes, one with NR, one with SR cranks, the others SSP and Cyclone and have no problems. It shifts better on both ends than the wider chain I was using.

Curious, what is the actual width of your 9 speed chain?

Both of my Campagnolo Triomphe-equipped machines are running older Sedis chains, and both never fail to cause chain skating over the small chainwheel when shifting down from the big ring to the small.

Take care,

-Kurt

SRAM PC-991. I did not measure it, but specs are 1/2 x 3/32

SRAM PC-991. I did not measure it, but specs are 1/2 x 3/32

So happens to be the same general specs as given to any derailer chain out there. I tried a spare Shimano HG chain that I had, only to find that it skated between the rings as well, and also on a Victory crankset as well (figured I'd check to see that Campag didn't pull a fast one with Triomphe).

Incedentally, I checked the chain stretch of all three chains (the worn Sedis, the Dura-Ace UG, and the Shimano HG), and they all checked out as being 1/2" between pins. However, the Shimano HG chain (the only replacement chain I have enough links of to join) skipped nonstop over the old 600 freewheel. May I ask just how in the HELL do you tell whether these things are worn or not then?

-Kurt

Probably too late, but back in the summer my local Performance shop had a closeout of their stock of this old UG chain, still in the original pkg. I didn't have any use for it, so passed, but I remember it was around $13.

Probably too late, but back in the summer my local Performance shop had a closeout of their stock of this old UG chain, still in the original pkg. I didn't have any use for it, so passed, but I remember it was around $13.

:mad: Oh well. Too bad the local shops don't have this stuff.

In fact, I checked one of the local shops (the overpriced one that has lots of Campagnolo) today to see if I could, in fact, find an NOS box of it there. As usual, no luck. Also so happened that I finally exploded at the owner of the shop as well for his price wandering - he quoted me $50 for an NOS Campag Victory caliper that he distinctly priced at $25 a week ago.

-Kurt