Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 1/8" vs. 3/32" for fixed applications

What do you think is better for a fixed gear, 1/8" chains or 3/32", in terms of noise and function?

3/32" is lighter, cheaper and more readily available (although BMX chains are 1/8", and are pretty cheap and common). 1/8" is a relic from a by-gone era that still happens to be a standard for track racing.

Go with 3/32".

Eh... I say neither.

If you have all 1/8" components then 1/8" is better. If you have all 3/32" components then 3/32" is better.

I mean... I suppose 1/8" is "stronger" but I'd be surprised if that many people were actually busting properly setup 3/32" chains.

Eh... I say neither.

Neither? So how do you pedal?

i have a 3/32 on my conversion, only because i bought a cog with hopes of using my old cranks, chainring, and chain. It turned out to not matter, since i ended up replacing everything anyway, but it works just fine.

What do you think is better for a fixed gear, 1/8" chains or 3/32", in terms of noise and function?

Noise wise, go 3/32. There's almost no reason to go 1/8 except for longevity of drivetrain. It also weighs more. If you have a track crank you might not even have a choice.

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has anyone ever heard of either size chain breaking or failing on a fixed?

Haaaaaahahah Boss

I run 1/8 chain only because I'm always running a mix of 3/32 & 1/8 cogs and rings on different bikes.

has anyone ever heard of either size chain breaking or failing on a fixed?

Chains break or fail all the time, but it being fixed or not is irrelevant.

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Can anyone tell me what bb for my sugino 75 cranks?

Neither? So how do you pedal?

HAHAHAHA! I meant neither is better.

Chains break or fail all the time, but it being fixed or not is irrelevant.

it serves relevant when braking is involved.
i guess to be more specific i'm just curious if anyone has rode fixed, had a chain break on them, and now swears by hand brakes.

it serves relevant when braking is involved.
i guess to be more specific i'm just curious if anyone has rode fixed, had a chain break on them, and now swears by hand brakes.

I haven't... but Im trying REALLY hard to get that to happen.

it serves relevant when braking is involved.
i guess to be more specific i'm just curious if anyone has rode fixed, had a chain break on them, and now swears by hand brakes.

Way to miss the point. He means that whether or not a chain is being used in a geared application or a no-gear application has no bearing on chain failure. As usual chain failure is caused by several things.

1) installation error
2) extreme wear
3) external damage
4) manufacturing defect

1 and 2 is by far the most comomn.

If you suck at wrenching or really don't want to take the chance then run a brake, or be 100% vigilant everywhere, all the time.

Way to miss the point. He means that whether or not a chain is being used in a geared application or a no-gear application has no bearing on chain failure. As usual chain failure is caused by several things.

1) installation error
2) extreme wear
3) external damage
4) manufacturing defect

1 and 2 is by far the most comomn.

If you suck at wrenching or really don't want to take the chance then run a brake, or be 100% vigilant everywhere, all the time.

I had a 3 week old chain break (dont remember brand or size) going down a long steep hill in traffic! I was efing shocked, I chalk it up to number 4 ^. I run a break so there was no panic.

I use 1/8 because 1/8 single speed chains can be had at any bike shop for 10 bucks. Also, I can use either the 1/8 or 3/32 cogs and chain rings that I have been accumulating. I'm not sure if you can use a 3/32 chain with a 1/8 cog.

I'm not sure if you can use a 3/32 chain with a 1/8 cog.

You can't. It's smart to buy 3/32" components, because they're cheap and common, and run them with a 1/8" BMX chains, for the same reason. Also, 3/32" components with a 1/8" chain allows you a little more wiggle room if you have an imperfect chainline.

1/8 chain, whatever ring/cog.

I use 1/8 because 1/8 single speed chains can be had at any bike shop for 10 bucks.

3/32 chains can also be had at any bike shop for $10.

Its sort of a pain in the ass to get a 3/32 single speed chain and I have never liked the idea that the 8 speed chains are designed to derail.

Its sort of a pain in the ass to get a 3/32 single speed chain and I have never liked the idea that the 8 speed chains are designed to derail.

Whoa way to be misinformed. A 3/32 single speed chain is functionally no different than ones labelled for 7, 8, 9 or 10 speed. Road chains that are designed to be shifted only differ in that they have greater strength when they are flexed sideways due to shifting loads - this makes it stronger not weaker. And it does not mean that they "derail" more because of this, which is what I think your concern is.

There's no reason to go and specifically look for a "single-speed" specific chain when 7/8 speed "road" chains do the same job but better and are widely available.

3/32 chains can also be had at any bike shop for $10.

Not in my experience. They're usually like $20+, compared to $7-$10 for a KMC BMX chain.

Not in my experience. They're usually like $20+, compared to $7-$10 for a KMC BMX chain.

Time to frequent better, well stocked shops.

Time to frequent better, well stocked shops.

Well I worked there.

I've only had a 3/32 chain once. It was the only bike I've ever had with an absolutely silent drivetrain. I loved it. Now I've got sugino 75 and big 1/8 NJS chain. I sorta wish I had that cheaper quieter set up. I would do it again if there was a chainring in 144 BCD that was 3/32. That way I could keep my crankset. Is there a chainring like that?

144 BCD is the old Campagnolo road standard. You can probably find some old road rings that will be 3/32". I think I have a few in the parts bin.

I've only had a 3/32 chain once. It was the only bike I've ever had with an absolutely silent drivetrain. I loved it. Now I've got sugino 75 and big 1/8 NJS chain. I sorta wish I had that cheaper quieter set up. I would do it again if there was a chainring in 144 BCD that was 3/32. That way I could keep my crankset. Is there a chainring like that?

Yeah, dura ace makes a 3/32 144bcd chainring. They obviously cost quite a bit though.

Try this one (http://cgi.ebay.com/CAMPAGNOLO-Nuovo-Record-Record-49T-road-chainring_W0QQitemZ220210046293QQihZ012QQcategoryZ36133QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l 1247QQcmdZViewItem), hooters. $26 shipped, 49t.

http://i5.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/c9/15/90b3_1.JPG

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What's the best tire for skidding?

Whoa way to be misinformed. A 3/32 single speed chain is functionally no different than ones labelled for 7, 8, 9 or 10 speed. Road chains that are designed to be shifted only differ in that they have greater strength when they are flexed sideways due to shifting loads - this makes it stronger not weaker. And it does not mean that they "derail" more because of this, which is what I think your concern is.

There's no reason to go and specifically look for a "single-speed" specific chain when 7/8 speed "road" chains do the same job but better and are widely available.

Whoa way to be a ****** ass canadian. you sound like a bigger ******* than me.
i bet you post thousands of witty reply's on forums about sex too, cause your definitly not a ****ing dork.

What is your point, patric? He is right.

What is your point, patric? He is right.

yeah i know. i should probably delete that before i get another thread closed.

just kidding operator. be more positive though..

i have like 9 million feet of 3/16 chain left over from selling road bike conversions.

the surly came with a 3/32 and i changed things over to a 1/8th(dont ask why!) and the only thing i notice is the 1/8 has more noise and it seems a bit thicker..but duh

yes, it would seem a bit thicker. as you said, duh. anyway, are 1/8 chains really noiser? it makes sense if it is running on 3/32 components, but what about if it's on 1/8 components?

edit: this is probably in one of those 20 some threads posted earlier.

1/8th components on 1/8th chain ride like a dream

1/8th components on 1/8th chain ride like a dream

I've always road 1/8" on my track bikes, and I never felt like it was anything special. Spend a few hours at the velodrome listening to 1/8" chains grind away and rumble through disc wheels, and you'll be covering your ears.

I ride 1/8" only because it makes sense to me that it should last longer. Larger contact area = less force per square inch. On the other hand, this could also be achieved by using larger cogs and rings together, which I didn't do (started out 14x40).

^^^ that thick, big crap's too heavy. . .;)

I have a 1/8th chain and small rings and cogs. loud but i dont mind really.

Am I the only person who likes the way the shiny KMC bmx chains look?

All my chains are shiny.


I have a red KMC chain. Its perty.

it serves relevant when braking is involved.
i guess to be more specific i'm just curious if anyone has rode fixed, had a chain break on them, and now swears by hand brakes.

I threw a chain on my conversion the other night and nearly **** my pants. i cant imagine doing that in traffic.

Well I worked there.

lulz.

Tell your manager that you can order Shimano IG chains for below single digit prices.

i rode like a week straight with my ipod on and in some rain.. chain was so loud when my battery died during a ride. gotta carry some lube with you.
oh and it was a 1/8 chain.

yea i did notice a difference but due to the winter i ride more on my trainer so i cant tell if the noise is coming from the trainer or the drive train.. or which is more prevalent.

Whoa way to be misinformed. A 3/32 single speed chain is functionally no different than ones labelled for 7, 8, 9 or 10 speed. Road chains that are designed to be shifted only differ in that they have greater strength when they are flexed sideways due to shifting loads - this makes it stronger not weaker. And it does not mean that they "derail" more because of this, which is what I think your concern is.

There's no reason to go and specifically look for a "single-speed" specific chain when 7/8 speed "road" chains do the same job but better and are widely available.


Since I am also no fan of misinformation, I must point out that this couldn't be more incorrect.

An 8 speed chain is best for an 8 speed drive train, while a single speed chain is optimized for a single speed system. Here are a couple of the key differences:

The side plates of modern multi-speed chains are beveled, while single speed chains lack this characteristic. This beveling facilitates smooth gear changes on a multispeed bicycle, but encourages chain throws on a single speed.

Single speed chains are lateraly stiffer than multi speed chains; they don't flex side to side nearly as much as a multi speed chain does. This lateral stifness also helps to maintain a straight chain line and prevent chain throws.

Try wrapping a single speed chain around the outermost chainring and the innermost cog on a MTB tripple, and you will see that these two types of chains are far from the same. You are confusing strength with flexibility.

If you you hold a quality 3/32 single speed chain (such as the KMC 610hx) side by side with a multi speed chain, you will easily be able to see and feel the difference.

What do you think is better for a fixed gear, 1/8" chains or 3/32", in terms of noise and function?

The only advantage of 1/8 is that you will have a greater selection of track specific chainrings. There is no evidence to support 1/8 being stronger than 3/32. People who complain of reliability issues with 3/32 chains on a single speed or fixed gear often use the wrong chain (8 speed chain). The KMC 610HX is the best single speed 3/32 chain, bar none. Don't confuse this with the cheaper KMC chains. These are bushingless and surprisingly quiet. You will have no problems with a 610 and at $15 it's a steal!