Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Chain shortening

I am converting a road bike into a single speed, and I was wondering if someone could answer an easy question. Can I use the multi gear chain, and shorten it with a chain tool? Or must I buy a shorter chain? I am confused whether or not I can just knock out a few links... I am reluctant to destroy the chain by just trying it.

Thanks

just get a new chain. what are you using for the freewheel? if you're going to use a bmx one, you'll need a 1/8" wide chain anyway. if you're using a cassette with spacers, you could get away with it, but i would still just get a new chain. sram pc-1's are cheap and durable in my experience...

I am using a cassette with spacers. Thanks for the tip on which chain to buy.

All new chains out of the box must be shortened by removing a few links.

I am using a cassette with spacers. Thanks for the tip on which chain to buy.

Then you can use your existing chain and remove a few links. Be aware that Shimano does not recommend using the pins in thier chains.

I am converting a road bike into a single speed, and I was wondering if someone could answer an easy question. Can I use the multi gear chain, and shorten it with a chain tool? Or must I buy a shorter chain? I am confused whether or not I can just knock out a few links... I am reluctant to destroy the chain by just trying it.

Thanks
you can shorten the chain w/ the tool opr buy one for like 12 bucks. If you are using the same cogs and chainrings shorten it, if you get new cogs get a new chain. Ah just get a new chain they're cheap ;)

I avoid shimano chains like the plague (or cheap beer). Get one like a wipperman or a sram that you can remove and add links without an issue. I don't trust a chain that you can't reuse a pin.

Cheers

(or cheap beer)


What's wrong with cheap beer? I thought PBR ingestion was a prereq for this forum...?

What's wrong with cheap beer? I thought PBR ingestion was a prereq for this forum...?
He said cheap beer, not cr@p beer.

He said cheap beer, not cr@p beer.

I'm confused. Are we allowed to drink swill?

I'm confused. Are we allowed to drink swill?

Only at the end of very, very long rides - it's only good if it's right to the head! :D

Since it's a long weekend down here in the 'Nati I'm going to wash down a Schlitz with a Burger beer. Then I will rest long and peaceful for tomorrow I ride...downtown to the Taste of Cincinnati where they are sure to only have hoity-toity, high dollar micro-brews. After one or two of those I expect I will stand tall upon the nearest mailbox and loudly lament the absence of Vienna Beef Franks and Gino's East pizza. Provided I'm not then thrown in jail I will read aloud Chapter 8 from the book of Mayo* and try to convert the masses to a more cyclo-centric lifestyle.

*Many thanks to [165] for sending me a copy.

He said cheap beer, not cr@p beer.
Pyss-guy...the only crap beer I know of comes from your area of the world, in a blue bottle.
Give me the can with the blue ribbon anyday.

']Pyss-guy...the only crap beer I know of comes from your area of the world, in a blue bottle.
Give me the can with the blue ribbon anyday.


Yeah, American beer, like sex in a canoe, ****ing close to water. You can keep the PBR, beer in a can for the true connoisseur.

Yeah, American beer, like sex in a canoe, ****ing close to water. You can keep the PBR, beer in a can for the true connoisseur.
aw...cute! Canadians can spell and use proper grammar. I would appear America has taught you losers well.

aw...cute! Canadians can spell and use proper grammar. I would appear America has taught you losers well.

Perhaps... But they certainly didn't learn their grammar from Bush.