Bicycle Mechanics - chain size

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Green_chili
06-18-09, 06:45 PM
I am not sure what size chain to buy. I see chains advertised as 6/7/8 speeds and also as 10 speed plus.

I have an old road bike. It has 2 chain rings in the front and the cassette has 8 cogs. Does this make it an 8 speed? A 16 speed? I am not really sure which size chain to buy. Thanks.

CACycling
06-18-09, 06:47 PM
You need an 8 speed chain.
bluenote157
06-18-09, 06:48 PM
you need an 8 speed chain.
On a similar note.. does anyone know if a 9speed chain will work fine on a 6 speed drivetrain?

Torchy McFlux
06-18-09, 06:50 PM
You need a 7 or 8 speed chain. They'll be 7.1mm wide if it's a SRAM/KMC/Taya/whatever, or 7.4mm wide if it's a Shimano.
Torchy McFlux
06-18-09, 06:52 PM
you need an 8 speed chain.
On a similar note.. does anyone know if a 9speed chain will work fine on a 6 speed drivetrain?

No, it won't. It will tend to bind and slip.
Panthers007
06-18-09, 07:09 PM
Chains marked '8-speed' are designed to work with 5, 6, 7, and 8-speed cassettes/freewheels. 9-speeds are for 9-speeds. Ditto for 10spd - works on 10-speeds.