Tandem Cycling - 120 or 114 links chain on tandem?

Today my Schwinn Duo sport tandem got updated from 5 speed freewheel to 6 speed freewheel. Works very good and no adjustment needed.

The chain is old and i want to put a new one on. The old chain has 120 links but the LBS sells SRAM chain in 114 links. So my problem is should i just add links to the chain and keep it all the same; it works good right now with 120 links. The derailleur is straight up and down or should i go the easy route and slap on out of the box a 114 links chain.

My gut says stay with the 120 count.

thanks

Duo

Here is an idea:

Take six links out of your old chain and try it in all extreme gear combinations.

When taking the links out make sure you just push the pin far enough to remove the 6 links then use the same pin to form your 114 link "test" chain.

My guess is that it will not work unless the old chain was way overqualified for the job. Six links are a lot of links!

Here is an idea:

Take six links out of your old chain and try it in all extreme gear combinations.


My guess is that it will not work unless the old chain was way overqualified for the job. Six links are a lot of links!

thanks, i have the extra chain so prolly best to just keep it at 120 links. Tandems have taught me alot about bike mech, this is just another lesson.

Still having fun with a cheap tandem (my other tandem): it has a chain tensioner that does not quite get the chain tight enuf (chain falls off, o joy). So now i am looking for half links to shorten the chain or a bigger idler wheel. When i get good enuf, then may have to look into the recumbent bike scene. :)

114 links did not work but 118 did. The new freewheel is smaller in first gear so it is not an issue. This was a good experience as i have just gotten back into serious cycling and have never changed a chain before. SRAM makes it easy with the final link that snaps together.

114 links did not work but 118 did. The new freewheel is smaller in first gear so it is not an issue. This was a good experience as i have just gotten back into serious cycling and have never changed a chain before. SRAM makes it easy with the final link that snaps together.

Try this:
1. Wrap the chain around your biggest front chainring and biggest rear cog bypassing the rear derailleur.
2. Figure out the shortest place where you could rejoin the chain (there's narrow and wide links).
3. Add 1 inch of chain to that length (your SRAM link is 1/2" so you need to add 1 narrow link).
Don't forget to thread the chain through the derailleur before you connect the chain.

That'll give you the shortest chain that will work safely with your gearing combination. A too short chain, if you ever accidentally shift into the big/big combination, can cause a lot of damage before you realize what you have done.

Try this:
1. Wrap the chain around your biggest front chainring and biggest rear cog bypassing the rear derailleur.
2. Figure out the shortest place where you could rejoin the chain (there's narrow and wide links).
3. Add 1 inch of chain to that length (your SRAM link is 1/2" so you need to add 1 narrow link).
Don't forget to thread the chain through the derailleur before you connect the chain.

That'll give you the shortest chain that will work safely with your gearing combination. A too short chain, if you ever accidentally shift into the big/big combination, can cause a lot of damage before you realize what you have done.

thanks. Basically what i did. The old freewheel had 34 teeth and the new has 28 in the big cog. It basically runs the same now. Had to change the chain as the bike was sold to me with a rusty chain and i wanted the new freewheel to have a fine start. The Shimano 6 speed freewheel looks like a work of art, and is very sweet to travel with over the old 5 speed. May eventually try a 7 speed freewheel as these friction shifters seem to not be bothered by the switch.