Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Need a good, basic chain...recs?

Hi...I am new here. I just posted in the introductions section.

I just bought a Gios Torino Super Record Pista to have fun with...take on the track to spin (not compete), weekend road rides, etc.

I need a good, basic chain....quiet, not too pricey. Any recommendations? Also, who do you recommend buying from?

Thanks, Nick

p.s....here's a pic of the frame that I bought, and it should be here tomorrow. I have all the components, so I just need to build it up. The chain is the last link...pun intended.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd37/nguisto22/Pista.jpg

KMC chains time and time again I read good reviews here. I had one on a bike too. www.universalcycles.com (http://www.universalcycles.com) .. other stores too. This place has alot of chains, all prices, single sp. too. The site has dozens, just click-on the chain section. other places as well but Uni. has everything AND a sales staff.

NICE bike !

Thanks! Thanks for the rec and the compliment :)

I use a KMC Z-Chain. I got it for $10 at a local bike shop.

I was going to buy the KMC Z-Chain...I'll go that route. Thanks.

KMC 410 (Z-chain)- strong, quiet, cheap. after breaking two other chains (ouch), KMC is the only way i fly. i even run a $10 KMC chain on my teschner. love 'em.

Perfect....that is the one for sure. :thumb:

I'm gonna say the Sram PC-1 has been my favorite. Also cheap and super durable.


ps, If you ever, EVER think about selling that bike and it's between a 53/54, please contact me. It's amazing and would match my road bike <3

Sweet bike!

I don't know what they cost elsewhere, but in Japan the HKK blue is an NJS chain for about $15. Quiet and bulletproof.

if you can develop more than 500 watts from a standing start (that's not much for a start) you'll quickly find that the "PC" in SRAM PC-1 stands for "Piece of Crap". there is not enough head on the rivets, the outer plates pull right off. did it more than once. especially dangerous on the street w/o brakes if that's your thing. i really want to warn the world about sram chains. broke SRAM's top model 9-speed, too. chains should not break.

KMC K710 "Kool" chain.

I've seen this $20 chain on $15,000 track bikes. Seriously.

If I remember correctly, the break force is rated at 3,000 lbs for that chain. I've used it off and on for a few years.

I will post some pics of it, but I just received the frame on Monday. BTW, it is a 54cm square.

So, I just picked up:
-Campy NR 165mm crankset
-Campy Pista headset, NOS
-Campy NR 70P120 109mm BB
-Campy SR seatpost
-Campy 15t cog
-KMC chain

From my previous track bikes, I had:
-SR Pista pedals
-Bar/stem
-Campy Sheriff Star wheelset
-White Concor saddle...or I may go with the perforated white Regal


I need:
-Campy seatpost binder bolt
-new tires

It is coming along nicely. I may have it restored in the future, but it has a nice patina to it right now. Like I said, I will not ride this one hard...it is just for fun...heading up to the track on my days off for a nice ride.

I have always wanted a Gios Torino since I was a kid :love: and it took me a long time to find a Pista for sale. I love the purity and art of a track bike.

Seriously? Z-Chains? Those things are garbage. They stretch after two rides and snap easily. My favorite track chain is the Wipperman Whitestar, which looks shape and is cheap.

My Z-Chain hasn't really stretched, or snapped, after two full seasons of weekly racing. I also had one on a street fixed gear for about a year, and it worked fine.

For the most bang for the buck, go with the KMC Z510HX >>>> http://www.worldclasscycles.com/kmc_z510hx_chain.htm Cost at WCC is $16.50.

if you can develop more than 500 watts from a standing start (that's not much for a start) you'll quickly find that the "PC" in SRAM PC-1 stands for "Piece of Crap". there is not enough head on the rivets, the outer plates pull right off. did it more than once. especially dangerous on the street w/o brakes if that's your thing. i really want to warn the world about sram chains. broke SRAM's top model 9-speed, too. chains should not break.


Eh, I've never had an issue. I've rode them on the street but I only use them for track racing now. I've put a lot of races into it and never had any creaks, snaps, or any issues at all. Really I'd just suggest anything but Z chains. I might try that Wipperman out when my PC-1's lookin' done.

since i was working on my bike, and i had calipers handy, i decided to check chain stretch on the kmc z410 on my street fixie (3000+ km on chain, ridden year-round and only oiled when it gets noisy) vs. a new z410 i had on hand for my track bike. i measured roller to roller across 6 links. stretch was 0.226%, which is only .027 inches per foot, or about .001 per link. that's imperceptible.

i'm not trying to be argumentative. i've ridden since i was a tot, and i love these chains.