Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Best Chain?

Let the can of worms begin heh! So I did some searching here but didnt see any threads on the matter... I just wanted to get some opinions on the best SS/track chains... Thanks.

Pick one: http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm#chains

My favourite chain in KMC Z710... for $24.00 you cannot do much better and it is hellishly strong, runs quiet, and seems to last forever.

My favourite chain in KMC Z710... for $24.00 you cannot do much better and it is hellishly strong, runs quiet, and seems to last forever.

That's a great chain. It's on my short list of favorites, too. Along with the Izumi Eco and Izumi Model V.

You can get the K710 from just about any shop that carries BMX parts. It's designed to be a BMX street riding chain.

The K710 is 1/8"
The K810 is 3/32"
The K910 is 3/16" (I think this is an oversized BMX thing)
"SL" means that it's up to 20% lighter. They have slot holes in the plates.

$17 at http://www.danscomp.com/464012.php?cat=PARTS

Wipperman 108 isn't quietest chain, but pretty good. Not much talk about em tho.

Anyone used Miche Primo Track chain? Now I bought one, I realized it looks like K410 chrome plated. :(

That's a great chain. It's on my short list of favorites, too. Along with the Izumi Eco and Izumi Model V.

You can get the K710 from just about any shop that carries BMX parts. It's designed to be a BMX street riding chain.

The K710 is 1/8"
The K810 is 3/32"
The K910 is 3/16" (I think this is an oversized BMX thing)
"SL" means that it's up to 20% lighter. They have slot holes in the plates.

$17 at http://www.danscomp.com/464012.php?cat=PARTS

The Kool chain also comes in a half link version and I don't think any of it costs more than $25.00 msrp unless you opt for the gold anodized version and can usually be bought at a nice discount.

For multi geared drives I prefer SRAM as it is a little smoother and quieter in this application.

The k710 is great but $24 for one sounds steep. I bought a k710 sl for $16 and change from niagara cycle works. Great shop might I add.

BikeSomeWhere has k710 and k810 for $11.39
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/520/4983/30862
Can anyone tell me if these chains are very quiet?

http://www.benscycle.net/images/IzumiV1.jpg
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1486_1487&products_id=631

I guess?

BikeSomeWhere has k710 and k810 for $11.39
http://www.bikesomewhere.com/bikesomewhere.cfm/product/520/4983/30862
Can anyone tell me if these chains are very quiet?

is there a difference in strength between the two? i like the look of those k810s.

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1486_1487&products_id=631

This is just as good for $24 less >>> http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/887507819/index.html

I'd like to try a super toughness.

I've always been a KMC K710SL fan, but I got a D101 and it's super solid. The Kool chains are generally pretty consistent. I like those as a go to 1/8".

SRAM? its what i have. best? i dunno.

This is just as good for $24 less >>> http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/887507819/index.html

I plan on getting the Eco as my next chain.

This is just as good for $24 less >>> http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/887507819/index.html

For all intents and purposes, maybe.

But the model "V" is compared to the Eco as


The durability [of the V] is more than 3 times as much as that of the standard type [the Eco]. This is the finest grade track racer chain, and keeps running stably over a long period.

http://www.izumichain.co.jp/en/product.html

Unless you are a really big guy turning lots of torque, the Eco is fine.

For all intents and purposes, maybe.

But the model "V" is compared to the Eco as



http://www.izumichain.co.jp/en/product.html

Unless you are a really big guy turning lots of torque, the Eco is fine.

It's not the ECO, it's the ESH, which is also NJS stamped. They don't make the ESH anymore, just the more expensive V. I think the ESH is comparable to the V.

I got more chain noise with the ESH vs. the V. IMO the V is the best chain currently available. Whether it's worth the money to a given individual is another question. I'm still debating it with myself.

Despite being a chain snob, I have actually had very good results with whatever 1/8" chain Giant is currently putting its name on. $10, and I even used the master link.

On a more general note, I think discussion about strength is foolish. Any modern chain is more than adequately strong for even the strongest rider. Wear may be a worthwhile question, but I have never seen any valid wear comparisons. Just anecdotes of various credibility.

I put the ESH chain on my track bike this winter, after using the original KMC K-5A chain for 4 years. Although the KMC never stretched very much, it was always extremely noisy and seemed to create excessive drag, especially on a 13T cog. The ESH is much quieter and smoother. One thing I noticed when I removed the KMC chain was that the inner links lacked a connecting bushing, but instead the link plates were pressed inward at the pin holes to form a bushing around the pin. This seems like a very crude and cheap way to form the links and may account for the rough operation. I also like the fact that the ESH chain uses a bolted connection instead of a masterlink. My old school steel track bike (Paramount P14) has a Reynold chain than has lasted for eons and is very quiet.

Big fan of the KMC 710-SL chain.

I ride 3/32" set up's and have had amazing luck with a standard SRAM PC-951 and I use the quick link.

I like the KMC 710SL.

With a good chainline and an EAI cog, it becomes totally silent.

I like silent.

the 10$ no name chain i got from my lbs. it works. a to b.

I put the ESH chain on my track bike this winter, after using the original KMC K-5A chain for 4 years. Although the KMC never stretched very much, it was always extremely noisy and seemed to create excessive drag, especially on a 13T cog. The ESH is much quieter and smoother. One thing I noticed when I removed the KMC chain was that the inner links lacked a connecting bushing, but instead the link plates were pressed inward at the pin holes to form a bushing around the pin. This seems like a very crude and cheap way to form the links and may account for the rough operation. I also like the fact that the ESH chain uses a bolted connection instead of a masterlink. My old school steel track bike (Paramount P14) has a Reynold chain than has lasted for eons and is very quiet.

I've never found a KMC track chain that wasn't pretty lousy. Their road chains seem okay -- I've generally found that road chains are a lot more forgiving, and did most of my track racing with them.

I mostly use KMC Z510HX (1/8") and Z610HX (3'32") chains. Both of these chains can be found for $10-12. These are more durable than the low-end Z410 chain, which is more widely available and made of lesser materials. I've tried lots of more expensive chains, up to and including the most expensive NJS chains, and found none of them to really be an improvement over the Z510HX or Z610HX chains. If longevity and strength are your main concerns, there really is no point in forking out more than $20 for a SS/FG chain.

I use to ride a bmx with a lawnmower chain, that was pretty tough...

I'll be getting a Regina Oro track chain for my next project.

I've had about three HKK Vertex chains now and they're hard to beat.

This is what im currently running.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3520/3217355784_b74cac2515.jpg

Wipperman 1g8! talk about overkill...

Yeah, but they look awesome and are insanely durable. I ran one for a really long time. Probably get another one eventually.

I actually like the noisy sound the Izumi chains make. They sound like "easy running" to me. Great chain.

Ive been using a Pintle halflink chain and am looking to get something new... the pintle seems to capture a lot of sand and stuff and get all grindy with it... I do like my half link otherwise but wasn't sure if it was overkill... I was thinking of trying the shadow conspiracy halflink next or some other track/ss specific chain, thus the thread... I certainly don't care too much about weight more just smoothness and longevity and strength wouldnt be bad either heh...

I use a KMC z510 and like it just fine, except it needs a bath. But I like the looks and pricepoint of the 710, will probably be my next chain, whenever that will be.

HKK chains are nice but I thought they were near impossible to get these days. The Izumi chains seemed to wear uneven quickly. So now it is nothing but KMC Kool Light chains. You can tell when it is getting time to replace it because it gets pretty loud.

I ride 3/32" set up's and have had amazing luck with a standard SRAM PC-951 and I use the quick link.

Good chain. And it only comes in that steel color; always a good thing. Since I normally have to shorten the chain, I don't use the quick link. I do have it on the roadie, though. No troubles after years and many thousands of miles.

I've been using the SRAM PC-1 for awhile now, it's quite good, I like it.
I saw a KMC chain at the LBS, I asked them what model it is and they had no clue.
It says 9K-2 on the plates...do you guys know what model they are?

I run some KMC 3/16 utility chain on my polo bike... I had a little extra after fitting a chain to a Worksman cargo trike.

This is a 1/8 cog in the rear.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/polobike3.JPG

I like the Wippermann 108 chain. Good quality at a decent price.

HKK chains are nice but I thought they were near impossible to get these days.

I believe they stopped distributing them in the US, so they sometimes sell for silly prices. An eBay search right now shows BIN prices from $35-55 for HKK Vertex chains in different colors. For comparison when I was in Japan last fall I picked up a new HKK Vertex for about ¥2,400 (IIRC) in Osaka.

I believe they stopped distributing them in the US, so they sometimes sell for silly prices. An eBay search right now shows BIN prices from $35-55 for HKK Vertex chains in different colors. For comparison when I was in Japan last fall I picked up a new HKK Vertex for about ¥2,400 (IIRC) in Osaka.

Around the same price in Tokyo. But that's for the blue ones, chrome plated (or gold-plated) versions go over 4000 yen. ... I think Wippermann 108 are cheaper and comes with chrome plating.

Ah, the price of bling...

I have the HKK Vertex.

I got it because it was cheap.

It was blue, so it matched my bike.

I pedal, bike goes. Job done.

Got it from Dept inbetween 渋谷 and 原宿 on 明治道り just up from Carnival.

True story.

SRAM PC-1. It's cheap and it works. Also I like its darker gunmetal colour.

Ive been using a Pintle halflink chain and am looking to get something new... the pintle seems to capture a lot of sand and stuff and get all grindy with it... I do like my half link otherwise but wasn't sure if it was overkill... I was thinking of trying the shadow conspiracy halflink next or some other track/ss specific chain, thus the thread... I certainly don't care too much about weight more just smoothness and longevity and strength wouldnt be bad either heh...
I used a shadow conspiracy V2 half link for a while and on a track bike, it's overkill. It's heavy as hell and I was always readjusting chain tension. There have been so many complaints to shadow conspiracy regarding their first version of the half link and chain stretch; they claim to have solved the issue with the V2, but I'm not really buying it. Unless you have to have a half link in order to get your rear wheel completely slammed in the dropouts, stick with a standard 1/8" track chain. IMHO, I think half links are out of place on fixed gears that aren't 700cmx.


SRAM PC-1. It's cheap and it works. Also I like its darker gunmetal colour. I also used the PC-1 for a while on my BMX's. This is a cheap chain that usually comes with stiff links; they get the job done, but I usually steer clear of the PC-1 and Z 1/8" chains.

I have the HKK Vertex.

I got it because it was cheap.

It was blue, so it matched my bike.

I pedal, bike goes. Job done.

Got it from Dept inbetween 渋谷 and 原宿 on 明治道り just up from Carnival.

True story.

Addendum : It's got NJS stamp. Prolly, cheapest NJS stuff. Yep, even CA-NJS cost over 4000 yen.

NJS does not immediately confer quality but rather, that a part meets a certain standard of equivalency.

As far as strength goes, a wider chain does not immediately become stronger because of it's added width as the forces on a single speed chain are not lateral... I find that as far as wear goes (or lack of it) that the KMC Kool chain is superior to most. SRAM chain runs out very smoothly but I have found that the KMC equivalents offer better service life.

Long wearing chains will extend your drive train life and uber light racing chains are not as ideal for day to day riding as more utilitarian chains... the KMC K chains are heavy but they run forever and look sweet. The finish on the plates is also very nice and it cleans up real nice.

Although the msrp is higher the K chain does sell for a discount just about everywhere and as I get my chains at cost know the shop markup on ss chains is ridiculous at about 250 %.

Find a 1/8 chain labelled for 3 speed use and you will get an immediate discount because the chain comes in a different package... label something BMX, SS, or NJS and you will pay an added premium.

I only noticed the stamp after I got it home and was fitting it.

I'm still weary of the bolt it uses to lock the chain, but I have been checking it once a week or so and it is fine. Gonna get a chain stretch measure soon to see how it is doing in that regard.

I only noticed the stamp after I got it home and was fitting it.

I'm still weary of the bolt it uses to lock the chain, but I have been checking it once a week or so and it is fine. Gonna get a chain stretch measure soon to see how it is doing in that regard.

I know what you mean. I punched that connection link out and used Izumi link which use clips. But then that bolt is really tight fitting, so you can use that "red" bolt lock on it and freeze that thing for eternity. ... Oh wait that's gonna make it hard to take off chains, huh?

I have never had any trouble with the Izumi screw. I was concerned about it too, but am now perfectly confident in it.

For 3/32" I've had great luck with SRAM Salt Shaker chains. They are coated for rust resistance (it's damn wet where I live), quiet, last a long time, have a quick link, and are dead cheap at between $10 - $12 at the LBS. They also make a 1/8" version, but I haven't tried it.

I have never had any trouble with the Izumi screw. I was concerned about it too, but am now perfectly confident in it.

Did yours include a square nut? Mine did, but it was not attached to the link and I lost it. I put the screw in without the nut, and it remained tight through several track sessions. Later on I discovered the nut on the floor, and installed it for good measure. I also installed an Izumi bolted half link to get the correct chain length.