Classic & Vintage - New Chain Selection!

I've got a Bianchi that needs a new chain, 7 speed, with Biopace. It still had the original chain from when it was made I believe, and I noticed some rust. I measured it at 55.5 inches. It seems difficult to find the best chain out there for a 7-speed. Any recommendations?

I would highly suggest an 8 speed sram chain.

I would highly suggest an 8 speed sram chain.

+1. Any 7/8s chain will work.

I would highly suggest an 8 speed sram chain.

+100 I highly recommend SRAM chains.

I've got SRAM 870's on my 6, 7 and 8 speeds for the past year. They've held up nicely!

Everybody loves SRAM, but if you want something period correct on a very special 80's(?) Italian bike (This is C&V forum afterall), a Regina Oro Record with the drilled plates would look great. may not shift as quickly and positively as SRAMs....but will look fantastic!

Chombi

I happened to make a mistake. It is a 6 speed, and I had gotten a new KMC Z chain from the local bike shop, however it was 1 link too big, or 1 link too small, and did not come with the special connecter link. Because the bike has Biopace, is it positive that the 8 speed Sram will work?

Yes, it will work. It is normal to have to remove link(s) when installing a new chain. IIRC, most come with 114 links, which is enough to do fairly large freewheel/chainring combos. Bikes with less gearing (smaller freewheel large cog, chainrings, etc.) will need links removed. If I am certain that my original chain is the correct length, I usually just match the new chain up to it (lay them side by side) and remove links. You will need a chain tool BTW.

6 x 3 speed, Biopace rings, SRAM PC-830 chain. Works flawlessly. Get the SRAM. :)

BTW - I had to get a second chain and add I think 4 links to make the monster below work :)

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/tsv/ag1.jpg

all chains come about the same lenght and need to 'cut' to fit your bike, so the length of your present chain is not an issue. also if your bike has lots of miles you may need to replace the cassette or freewheel too.

I have been using a KMC 8spd chain and it seems to work pretty well

the problem is that with the new chain I have, it does not have the power-link, and so therefore it would be too long or short. I believe if I have a chain with powerlink, I could match up the length exact. Without weakening the strength.

6 x 3 speed, Biopace rings, SRAM PC-830 chain. Works flawlessly. Get the SRAM. :)

BTW - I had to get a second chain and add I think 4 links to make the monster below work :)

http://home.comcast.net/~khatfull/images/tsv/ag1.jpg

Khatfull, where in Minnesota do you need gearing like that?;)

The answer is obvious buy a power link. Roger

the problem is that with the new chain I have, it does not have the power-link, and so therefore it would be too long or short. I believe if I have a chain with powerlink, I could match up the length exact. Without weakening the strength.

If it's too long, you break the chain using a chain breaking tool. Remove the necessary number of links and proceed. The posters above have all said this.

Khatfull, where in Minnesota do you need gearing like that?;)

Really don't, it was just an exercise in "can I?" or "just for the heck of it" and, wth, I decided to leave it :)

what about Shimano chains? the local bike shop has one in stock with a power-link.

+100 I highly recommend SRAM chains.

+101 This is what you want. SRAM PC830 at Amazon.com for $10.63, free shipping with Amazon Prime or if you buy three (to get to $25 total).

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-P-Link-Bicycle-Chain-8-Speed/dp/B00161FWJG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317131883&sr=8-1

The KMC chain you have (without powerlink) will work... you still need a chain tool (and will need one regardless of whether or not the new chain has a powerlink.) You will most likely need to shorten any chain you buy.

Wippermann 8sX. Stainless steel so it won't rust. Nice chains.

Wippermann 8sX. Stainless steel so it won't rust. Nice chains.

Where do we find these? Got a link? :) All I can find is in the UK.

Wippermann 8sX. Stainless steel so it won't rust. Nice chains.

Among others, Amazon has Wippermann's. A little expensive for my blood. And I suspect money wasted. A lubricated chain is not likely to rust.

Where do we find these? Got a link? :) All I can find is in the UK.

I purchased it from a seller on ePay a while back. I've also used their 1z1 and 108 1/8" chain. I really like the Wippermann chain, and have used KMC also which seems like pretty good chain. I can't access ePay from work so I can't look right now, but I'll try to dig it up when I get home.

EDIT: I dug around through my eBay purchases but I can't find the link for where I bought the 8sX, it was that far back... Sorry I don't have a better answer.

+101 This is what you want. SRAM PC830 at Amazon.com for $10.63, free shipping with Amazon Prime or if you buy three (to get to $25 total).

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-P-Link-Bicycle-Chain-8-Speed/dp/B00161FWJG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317131883&sr=8-1

+ whatever number we're up to.

Does anyone use shimano chains anymore? I sure don't. They only want you to buy those stupid "Dura Ace" links. SRAM ftw.

Does anyone use shimano chains anymore? I sure don't. They only want you to buy those stupid "Dura Ace" links. SRAM ftw.+1 +1
I had two 9-sp Shimano's snap on me last year. The "extra pin" is a nice idea, but I have a Power Link on every one of my chains.

Really don't, it was just an exercise in "can I?" or "just for the heck of it" and, wth, I decided to leave it :)

I understand that type of experimentation. For me, that's part of the fun.

I understand that type of experimentation. For me, that's part of the fun.

Me too. Every time I ride it I have to shift to the 28/38 just for fun, doesn't matter if there's a hill anywhere, it's just fun pedaling like a madman at at 3mph :)

Me too. Every time I ride it I have to shift to the 28/38 just for fun, doesn't matter if there's a hill anywhere, it's just fun pedaling like a madman at at 3mph :)

Tough to keep from falling over at that speed.:thumb:

The experimentation is one of the reasons I have so much fun coming up with different C&V SS combinations. My next, I think, is to turn my extra Trek 660 into a tri style SS.

all chains come about the same lenght and need to 'cut' to fit your bike, so the length of your present chain is not an issue. also if your bike has lots of miles you may need to replace the cassette or freewheel too.

I have been using a KMC 8spd chain and it seems to work pretty well

Have been using KMC 8 speed chain on all my 6-8 speed drives for quite some time... it is great chain even when you don't get it at cost.

Besides my own bikes it has also gone on to a great number of customers bikes at all the shops I am at and have had 0 complaints.

Does anyone use shimano chains anymore? I sure don't. They only want you to buy those stupid "Dura Ace" links. SRAM ftw.

Have not bought or stocked a Shimano chain in a very long time... if I want a premium quality chain I will use SRAM or KMC.

So does anyone here use Wippermann chain? It looks like we have a lot of SRAM fanbois, but nobody seems to be using Wippermann.

Well I found a KMC Z chain with the special links at the local shop. Works great, and now my shifting is much more precise, even though many other problems arose..like a clinging noise after every minimal bump I hit, (which I have had for a while), and just one jockey wheel seems very very loose. Found almost a 1/4" of stretch in my old Japanese chain.