Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Half link chains + fixed

Do half link chains tend to stretch more than normal chains? Could possibly just be the chain I have. But I have already pulled the wheel back 3 times in less than 2 weeks.

I don't think I have ever had a chain stretch that much ever, let alone in a few days.

Chain is a shadow conspiracy half link. Have read it stretches more than normal. But checking if anyone here has ran one, and what was your experience. Interested to hear about other half link chains also. Just in general, wondering if they are not cut out for fixed gear riding.

Thanks.

I use that chain for my bmx bike but I haven't had any problems after a years worth of riding. I'm sure it has stretched but not significantly.

Half link chains are just dumb on a fixed gear.

Half link chains are just dumb.

Fixed that.

Fixed that.
That as well.

Give me more information. Why are they dumb?

I do see quite a few people running half link chains. Made it easier to get my wheel where i wanted it in the dropouts is all. Which is close enough forward with a 16T cog to be able to run a 15T cog off the same chain.

Have a few half links on the way so I can add one to a normal chain to make it the same. Since don't think this half link chain is going to hold up that long. Might just be going through an initial stretch period or something.

They wear out insanely fast,

Are you talking about a single half link? or a complete half link chain?

Made it easier to get my wheel where i wanted it in the dropouts is all. Which is close enough forward with a 16T cog to be able to run a 15T cog off the same chain.



How short are your dropouts?

From the bmx standpoint, half link chains were only introduced because some tricks involve the risk of bashing the chain and half links were beefier to withstand the damage. And they've even gone as far as boxing the links. Riding them for fixed gear where the chain undergoes tension and compression is not ideal for a chain with so many pivot points per full-link
http://www.thecycler.net/photos/dk_ext_half_link_chain.jpg

Yeah, totally makes sense why its stretching so fast then.

Thanks.

I run a Spank half-link right now and it hasn't stretched at all. It's a heavy ****er and its loud but I think its one of the strongest.

All that being said..not really necessary on a fixed gear unless u wna dew keo spinz

The Shadow Conspiracy chain stretches insanely fast. On my cruiser I pulled 4 links in 2 months before mine failed, I wore out a chainring and it felt horrible in freewheel. Someone mucht make a better one but after my experience I won't be trying another one

Gecko,

How did it fail?

In the future you should use this method -- not how many times you have to adjust your wheel -- to tell whether the chain is stretching:

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/ruler.jpg

What is that contraption???

Gecko,

How did it fail?

one of the links tore/cracked/broke at one of the plate bends, near as I could tell it one side failed and then the over stressed chain snapped. Admittedly I was riding a lot or trials at the time but still it wasn't a trust inspiring event.

In the future you should use this method -- not how many times you have to adjust your wheel -- to tell whether the chain is stretching:



It's much easier to just count wheel adjustments. No engineering devices and complicated math involved.

Personal experience, I ran a Spank Half-link for about 2 1/2 months riding brakeless. It was fully worn by the end of it. In it's defense, it was bulletproof, and getting the right length in the dropouts was simple, but replacing your chain every couple months, just for that wasn't worth it IMO. Running 710SL's and PC1's now and they've held up much better.

Personal experience, I ran a Spank Half-link for about 2 1/2 months riding brakeless. It was fully worn by the end of it. In it's defense, it was bulletproof

Any chain that craps out in 2 1/2 months is far from "bulletproof".

Give me more information. Why are they dumb?

They cost more than a standard chain and don't offer any advantage that a single half-link couldn't provide.

Thanks.

Yeah, total waste of cash this chain was.