General Cycling Discussion - Clueless as to what chain to buy.

So I just bought a used road bike http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1999&Brand=Klein&Model=Quantum%20Race&Type=bike#.UHcf5MXA9TI and I am loving it. I took it to the shop to get it looked over and was told my chain is stretched and as a result the cogs are worn down and probably only have a month left. They want 85 bucks to put their chain and cogs on my bike and have no variety to choose from. Just a drawer of stuff I don't really know anything about. So I tried to look online for a replacement of the original chain my bike came with (Shimano CN-HG92, 1/2 x 3/32") but I guess they no longer make this.

So now I come to you fine folks. Can I get some recommendations on some long lasting smooth shifting chains and some quality cogs? Also, any recommendations in general I should throw on my new bike is appreciated (not sure I like my current drop bars they seem too narrow for me and I definitely need some new hood covers for my brake/shift levers).

Thanks all in advance!

Any Shimano or SRAM 9-speed road cassette will work fine. For chains, any 9-speed Shimano, SRAM, KMC or Wippermann would also work fine.

Any Shimano or SRAM 9-speed road cassette will work fine. For chains, any 9-speed Shimano, SRAM, KMC or Wippermann would also work fine.

^^^This.

That's a 9 speed chain. Shimano, Wipperman and KMC make them. Not to start a "what chain is better" thread my advice is to buy a KMC X9 chain. Tree Fort has it for $15. http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222345239/92/KMC-X9-66mm-Silver-and.html and so does Universal http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=35647&category=60.

They have replacements your cassette or cogs too probably. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6706&category=41

That's just what a quick Google search turned up. Maybe you can find another retailer for the product.

If you are going to do the job yourself you will need some tools to break the extra links off. Most of the KMC chains come with a nice easy to remove link so after you get the chain the proper length you won't need it until you need another new chain.

If you have worn cogs and you put new chain on them the chain will jump under load. This is very disconcerting to the rider I know from personal experience.

If you are going to service the cassette you will need the cassette lock ring remover and a chainwhip to hold the casstte while you remove the lock.

$85 isn't highway robbery for this. You could spend well over that buying the parts and tooling up. Of course after you have tooled up it will be a lot cheaper next time.

That's a 9 speed chain. Shimano, Wipperman and KMC make them. Not to start a "what chain is better" thread my advice is to buy a KMC X9 chain. Tree Fort has it for $15. http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222345239/92/KMC-X9-66mm-Silver-and.html and so does Universal http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=35647&category=60.

They have replacements your cassette or cogs too probably. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6706&category=41

That's just what a quick Google search turned up. Maybe you can find another retailer for the product.

If you are going to do the job yourself you will need some tools to break the extra links off. Most of the KMC chains come with a nice easy to remove link so after you get the chain the proper length you won't need it until you need another new chain.

If you have worn cogs and you put new chain on them the chain will jump under load. This is very disconcerting to the rider I know from personal experience.

If you are going to service the cassette you will need the cassette lock ring remover and a chainwhip to hold the casstte while you remove the lock.

$85 isn't highway robbery for this. You could spend well over that buying the parts and tooling up. Of course after you have tooled up it will be a lot cheaper next time.

Awesome. Thanks for the links I will be grabbing that chain. One last question is what sort of hood covers should I be looking for to replace the used grimy ones mine came with? I am trying to google search it but there are so many model numbers and specifics it is throwing me off. I would definitely like something with some color to it as well :]

That's a 9 speed chain. Shimano, Wipperman and KMC make them. Not to start a "what chain is better" thread my advice is to buy a KMC X9 chain. Tree Fort has it for $15. http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222345239/92/KMC-X9-66mm-Silver-and.html and so does Universal http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=35647&category=60.

They have replacements your cassette or cogs too probably. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6706&category=41

That's just what a quick Google search turned up. Maybe you can find another retailer for the product.

If you are going to do the job yourself you will need some tools to break the extra links off. Most of the KMC chains come with a nice easy to remove link so after you get the chain the proper length you won't need it until you need another new chain.

If you have worn cogs and you put new chain on them the chain will jump under load. This is very disconcerting to the rider I know from personal experience.

If you are going to service the cassette you will need the cassette lock ring remover and a chainwhip to hold the casstte while you remove the lock.

$85 isn't highway robbery for this. You could spend well over that buying the parts and tooling up. Of course after you have tooled up it will be a lot cheaper next time.

^^^^ What he said.

Also, has anybody else told you yet that's a really nice bike? Check the seat tube sticker to see if it's a Chehalis, Wa. built bike. That greatly adds to the panache.

everything you need to know and were afraid to ask.

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Awesome. Thanks for the links I will be grabbing that chain. One last question is what sort of hood covers should I be looking for to replace the used grimy ones mine came with? I am trying to google search it but there are so many model numbers and specifics it is throwing me off. I would definitely like something with some color to it as well :]

I searched Universal for "hoods" and came up a range. Not knowing Shimano all that well I'm not sure if you need the one-button or two or if it makes a difference.

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=31548

For color there's a company called Huudz (I think). I know they are available. Google will help.

Not knowing Shimano all that well I'm not sure if you need the one-button or two or if it makes a difference.

One button or two only matters if you are using a Flight Deck bike computer in which case they have to match your computer wire harness. Interestingly, the 'brifters themselves are the same whether they have two buttons on the right or one button on each.

Get one of these

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/ProductDisplay?storeId=10053&langId=-1&catalogId=10052&productId=537023&utm_source=Google_Product_Search&utm_medium=pla&utm_campaign=datafeed&cm_mmc=Google_Product_Search-_-PLA-_-Datafeed-_-Park%20Tool%20CC-3.2%20Chain%20Wear%20Indicator&CAWELAID=1120058105&catargetid=1572651282&cagpspn=pla

Since the bike is used, for the first fo around I would replace both chain and cassette. The pair should not cost more than $60-$80.



And you can measure it yourself.

Sorry to hijack, but I have similar question which I don't think is worthy of it's own thread.
I also need a chain. I put a compact crank set from a 10 speed bike on a bike with 9 speed 105 components. Do I get a 9 speed chain or a 10 speed chain? I guess the main difference would be the 10 speed if a little narrower so might have less clearance issues?

Sorry to hijack, but I have similar question which I don't think is worthy of it's own thread.
I also need a chain. I put a compact crank set from a 10 speed bike on a bike with 9 speed 105 components. Do I get a 9 speed chain or a 10 speed chain? I guess the main difference would be the 10 speed if a little narrower so might have less clearance issues?

I don't know for sure.

I was shopping for a crankset around a year ago. Many of the 10-speed cranksets that I looked at had a warning to use only 10-speed chains. I don't know if the difference is chainring thickness or spacing or what. Ultimately the crankset that I bought wasn't designed for 10-speed so I don't know if a 9-speed chain will work adequately or not.

If I had a 9-speed chain lying around, I'd give it a try and see if I could make it work. If I were buying a new chain, I dthink that I'd get the 10-speed chain that I know will work. The rear derailleur guides the chain by the center so I doubt the slightly narrower 10-speed chain will cause a problem.