Roypercy

Hey all:

I just picked up a rough-looking but mechanically sound Peugeot Iseran mixte for my wife. I'd like to replace the worn and rusted chain, a job I've never done, and I just need some help selecting a decent, inexpensive chain. What size would be correct for this bike? Besides a chain tool, is there anything else I'll need? I'm a relative newbie at doing this kind of maintenance, but I'm looking forward to becoming more self-sufficient.

Thanks!

Roy

zandoval 

Shimano 6/7/8 speed - Black is cheap - I like silver so I can see how dirty it is... $8.00 to $20.00....

But I have used many multi speed Walmart chains without problems...

dddd

+1 What Zandoval said.

Can you see what brand of freewheel is on that Peugeot?

How many links on the old chain? It's easier to count only the outer links, and multiply by 2.

The Walmart "Bell" multispeed chains turn out to be only 112 links in length, but the inexpensive, pre-1979 Peugeots may need a 114 link chain, depending on sprocket size.
The KMC SRAM chains are typically at least 114 lnks and most Shimano chains are 116 links.

The $10 KMC chains are now my favorite lowest-cost option.

eschlwc

the sram 830 is great. it comes with a link that allows removal without using a chain tool, but you'll need a tool to initially install it (usually). they're $13 on ebay or a couple bucks more at the local shop. and get a decent chain tool for your toolbox. i bought a cheapo tool a coupl years ago online and it broke on the first attempt. good ones cost $15 and last quite a while. actually, it seems like all my bike tools cost exactly $15. could be an equilibrium price for the diy cyclist.

wrk101

KMC 5/6/7 speed, Z33 or Z30, on line, less than $6. I've used a couple of hundred of them.

Be prepared to replace the freewheel. Often, the old freewheel will show its wear with a new chain, and skip.

Papa Ado

6 speed freewheel? Z33 is always a safe bet. If you want to upgrade a bit for about the same price, try the Z51. It has a raised outer bridge for better shifting.
https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=33&ssid=647

You'll need a chain tool as mentioned above to break the old chain and push the pin in on the new chain. You can also go with a more convenient, tool-free Missing Link:
Quick link for Z33: https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=34&ssid=572
Quick link for Z51:https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=34&ssid=572

ThermionicScott 

Boy, at $20 each, I think I've been overpaying for chains for my old bikes... these KMC's look like they'd do the trick for half the price.

wrk101

You are. KMCs are good chains. Jensen will price match, my last KMC Z50 cost me $5.60 each, delivered (price matched Niagara). As long as you buy $50 worth of stuff, Jensen has free shipping. With $10 UN26 BB, its pretty easy to get up to $50.

photogravity

Go with a Wippermann chain. European bike, European chain.

zukahn1 

I would say go with the KMC Z51 in the 116 length if not sure on length great for the price and easier to take apart with a chain tool to shorten or repair if needed.

illwafer

kmc4life

lostarchitect 

I usually buy KMC unless I want something special, so I'll add one more vote for that. I buy from Amazon, generally: https://www.amazon.com/KMC-Z51-Bicycl...4850172&sr=1-1

I have the smaller park chain tool which works well and hasn't failed me: https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-CT-5...4850133&sr=8-2

Amazon is a surprisingly good source for bike tools and parts. If you need a new freewheel the sunrace ones are cheap and solid. I'm not sure if your bike has french threads or not--if so that will complicate the freewheel. But if not, maybe this 6-speed one: https://www.amazon.com/Sunrace-Freewh...6&sr=1-3-spell, or if it's 5 speed maybe this one: https://www.amazon.com/Sunrace-Freewh...6&sr=1-1-spell

of course, if you need to remove it eventually you will need the right freewheel tool: https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-FR-1...4850347&sr=1-2

lostarchitect 

Also, Roy, I see you're in Brooklyn--so am I. If you need any help you can feel free to PM me. I have all these tools, so if you wanted to come by on a weekend I'd be happy to show you how to install it all.

Chombi

The French made Sedisport chain with their specially shaped inner link plates that helped for more positive shifting was the usual "default" for Peugeots through the 70's and 80's but many had later found just as good and better performance from more modern chains from SRAM and newer KMCs.
But it you are trying to do a full period appropriate C&V Peugeot build, Other collectors will approve heartily with a Sedisport. They come in black and nickle plated finish, but I beleive there were also special gold colored versions that they made in less quantity. Not the cheapest (at meaybe around 30 - 45 bucks at eBay) these days if you find them in NOS condition, but also not the most expensive, and they are sure to last many miles as I never heard of any real compalints about them through the years.

Chombi

dddd

My only reservation about KMC chain has to do with the readings I get on my dial caliper when measuring stretch wear.

Not that the numbers are high, but that if I chack the chain several times, giving the crank a spin each time, I get wildly different readings!

I've done such measurements thousands of times with all brands of chains, but KMC chains seem to have a lot of variation of pitch (spacing between rollers).

I buy lots of KMC chain, and use them on my own bikes occasionally, but might be concerned with the rate of wear on a valuable vintage freewheel.

Oh, and Thrifty Bill, thanks for the price-matching tip at Jenson's!Not that Niagara really sells them that cheap, since every item seems to carry that $4.50 shipping charge, with shippingcharges not negotiable in larger quantities or larger mixed orders.

wrk101

I use the same Jensen price match on Panaselas. They match the $14.99 sales price at Nashbar (they have been on sale for over a year), and I avoid the shipping charge. Also, I avoid sales tax (Nashbar charges sales tax in every state where they have a Performance bike shop, which they have in Charlotte).

While I used to buy 90% of my consumables at Niagara, its more like 50% or less anymore. And if you buy from Niagara through Amazon, look out. You really get tagged on shipping.

02Pilot

Yeah, Niagara shipping is way cheaper if you order direct through their (unbelievably slow) website in my experience.

Roypercy

Hey Lost, thanks very much for the offer. I might just take you up on it down the road, it'd be nice to meet a fellow C&V-er and add to my limited technical skills. Right now I have a KMC chain on order, as well as a few other tidbits. I picked up a used rear wheel on CL that had a new Suntour freewheel installed, so hopefully it'll work as a decent drop-in replacement with the new chain (I don't feel guilty, the rear wheel that was on the bike is not original; it's steel, not alloy, and looks to have come off a lower-end bike). The Peugeot looks like it might be a bit of an ongoing project...

What part of Brooklyn are you in, BTW? I'm in Windsor Terrace, between the cemetery and the park.

And thanks for all the advice, folks! This has been incredibly helpful.

lostarchitect 

I'm in Clinton Hill, just let me know if you need anything.

Roypercy

Cool, will do, and thanks again.