legalize

I know, I'm a noob. I searched but I couldn't find a post on this, sadly. I have a 2000-something rockhopper comp fsr.

So far I know you need to know the # of teeth on your chainrings? I'm not sure what else though.

Thanks

rankin116

You need to know if you need an eight/nine/ten speed, based on your cassette. The chains have different widths. I don't know about the number of teeth, I think that is used to determine the lenght of the chain, which you can just match to your old one no problem.

Are you replacing the cassette as well?

Edit: Check here

legalize

I won't be replacing the cassette. So how do I know what width to choose? Is that dependent on the 8/9/10 speed thing?

BearSquirrel

Hehe, how do you know? Have you measured yet?

As far as width goes, you just tell them how many cogs you have. If you have an 8 speed cassette you get an 8 speed chain. I recommend SRAMs since they cost the same as Shimano and come with Powerlinks. KMCs are the cheapest.

The other things you need to know are:
a) How to use your chain tool
b) How to size the new chain.
c) How to push a new pin in or how to snap a masterlink together.

https://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=25

RIC0

Get a SRAM for sure.

If you put the new chain on and it appears to be skipping teeth on the cassette then you need a new cassett also.

legalize

Well I assume I don't have to replace anything but the chain as of yet. The LBS replaced the drivetrain, the bike skipped, i brought it back, it still skipped after, and now the new chain broke. So I'm getting a new chain, and will try and diagnose the problem on my own.

So when looking on the net for a chain..

I will get SRAM
I will look for a chain that fits my speed...

And that's it?

RIC0

Correct.

Now you can go with high end super expensive lighter chains but they wear out faster. When it comes to chains I get the cheapest SRAM chains, they might be heavier but they will last longer...

legalize

I'm going to throw a curveball. Thanks Rico by the way. And everyone, thanks.

The thing is, this is a new chain. It seems like only 1 link is messed up.

Do you think I can just replace the link? Or will we run into problems trying to match up links with my chain company (I forget what chain it is at the moment)

DirtPedalerB

just take out the link and rejoin the chain. if it's a shimano buy the special pin of not just go at it with a chain tool.

roccobike

Sounds like you might want to find a new LBS. That's not good performance on the part of your old LBS.

DirtPedalerB

I'd hate to ask how much a new drivetrain costs at a LBS. probably more than a around 2000 rockhopper is worth.

I try to stay out of the LBS as everthing in there seems to be overpriced.

legalize

Cost 174 for a new chain, new chainrings (large and medium) and a new casette

I've been to 3 LBS's in my life, 2 of them blow, one was decent, either way I'm NEVER going to one again, it's like going to a mechanic, no mattter what you are getting ripped off. Sick of it.

BearSquirrel

When the bike shop put your chain on, they likely sized it and threw the extra links in a box somewhere. You can ask them for those links as well as the extra pins that came with the chain which they likely kept.

Actually, since they installed the chain, you should just ask them to repair the chain for you. BTW, the joining pin has a distinctive appearance. You should be able to tell if the chain broke on a factory pin or a joining pin.

In any case, if you paid the bike shop that much ... they should repair this. It will take them all of 7 minutes.

DirtPedalerB

174 may not be that bad depending on the quality of the parts. You should wrench yourself, but in this case I'd be taking it back to them to fix. I wouldn't pay them any additional funds to fix it either, unless you knackered it yourself.