8-speed chain on a 9-speed
#1
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8-speed chain on a 9-speed
So I converted my tour bike's 8 speed drivetrain to a 9 speed and kept my 8-speed Sram PC58 chain and the thing indexes and runs flawlessly. I thought you needed a narrower 9-speed chain. Must I use a 9-speed chain? Or am I playing with very tight tolerances here by using an 8-speed chain? Thanks.
#2
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I expect the clearances are tighter than they should be but if "the thing indexes and runs flawlessly", apparently it works adequately. You won't do any harm using the 8-speed chain and if the drivetrain runs quietly, use what you have.
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The only "tight tolerance" problem is that you might have to play with your indexing setup more often. Since the wider 8-speed chain sits really close to the tighter 9-speed cogs, it doesn't take too much for the chain to rub on the next closest cog.