X-Mart chains- any experience (I'm gonna get flamed for this....)
10-12-06, 03:35 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,013
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
X-Mart chains- any experience (I'm gonna get flamed for this....)
Yeah, I'm a bottom feeder, and on a budget. All the LBS's want $12 at least for a chain. Its just a simple fixed gear commuter. Anything wrong with X-mart chains? $6 is hard to beat....
10-12-06, 03:43 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Michigan
Posts: 516
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Langster, 2005 Giant TCR C3, 2006 Bianchi Castro Valley, 2007 Redline Monocog 29er, 2007 Trek 5000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
X-mart chain on a SS, 800 miles since March. I'm not sure about fixed riding, though. Definitely keep it lubed or it'll rust in about 30 to 45 seconds.
10-12-06, 03:58 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,013
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ha, I just checked. My current chain, at 12 inches, is half a link longer than it should be. Yep, time for a new one....
10-12-06, 04:07 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Michigan
Posts: 516
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Langster, 2005 Giant TCR C3, 2006 Bianchi Castro Valley, 2007 Redline Monocog 29er, 2007 Trek 5000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, you're due!!
I'll be doing the same to a conversion I'm working on right now.
I'll be doing the same to a conversion I'm working on right now.
10-12-06, 04:23 PM
#8
Cornucopia of Awesomeness
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: not where i used to be
Posts: 4,847
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by rykoala
Ha, I just checked. My current chain, at 12 inches, is half a link longer than it should be. Yep, time for a new one....
10-12-06, 04:50 PM
#10
blacksheep the blemish
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Portland/Greendale
Posts: 1,063
Bikes: 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur (manufactured by panasonic), Italvega Super Speciale (fixed, primary ride now), Kona 2004 JTS 10 spd
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Why not spend the extra 4 dollars and get a sram 1/8" ss chain. It's not going to rust in 30-45 seconds and you don't have to buy it from the devil.
10-12-06, 04:57 PM
#11
It's an old photo
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Entropia
Posts: 774
Bikes: Cannondale R500, Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yeah, people like to replace the chainring, chain, and cog all at once if they're really old because components wear together. Also, for cheap chains you can't beat KMC (could even be what your X-Mart carries).. and if you're willing to wait, order them from danscomp.com $7 for a nice treated chain. But really, $12 isn't bad..
10-12-06, 05:16 PM
#12
Dismount Run Remount etc.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Some Latitude and Some Longitude
Posts: 2,235
Bikes: A couple customs and some beaters.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
$12 to support a sport you might actually stick with for more than a nanosecond. Oh wait, who's going to install it? Surely the mechanics at Wal-Mart will assist you...
10-12-06, 05:20 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Newcastle Australia
Posts: 1,185
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 12XU
$12 to support a sport you might actually stick with for more than a nanosecond. Oh wait, who's going to install it? Surely the mechanics at Wal-Mart will assist you...
10-12-06, 05:27 PM
#14
Dismount Run Remount etc.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Some Latitude and Some Longitude
Posts: 2,235
Bikes: A couple customs and some beaters.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mrkott3r
If you cant install a chain you should be taken out the back and shot.
I highly doubt the guy has a chain tool if he's quibbling over four bucks at a LBS.
10-12-06, 05:33 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New Orleans
Posts: 1,238
Bikes: bunch of junk
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by 12XU
So wait, you've managed to SAFELY install a chain without a chain tool? Do tell..
I highly doubt the guy has a chain tool if he's quibbling over four bucks at a LBS.
I highly doubt the guy has a chain tool if he's quibbling over four bucks at a LBS.
All my friend runs is Xmart chains, they work fine.
10-12-06, 05:52 PM
#16
or tarckeemoon, depending
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: the pesto of cities
Posts: 7,017
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by mrkott3r
If you cant install a chain you should be taken out the back and shot.
10-12-06, 05:54 PM
#17
one word, not two
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: se portland
Posts: 825
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you can get a z-chain for like $7. ask for a bmx chain at your lbs. i don't know if there is a 3/32 option, but you probably have 1/8 anyway.
10-12-06, 06:04 PM
#18
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 663
Bikes: Rossin Track Bike,Canondale Track, RB-1, Ridley Crossbow, Felt Breed, Felt Sector 24
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The shop I work at has the z chain in both sizes for $6.
10-12-06, 07:35 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: new bedford/boston
Posts: 487
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JoshFrank
The shop I work at has the z chain in both sizes for $6.
that's it - i'm movin' to georgia!
10-12-06, 08:58 PM
#21
There's time now
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: On a stack of books, PA
Posts: 768
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4096 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times
in
113 Posts
Not to hijak but which of these chain tools is best:
https://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm
I was thinking about getting the topeak droid and this thread inspired me (I have never changed a chain).
https://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm
I was thinking about getting the topeak droid and this thread inspired me (I have never changed a chain).
10-12-06, 10:10 PM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,013
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Boss Moniker
Yeah, people like to replace the chainring, chain, and cog all at once if they're really old because components wear together. Also, for cheap chains you can't beat KMC (could even be what your X-Mart carries).. and if you're willing to wait, order them from danscomp.com $7 for a nice treated chain. But really, $12 isn't bad..
10-12-06, 10:15 PM
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,013
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 12XU
So wait, you've managed to SAFELY install a chain without a chain tool? Do tell..
I highly doubt the guy has a chain tool if he's quibbling over four bucks at a LBS.
I highly doubt the guy has a chain tool if he's quibbling over four bucks at a LBS.
Like I've said, I'm just a cheapskate.
Back to your regular programming!
10-13-06, 06:24 AM
#25
jack of one or two trades
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Suburbia, CT
Posts: 5,640
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dude, just STEAL it from X-mart. That way you are fighting the man, and saving money. Plus, they don't give a crap about petty theft. If you get caught, just drop it and leave. You don't even need to run.