I need to buy a new chain
04-05-14, 07:03 PM
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I need to buy a new chain
I want to buy a chain on ebay but there are so many to choose from and I'm afraid I will buy the wrong thing. I have an 18 speed schwinn and the tire is 26 inch. What chain do I buy?
04-05-14, 07:08 PM
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18 speed? Does that mean 2 in the front and 9 in the rear or 3 in front and 6 in the rear?
04-05-14, 07:20 PM
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Now-a-days, we usually refer to the number of speeds based on the number of cogs on the rear wheel. Current bikes are anywhere from 8 - 11, while back in the old days there were only 5 on the back. The more cogs in back, the tighter the spacing between the cogs. So you need a chain to match that spacing. 9 cogs, you need a 9 speed chain. 10 cogs, a 10 speed chain. If you have 6 or 7, I think the chains are interchangeable (not sure). Count how many cogs you have.
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04-05-14, 07:24 PM
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Shimano, SRAM, or KMC chains are probably the most common. Personally I prefer the SRAM and KMC mainly because they come with special links.
Something like KMC 8x93, SRAM 830, or Shimano HG40 or HG50 will work
Before you start this project though - you need to get a chain tool so you can remove the excess links.
Last edited by jsdavis; 04-05-14 at 08:01 PM.
04-05-14, 07:45 PM
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As others said, count the number of sprockets in the back and buy a chain for that many speeds.
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04-06-14, 06:49 AM
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I'd strongly suggest that you get a chain which has a "quick link" for joining; KMC, SRAM and Wippermann offer them. The Shimano "special joining pin" concept is flawed, IMO. Pick up a couple of spare links for repairs and the like. You will still need a chain tool to cut the new chain to length.
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