danimal4lovin

What do you think is better for a fixed gear, 1/8" chains or 3/32", in terms of noise and function?

bonechilling

3/32" is lighter, cheaper and more readily available (although BMX chains are 1/8", and are pretty cheap and common). 1/8" is a relic from a by-gone era that still happens to be a standard for track racing.

Go with 3/32".

EivlEvo

Eh... I say neither.

If you have all 1/8" components then 1/8" is better. If you have all 3/32" components then 3/32" is better.

I mean... I suppose 1/8" is "stronger" but I'd be surprised if that many people were actually busting properly setup 3/32" chains.

bonechilling

Neither? So how do you pedal?

reedreeder

i have a 3/32 on my conversion, only because i bought a cog with hopes of using my old cranks, chainring, and chain. It turned out to not matter, since i ended up replacing everything anyway, but it works just fine.

operator

Noise wise, go 3/32. There's almost no reason to go 1/8 except for longevity of drivetrain. It also weighs more. If you have a track crank you might not even have a choice.

Boss Moniker

https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/300756-3-32-chainring-1-8-chain-1-8-cog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/281355-1-8-chain-3-32-cog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/283788-dumb-question-do-i-have-1-8-3-32-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/283923-1-8-vrs-3-32-chains-freewheels.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/293519-any-downside-using-3-32-cog-1-8-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/298948-running-3-32-ring-1-8-chain-cog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/318627-1-8-vs-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/321891-1-8-vs-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/349792-would-1-8-chain-less-noisy-than-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/353218-can-you-use-1-8-chain-3-32-rear-cog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/353222-better-fixie-1-8-3-32-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/366725-will-running-1-8-chain-cause-premature-wear-3-32-chainring.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/373877-cogs-work-work-3-32-1-8-chains.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/376423-1-8-3-32-again.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/376824-1-8-chain-3-32-chainring.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/388395-chris-king-cog-3-32-1-8-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=395222
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/212385-tech-tip-convert-3-32-chain-whip-fit-1-8-3-32-cogs.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/32411-1-8-3-32-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/54556-3-32-chain-breaker-1-8-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/107664-2005-bianchi-pista-1-8-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/122111-1-8-cog-3-32-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/123765-1-8-vs-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/125728-3-32-cog-1-8-chain.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/140030-1-8-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/152953-1-8-vs-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/156807-1-8-chain-3-32-cog-chainring.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/186501-mixing-1-8-3-32-bad.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/202148-1-8-3-32-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/212059-different-chain-whip-3-32-vs-1-8-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bmx/216641-1-8-chain-3-32-parts.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycling-velodrome-racing-training-area/220927-mixing-3-32-1-8-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/222824-3-32-cog-1-8-chain-ok-use.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/231503-stock-iro-crankset-chainring-3-32-1-8-a.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/240013-1-8-3-32-what-do-yall-use.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/248662-1-8-chain-3-32-chain-wheel-cog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/255363-running-1-8-chain-3-32-chainring.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/270289-1-8-chain-3-32-chainring.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/271957-will-3-32-wide-chainring-work-1-8-wide-chain-cog.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/273546-3-32-chain-cog-1-8-c-ring.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/356438-chain-width-question.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/240832-chain-width-question.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/181720-what-s-chain-width-fuji-track.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/56588-chain-width.html

reptar douglass

has anyone ever heard of either size chain breaking or failing on a fixed?

Re-Cycle

Haaaaaahahah Boss

roadfix

I run 1/8 chain only because I'm always running a mix of 3/32 & 1/8 cogs and rings on different bikes.

bonechilling

Chains break or fail all the time, but it being fixed or not is irrelevant.

mihlbach

Can anyone tell me what bb for my sugino 75 cranks?

EivlEvo

HAHAHAHA! I meant neither is better.

reptar douglass

it serves relevant when braking is involved.
i guess to be more specific i'm just curious if anyone has rode fixed, had a chain break on them, and now swears by hand brakes.

EivlEvo

I haven't... but Im trying REALLY hard to get that to happen.

operator

Way to miss the point. He means that whether or not a chain is being used in a geared application or a no-gear application has no bearing on chain failure. As usual chain failure is caused by several things.

1) installation error
2) extreme wear
3) external damage
4) manufacturing defect

1 and 2 is by far the most comomn.

If you suck at wrenching or really don't want to take the chance then run a brake, or be 100% vigilant everywhere, all the time.

balonya

I had a 3 week old chain break (dont remember brand or size) going down a long steep hill in traffic! I was efing shocked, I chalk it up to number 4 ^. I run a break so there was no panic.

shasta

I use 1/8 because 1/8 single speed chains can be had at any bike shop for 10 bucks. Also, I can use either the 1/8 or 3/32 cogs and chain rings that I have been accumulating. I'm not sure if you can use a 3/32 chain with a 1/8 cog.

bonechilling

You can't. It's smart to buy 3/32" components, because they're cheap and common, and run them with a 1/8" BMX chains, for the same reason. Also, 3/32" components with a 1/8" chain allows you a little more wiggle room if you have an imperfect chainline.

fanta510

1/8 chain, whatever ring/cog.

operator

3/32 chains can also be had at any bike shop for $10.

shasta

Its sort of a pain in the ass to get a 3/32 single speed chain and I have never liked the idea that the 8 speed chains are designed to derail.

operator

Whoa way to be misinformed. A 3/32 single speed chain is functionally no different than ones labelled for 7, 8, 9 or 10 speed. Road chains that are designed to be shifted only differ in that they have greater strength when they are flexed sideways due to shifting loads - this makes it stronger not weaker. And it does not mean that they "derail" more because of this, which is what I think your concern is.

There's no reason to go and specifically look for a "single-speed" specific chain when 7/8 speed "road" chains do the same job but better and are widely available.

bonechilling

Not in my experience. They're usually like $20+, compared to $7-$10 for a KMC BMX chain.

operator

Time to frequent better, well stocked shops.