Chains
#26
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I needed a new chain for my Dolan at Velo Sports Center and I asked the "world famous" Johnny W and Chas for a track bike shop. They sent me to Manhattan Beach and told me to drop their names and the guys would take care of me. I came out with Izumi Model 'V' gold track racing chain (NJS) (blessed by some Japanese Keirin racer / priest) paying list price for the chain but they did install it N/C. So add to the list of variables in chain selection the requirement of a referral.
In SoCal, you are what you drive AND what track chain you rock.
In SoCal, you are what you drive AND what track chain you rock.
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the other big weak point is a chain connected via a rivet. often alignment is off just enough to stress the side plate when resetting the pin.
all in all, chains don't fail often. most efficient way to transfer power. iirc they're about 95% efficient in transferring power.
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I've been running the Izumi V and have no complaints. It's super stiff and, as Carleton said, has the added bling. I do like the screw-pin master link as well. A bit pricey but I'd buy it again. I was surprised it is louder but you've just gotta run it loud and proud!
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I use a KMC S10 chain and love it. It's stainless steel, strong, super smooth, and super quiet. It's 1/8" and would highly recommend it to anyone out there. It's about.. 25 bucks.
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I'll need to check which KMC i'm running at the moment, but it is a KMC. As with WhatsYoCadence, i find it really quiet. I've had spectators comment on how quiet my bike is relative to others.
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Late to this but I've been running the KMC D101 gold for several years. Huge step up in design and build quality from their other 1/8" chains. Only problem I've had is finding extra master links. Like the Izumi it runs noisy unless you wax/teflon it. Like the Izumi it's very stiff.
Last edited by Racer Ex; 11-19-14 at 11:54 AM.
#32
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Late to this but I've been running the KMC D101 gold for several years. Huge step up in design and build quality from their other 1/8" chains. Only problem I've had is finding extra master links. Like the Izumi it runs noisy unless you wax/teflon it. Like the Izumi it's very stiff.
I'm a big fan of the Devil 101 but haven't been able to find them lately
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#34
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The D101 has been discontinued, I think. I stocked up when I saw them on closeout. I had seen something about an X101 coming out as an improved version, but I don't know what the deal is with that.
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X101 Silver » KMC Chain
#39
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If you poke around you can find a synopsis of the friction facts testing, but the dumonde didn't do that well. Pretty much anything with teflon does the same, which is faster than other drip type lubes by a tad. The differences are pretty small though, so I wouldn't worry about it much unless you're already at a pretty high level...in which case it's probably worth investing the money at friction facts.
#40
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If you poke around you can find a synopsis of the friction facts testing, but the dumonde didn't do that well. Pretty much anything with teflon does the same, which is faster than other drip type lubes by a tad. The differences are pretty small though, so I wouldn't worry about it much unless you're already at a pretty high level...in which case it's probably worth investing the money at friction facts.
#41
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Any thoughts on Wipperman track chains? I've got a solid local recommendation, but then I saw that their master link is like an 1/8" version of the road master links, and it looks a little fragile to me. Anyone tried them?
#42
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If you poke around you can find a synopsis of the friction facts testing, but the dumonde didn't do that well. Pretty much anything with teflon does the same, which is faster than other drip type lubes by a tad. The differences are pretty small though, so I wouldn't worry about it much unless you're already at a pretty high level...in which case it's probably worth investing the money at friction facts.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#43
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#45
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Hmm. Ok, thanks guys, guess I'll pass. Only thinking of changing cuz I've grown tired of the NJS screw and nut system. It's fiddley and after I while that link has a tendency to stick a little.
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Off the top of my head, 2-3 watts more lost then something with teflon in it, probably about the same as the dumonde stuff. Memory may be faulty though. If you're more than casually interested fifteen minutes of googling will probably tell you more than you ever wanted to know.
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I switched to a KMC(710sl?) with that Master i linked to above and ill never go back to the screw link...
#48
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Well, I like the Izumi V pretty well. A heavier lube like Phil Wood or motor oil keeps it quiet and stays reasonably clean, at least at the velodrome.
I still think the old Regina CX 1/8" chains were the best ever made, but I'm old and out of touch.
A couple of decades ago 3/32" was pretty standard for points and pursuit racing. I never had any trouble at all with them (and used $1 per foot Sedis chain that came off a big roll) and they were quieter and smoother than any 1/8" chain I ever used. Never had to borrow a chainring or cog...
And the word "multi" is misspelled in the "Qualities you don't want from a chain:" paragraph. Not that I expect any better from track racers.
I still think the old Regina CX 1/8" chains were the best ever made, but I'm old and out of touch.
A couple of decades ago 3/32" was pretty standard for points and pursuit racing. I never had any trouble at all with them (and used $1 per foot Sedis chain that came off a big roll) and they were quieter and smoother than any 1/8" chain I ever used. Never had to borrow a chainring or cog...
And the word "multi" is misspelled in the "Qualities you don't want from a chain:" paragraph. Not that I expect any better from track racers.
#49
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Just ordered a pair of KMC K710SL's. I hope the Japanese will forgive me.
#50
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- The master link is your friend. Learn how to use it.
- Most (if not all) modern chains are NOT designed to have pins removed and re-added. USE THE MASTER LINK. Old-school chains were designed for this. Every chain failure that I know of personally was with a chain that had a pin removed and reinstalled. If you cut your chain too short, don't re-add the links.
- Most (if not all) modern chains are NOT designed to have pins removed and re-added. USE THE MASTER LINK. Old-school chains were designed for this. Every chain failure that I know of personally was with a chain that had a pin removed and reinstalled. If you cut your chain too short, don't re-add the links.
I also would be concerned about the braking force (not breaking force) working against some tension-based Master Links. Although the bolt-style Master Link design of the Izumi V Supertoughness, can't fail in a negative tension situation, I can't imagine myself trusting that little nut holding tight while I'm sprinting on a track. As a result, my Izumi V is hard pinned.