Originally Posted by
WebsterBikeMan
Given your interest in cheap, solid and durable. Go with 2). You should be able to go to your LBS, and combine two inexpensive chains to form the timing chain.
I did this, it worked great. I think I discovered the issues with why my timing chain died so fast: Our average speed jumped by 10%ish first ride with the new timing chain, and the chain is noticeably quieter than the old one. I'm guessing the old chain got some grit in it that I didn't realize and it just ate itself away while adding tons of friction to the drive line.
Live and learn. I didn't really notice any problems until I noticed that they were missing after the timing chain upgrade.