Hi everyone,
I'm new here but I'm hoping for some help. On my hybrid bike I currently have a 7 speed cassette (Shimano Hyperglide something or other) and the chain is 118 links. Starting to skip and I tried tightening the little back screw for more tension but no luck, so I'm going to get a new chain. The chain checker falls in easily at 0.75 but not yet at 1, so I think that still means the chains is getting worn out, right? I'll put off a new cassette for now and see if the chain is enough. Good idea?

My main question is this:
I see on the Internet that 7 speed chains are often 114 to 116 links and most chains I see on Amazon are 116 links for a 6/7/8 speed. I only found one that has 118 links. I see a lot of 11 speed chains have 118 links so I don't know which is more important, the speed rating or the actual number of links? Would replacing my 118 link chain with a 116 work? Or should I buy the only 118 link chain I can find that is 7 speed rated?