Second chain on a trike
 

I just bought a delta trike. I noticed that it has a second chain. There is one long chain going from the crankset to the cogs. Then there is a second, very short, direct drive chain going from the cogs to the rear axle. It looks like the links are a bit larger than the main chain. What is that chain called?

The name of this second drive chain (not a wrong reference) is not the real issue. The dimensional specs of it are. It is most likely a common 1/2" pitch by 1/8" wide one, often found of older coaster brake and 3 speed bikes. But just short in link count. Chains which fit gear systems with multiple cogs are usually thinner, 3/32" width is a common spec.


But know that trikes have been made by both bike companies and industrial ones. So components can reflect their biases and suppliers. One measurement is worth a thousand assumptions. Andy

If it's a similar setup to Missy Giove's old multi-chain multi ring DH Cannondale, it's called a jack shaft chain.

Agreed that jack shaft chain is a good reference too. But many in our field (bikes) don't recognize industrial/motorcycle terms. "Mid Drive" is another term used by trike and recumbent people. Andy