chevy42083

I currently have a 1/8 cog, 1/8 chain, and an unknown (but thinner) chainring. Will I be better off buying a 1/8th chainring so it will match and wear as it's supposed to, or a 3/32 so I can swap to thinner drive-train if I ever decide to?

Just wondering it a 1/8 cog, and a 3/32 chainring will create odd wear on the chain.

roadfix

Doesn't matter....you can run 1/8" chain on single 3/32" cogs or rings. It will not create unusual wear.

wroomwroomoops

As roadfix said, it'll work fine. My experience is, however, that 1/8" chainrings last disproportionately longer than 3/32" - something like 3 or so times longer. I think it has to do with 3/32" chainrings' teeth usually having really very tiny tips, while 1/8" chainrings have teeth that don't taper down that much. My current 1/8" chainring has been the best value for money in bikeparts, so far in my life.

geo8rge

"I can swap to thinner drive-train if I ever decide to?"

I doubt you will, putting on a derailer system would be a pain. If you needed the extra gears you might build an extra wheel with an internally geared hub. Also even if you did put on a rear derailer you would could use just a single front chainring.

operator

No it won't. But in the interest of easily obtainable chains and silence, 3/32 > 1/8 anyday.

tuz

^^^ seconded
I had the OP setup for a year. Went to full 3/32 and it's quieter. Might be because its new though

geo8rge

BTW, 1/8 BMX chains come in cool colors.

tellyho

My 1/8 setup is very quiet.

dake13

My understanding is that you should use a 1/8 chain on a 1/8 cog, but the chainring size doesn't matter as much. I recently went from a 3/32 chain on one bike to a 1/8 on another, and I like it, it feels nice and stiff.