Hi,

Im a cheapskate who likes to replace my chains about every 2000 miles or so.

I used to buy LBS chains for $25.00 then discovered $12.00 chains online.

Now I notice that walmart sells chains for $7.00. I am sure they are not the best chains but I change them frequently to avoid unnecesary wear on my rings and cassette.

It said ( as i remember ) 1/2 by 3/32 for bikes with 10 to 24 speeds? Is that the basic chain that is on most bikes?

When I have ordered from nashbar before I always just got the 24 speed chain and it works great although I always need to shorten it a bit.

Please try to keep any anti walmart crud outta here please.

go with the 12.00 chains, they will be much higher quality, the chains from bell are made for geared bikes, not 7 speed, not 8 speed, not 9speed, but geared bikes. YEt when you get a real chain it is specific to the drivetrain, although a nine speed chain will work with eight and seven speed drivetrains.

Erm what. How are 7,8,9 speed not geared bikes? 6,7,8 speed uses the same chain.

9 speed and 10 speed drivetrains require their 9/10 speed chains respectively.

what i meant was that most chains are made for a specific number of gears, like 7 speed, or 8 speed,i they are nit just a general chain for any geared bike. I know that nine and ten speed need to be used with 9/10 speed chains, but you can use a nine speed chain with a 8 speed cassette if you have to.

i thought that 7/8 were the same i didn't realize that 6 was also

Specific 6-speed chains are obsolete. Currently 7/8-speed chains can be used on 8-speed and lower (5,6 and 7) drivetrains. 9 and 10-speed drivetrains require their specific chain but each can be used with fewer cogs if necessary.

I've used the Bell chain on about 15 bikes with 5, 6, 7 speed freewheels. They work great and the gold quick link is even easy to use. The only time I've had a problem was when I tried it on a Shimano 8 speed cassette. The chain was just a bit too wide and was making contact with adjoining cogs anytime the chainline was not perfectly straight. A Sram PC58 chain took care of that little problem.

If you're just looking for a 6,7,8 speed chain - the pc48 is $8 CAD shipped off PBK. Can't beat that. With masterlink even.

I ride Walmart chains and don't have a problem. I have an 8spd cassette. I don't even replace that regularly, about once a year, and i keep it clean and lubed. As far as mileage goes, I would say about 2500- 3500 miles a year.

The chain will work fine in most cases. However I have had problems with Walmart chains being too short to handle a 53 - 32 combo by a few links on large road bikes, and the link pins don't appear to be reusable so you need a master link to rejoin a chain if you need to break it for some reason later.

slightly off topic question: SRAM PC58, PC48, KMC Z51 (from my 21sp bike, links say narrow on the side plates). Does the 2 digit suffix (48, 51, 58) indicate length? May replace with something easy to remove. Work has simple green or regular solvent bathes I can use to soak chain and a teflon based product called Chain-Savr as well.

huh

I do not know what CAD or PBK are.

Thanks,

CAD=Canadian dollars (where the responder is from)
PBK=Pro Bike Kit (name of retailer)

Not length...but a 'quality' indicator. For the Sram: the PC68 is nicer (and costs more) than the PC58 which is just a bit nicer than the PC48. I'm not sure how the Z 51 rates as it's from a different company.

I've had very good luck with Sram PCxx chains for 7 and 8 speed set-ups. The masterlink (for full, quick removal) is a pretty nice feature.

thx

I don't want to be riding a cheap chain. It sucks to break a chain when under a heavy load.

Oh please. Do you really think you're strong enough to break a chain that hasn't been abused or installed improperly?

I bought a bell for my old 3 speed, but it was too short. It cost me around $6. I went to the LBS & bought a pyramid cheapo chain that cost $7 and was long enough.

Walmart sells those too, surprisingly enough,made by bell, add another dollar and that gets you two master links( also comes with two single speed links, I almost have enough of those to make a full single speed chain just out of master links, Do i hear any dares???)

Question about those master links. Are they OK to use with derailleurs? They look to protrude out a little bit more than standard chain links, and I was wondering if they would cause undue wear to gears or guides.

Difference is a good chain has been carefully inspected useing decent quality control measures. A cheap chain is more likely to fail without warning.

Additionally a cheap chain will take less abuse and lack of maint before failing.
I'd rather have the extra measure of security.

I've broken 2 chains while riding. In each case I was standing while mashing up a hill on a loaded commuting rig. I admit the chains were worn and stretched - and my 200lbs body weight didn't help any.

I now proactively replace chains before they get to that state.

Next time you get a chance, try to remove a chain without a chain breaker. Use the crappiest, oldest, cheapest one you can find Then tell me you're worried about it breaking while you're riding.

I have a friend who bought a new trek hybrid from a LBS. The chain broke at about mile number 10.

She took it back and they charged her for a new chain. claimed she was not shifting properly.

That's messed up.