Roasted

How would you react? How does a full half link chain compare to a regular chain? I'm running a single speed with vertical dropouts and a Sette chain tensioner. I was just considering on throwing a half link chain on next time but I didn't know if this would be worthwhile or not. Thoughts?

JohnDThompson 

If you have a chain tensioner, why bother?

HillRider

Do you mean an entire chain made up of half-links or you want to use one half-link in a regular chain to get the right length?

Wordbiker

1/8" or 3/32" drivetrain?

Gusset makes one for both sizes and advertises, "Square riveted pins and heat treated SCM steel plates with breaking strength of 1300Kgf (Standard chain is approximately 850 Kgf)". Could be a very good choice for a singlespeed, although the weight is considerably more than a standard chain (360/474g vs. 250g on average).

Roasted

Yes, I have a chain tensioner, but I'd like to get as little slack in the chain as possible to have as much chain wrap as possible around the rear cog. Plus it's one of those things if I can get the rear cog to bite on another 1-2 teeth for a few bucks then it'd be worth it.

And yes, I'm talking about a half link chain... not just an individual half link. I always heard people say a half link is often times a weak point in a chain, but I heard some people say that half link full chains are pretty beefy. Figured I'd ask before I hit buy it now.

krems81 

A full half link chain won't do anything for you that a single 1/2 link won't do. It lets you adjust chain length by a single link, instead of two at a time. One half link in a regular chain will accomplish that.

I've converted a bike with vertical dropouts to single speed using a half link in a regular 1/8" chain, and no chain tensioner. In that case it worked perfectly, but on a bike with different length chainstays you may still need your tensioner.

woodway

If wrap is what you are looking for, get a rear chain tensioner and make the chain slightly longer.