chains
 

I have heard that some types of chains wear very quickly and there any many brands of chains all with different lines. Could someone recommend a chain?

I have a 6 speed cassette.

IMO, use the cheapest chain that you can find ... provided it's compatible with your drivetrain.

For a six-speed, you may be looking at a seven-speed chain -- slightly narrower, but okay (if you size it right for length).

I've had good luck with all kinds of chains, and pretty much use SRAM right now. No particular reason.

Something like this should be in your consideration set....

There are chains for a 6-speed. And they are known as 5, 6, 7, 8-speed chains. For 9-speed you need a different chain. Same for a 10-speed and 11-speed, with each needing a special chain. So any chain that says 8-speed will also fit a 6-speed. Confusing? Yep!

I'd recommend a SRAM (5, 6, 7) 8-speed chain. SRAM makes very good chains that come with a detachable-link. These make it easy to remove the chain for cleaning, removig the front-derailleur (FD), etc. Your local bike-shop will have them.

Happy Trails!

what about KMC brand chains?
I only ask because on the MEC website all the KMC chains had good reviews and SRAM (in the same price bracket) had worse reviews.

To each their own, but I've never had problems with SRAM. KMC chains are quite good usually. I haven't heard anyone truly hating them. People are going to leap through the screen, but: Avoid Shimano when possible.

KMC is good. SRAM is okay but I'm not a huge fan.

No reason to avoid Shimano, Panther probably hates the single-use pin system, but the chains themselves are excellent if pricey.

+1
My friends never seem to get as many miles out of a SRAM chain.

+1 for SRAM chains

I like SRAM's nickel plated chains (they seem to wear well and resist rusting) and love the powerlink joining system. It makes removal e.g. for cleaning so easy. You can buy the link separately.

I have used a couple of KMC chains - one was a cheap type that came with a new 8 speed road bike. It lasted 6000 miles, as did the cassette, so I got about 2x the money's worth out of them. A 9 speed KMC chain I had seemed rather susceptible to rust though I had not treated it particularly well - I was devoid of indoor, dry bike storage at the time.

Ed

While I have Shimano components here and there on my bikes, I won't use their chains. My love-hate relationship with Shimano goes back to 1980. Don't go there! :deadhorse:

I know. I know. Please do not send a box of dead-horse flies. (Dead horse-flies are okay.)


Btw, WHAT did you do to that poor cat?

What cat? That's no cat - that's me!

Oh dear!

This is turning into another one of those threads like "What chain lube?" or "What brand of tires?" that, I think, more properly belong in the religion and politics forum. If anybody has a reasonably reliable way of measuring and compareing chain quality I'd be willing to listen. All of this "I like KMC but not SRAM" or whatever", with no supporting evidence, makes my head spin.

:D

A bit of data. Tough to conclude anything, but -- directionally -- it's interesting:

http://www.velimpex.com/uploads/imag...ts.Aug2007.png

Annnnnd....

http://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-004/T...yWipperman.png

A good quote from the same source....

While we're throwing data on the fire, know that an SRAM 8-speed quick link does not fit Shimano 8-speed chains. (KMC and Wipperman does.)

Oh there's supporting evidence, but it's anecdotal. This isn't the "Bicycle Science and Engineering" forum.

For instance, I've had SRAM quick links come apart on me twice - never Wipperman or KMC. But is that enough data to draw a scientific conclusion? Of course not. Is it enough to change my attitude toward SRAM quick links? Damn right it is!

Likewise my impression that SRAM chains do not seem to be of the same quality and longevity as Shimano chains. (Though factoring in price, one can certainly argue that the value is there.)


Lacking hard data and the expertise to use it, this is all the answer anyone here can give.

Shimano 8-speed *IG* or *HG*?
I've been using SRAM 8-speed links on Shimano 8s IG chains for years.

HG. I don't use IG.

And I've never had the slightest problem with 8s/9s/10s SRAM links, but when I tried a 10s Wipperman chain, the Connex link fell apart in 300 miles.

Easy solution, don't use quick links. (Uh oh, now I've done it!)

I'll bet more chains have failed from improperly-installed rivets, than from quick links.

So how come the testers only got 2,000 miles (3,000 km) out of a chain? Some even showed 1% wear with a lot fewer miles.

Do you have to use a new quick link each time you break the chain. That seems like an expense in itself but I don't know how much the quick links are not having used them.
kate

An easier solution is to go back to the older wider chains used in the days of 5, 6 and 7 speed clusters, these chains easily lasted 10,000 miles and most of mine have gone 15,000 and more. To replace a chain every 2 to 3,000 miles seems obsurd to me but that's what happens when your using those thin "jewelry" type of chains.

Now that I have one of those newer "jewelry" chains on my new bike, I will be cleaning and lubing after every ride to see how long the thing will last. Since I want to use the Mercian for touring I may convert it to an older style system because I sure in the hell don't want to have to change the chain every 2 to 3,000 miles while touring! Right now I only have 800 miles on it so time will tell what I do with it.