Old 10 speed chain replacement
09-17-10, 09:19 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 74
Bikes: Fuji Track and 1984 Puch Classic FG conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Old 10 speed chain replacement
Hello all, I'm a bit confused about chain size. I want to replace a chain on an very old 10 speed, but when I look at chains in stores or online, i'm not sure what to look for. For example, many chains will say they are 6/7/8, 9, or 10 speed. Can someone tell me what that means? At first I though it meant number of rear cogs, but that wouldn't apply to the 10 speed model, would it?
The bike in question for me has 5 in the rear and 2 in the front. Please help! I'm still a noob who's trying to learn as much as i can.
Thanks!
The bike in question for me has 5 in the rear and 2 in the front. Please help! I'm still a noob who's trying to learn as much as i can.
Thanks!
09-17-10, 09:46 AM
#2
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Cologne, Germany
Posts: 55
Bikes: 1977 Koga Miyata Gent’s Racer, 1978 Koga Miyata Gent’s Touring, 1991 Dawes Galaxy, 2008 Sparta Pick-Up, 2012 Workcycles Kr8
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
By ten speed do you mean 10 chainrings in the casette or 5 in the rear and 2 in the front (like I have on my Gent's Touring). I bought a SRAM 830 for mine...
Basicly you have to count the chainrings in the back and if that is 5,6,7,8 or 9 or 10 you should get a chain for so many gears. I find it rather confusing that you only count the rear chainrings...
Basicly you have to count the chainrings in the back and if that is 5,6,7,8 or 9 or 10 you should get a chain for so many gears. I find it rather confusing that you only count the rear chainrings...
09-17-10, 10:01 AM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Hartford, CT
Posts: 74
Bikes: Fuji Track and 1984 Puch Classic FG conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
that's what i'm asking - do you count both sets of gears together when choosing a new chain? If so, my bike is a 10 speed (5 rear, 2 front). But, when I see a chain listed at 6/7/8 speed, that doesn't sound like a combination of front and rear. Maybe I'm just naive, but I've never heard of a 6, 7 or 8 speed bike.
09-17-10, 10:08 AM
#4
John Wayne Toilet Paper
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Roanoke
Posts: 1,952
Bikes: BH carbon, Ritchey steel, Kona aluminum
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
an old "10 speed" bike has 5 cogs on the back and 2 chainrings on the front (the ten available speeds come from the possible gear choices... or, the product of front times rear... 2 x 5 = 10).
However, modern chains are sized based on the number of rear cogs. a 10spd chain is narrower than a 9spd chain. You need a chain that will work for a 5spd rear end (assuming your bike does indeed have 5 rear cogs).
However, modern chains are sized based on the number of rear cogs. a 10spd chain is narrower than a 9spd chain. You need a chain that will work for a 5spd rear end (assuming your bike does indeed have 5 rear cogs).
09-17-10, 10:09 AM
#5
Guest
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Grid Reference, SK
Posts: 3,768
Bikes: I never learned to ride a bike. It is my deepest shame.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
You count the rear cogs only.
An older ten speed will probably work with a 6/7/8 speed chain, or just the cheapest available '3/32" multi speed chain'
Different numbers of rear cogs have different spaces between them (10 cogs int he rear are closer together than 5 cogs in the rear) and you need a chain that will ride smoothly on one cog without without interferring with the cogs next to it.
An older ten speed will probably work with a 6/7/8 speed chain, or just the cheapest available '3/32" multi speed chain'
Different numbers of rear cogs have different spaces between them (10 cogs int he rear are closer together than 5 cogs in the rear) and you need a chain that will ride smoothly on one cog without without interferring with the cogs next to it.
Likes For LarDasse74:
09-17-10, 12:34 PM
#7
Mechanic/Tourist
I'm glad you got a clear answer - and to assure you, your very first post included all the information needed - 2 in front, 5 in the rear. As indicated any 3/32 chain will work, don't spend a lot of money, BUT if any of the rear 5 gears are worn the new chain may skip and you'll need to replace the "freewheel" (5 cogs) as well.
Likes For cny-bikeman:
