identifying used chains after cleaning (8,9 or 10spd?)
 

having disassembled for cleaning a number of bikes recently, and having failed to tag their various chains adequately, I know find myself with about 6+ chains, which while used used are all showing less than discard stretch readings.

rather than drop $15, $30, $45 on replacement 6. 9 or 10-speed chains, I would like to reinstall these used chains.

How though can I determine which are for 8-, 9- or 10-speed systems?
width at the widest point? roller width? is there usually any code marked on the links themselves?

thanks

Peter

widest part of the chain. if you have to ask they are all probably for 6,7,8 spd. can also look up the model number on the chain

1. Take a caliper and measure the maximum width of each chain. Sort them into 3 piles. The widest will be 6/7/8-speed. The narrowest will be 10-speed. If you don't have a caliper, use your least sloppy crescent wrench to gauge each chain.
2. Now sort each pile by length. The chain stay lengths and sprocket sizes should guide you in determining which chain goes with which bike.
3. Next time do this: Frozen food entrees often come in handy little plastic tubs. I save those to put all of the parts that I take off of a single bike into.