What difference between chains
08-27-12 | 12:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane City, Australia
Bikes: Scott 'Speedster 40' 2006 Road/Race bike, Old rigid mountain bike. Only two bikes as I have little space and don't believe in having too many possessions. Mountain bike lives with my father on the water-front of Brisbane (it's a beach-runner).
What difference between chains
Hi. What is the difference between a HG40 and HG50 and SRAM chain? I am putting a new chain on my cheap mountain bike (which does not do a lot of work) and am a bit baffled by the choices. It is a 12 or so year old bike with a Altus seven-on-the-rear group-set. Please do not do too much typing on my behalf but I cannot seem to find the answer anywhere on the internet, including the shimano web-site.
David.
David.
08-27-12 | 07:44 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,687
Likes: 297
When it comes to bikes, chains are a bit like religion. Some people believe in this, some believe in that, others don't care much either way. Some have sampled several different varieties, other remain faithful to one brand. Some are willing to go on crusades to get others to see the light, others are quite content with whatever works.
Personally, I find that correct assembly, frequency of care and lube, followed by ride conditions are much more important than chain brand.
Shimano / SRAM are two different companies. They both make a range of products, from high-end to fairly basic stuff. Compare the same level, and you'd need to look quite hard to spot much of an everyday advantage to either of them.
HG40 vs HG50 isn't much of a difference. Functionally they're supposed to be interchangeable.
Might be that HG50 is shiny, plated with something-or-another(chrome? Nickel?) as rustproofing and bling points while the other may be left black. Shiman does that for cassettes anyhow.
Personally, I find that correct assembly, frequency of care and lube, followed by ride conditions are much more important than chain brand.
Shimano / SRAM are two different companies. They both make a range of products, from high-end to fairly basic stuff. Compare the same level, and you'd need to look quite hard to spot much of an everyday advantage to either of them.
HG40 vs HG50 isn't much of a difference. Functionally they're supposed to be interchangeable.
Might be that HG50 is shiny, plated with something-or-another(chrome? Nickel?) as rustproofing and bling points while the other may be left black. Shiman does that for cassettes anyhow.
08-27-12 | 08:30 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 371
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Bikes: 1983 Trek 620, 2010 Roubaix
When it comes to bikes, chains are a bit like religion. Some people believe in this, some believe in that, others don't care much either way. Some have sampled several different varieties, other remain faithful to one brand. Some are willing to go on crusades to get others to see the light, others are quite content with whatever works.
Personally, I find that correct assembly, frequency of care and lube, followed by ride conditions are much more important than chain brand.
Shimano / SRAM are two different companies. They both make a range of products, from high-end to fairly basic stuff. Compare the same level, and you'd need to look quite hard to spot much of an everyday advantage to either of them.
HG40 vs HG50 isn't much of a difference. Functionally they're supposed to be interchangeable.
Might be that HG50 is shiny, plated with something-or-another(chrome? Nickel?) as rustproofing and bling points while the other may be left black. Shiman does that for cassettes anyhow.
Personally, I find that correct assembly, frequency of care and lube, followed by ride conditions are much more important than chain brand.
Shimano / SRAM are two different companies. They both make a range of products, from high-end to fairly basic stuff. Compare the same level, and you'd need to look quite hard to spot much of an everyday advantage to either of them.
HG40 vs HG50 isn't much of a difference. Functionally they're supposed to be interchangeable.
Might be that HG50 is shiny, plated with something-or-another(chrome? Nickel?) as rustproofing and bling points while the other may be left black. Shiman does that for cassettes anyhow.
Great post and I completely concur.
-Tom in SoCal
08-27-12 | 08:30 AM
#4
Still spinnin'.....
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 2
From: Whitestown, IN
Bikes: Fisher Opie freeride/urban assault MTB, Redline Monocog 29er MTB, Serrota T-Max Commuter, Klein Rascal SS, Salsa Campion Road bike, Pake Rum Runner FG/SS Road bike, Cannondale Synapse Road bike, Santana Arriva Road Tandem, and others....
The tensile strength of the actual materials used doesn't seem to be widely varied (except for steel vs titaniun of course), but the construction techniques vary widely. Some lighter chains use hollow pins and I have had very good luck with KMCs X9SL-CP, but I've broken two upper-quality SRAM PC971 chains and I won't be buying anymore. I've had better luck with Shimano chains but I won't buy less than a CN-HG93 , and the KMC chain are IMO both stronger and have longer usable lifespans. For Clydes, tandems, and others who have issues with chain strength I suggest chains with mushroomed pins/rivets like a KMC X8.99 or X9.99, and I have found MTB chains to be a bit stronger than road chains just because the road chains typically are designed with more of an interest in lighter weight.
KMC Chains Website
KMCs X9SL-CP
KMC X9.99 with mushroomed pins
KMC Chains Website
KMCs X9SL-CP
KMC X9.99 with mushroomed pins
08-27-12 | 12:59 PM
#5
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,811
Likes: 1,787
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
I think the OP is looking for a very inexpensive chain, so I recommend KMC Z-series for the particular number of gears that the OP's rear wheel is equipped with.
I always select Shimano chain for the greatest durability, best shifting and tolerance of scant lubrication.
Hard to find any Shimano chan for the price of a KMC Z-series chain though.
I can't recommend SRAM chains or especially WalMart (TaYa/Bell) chains. I've seen too many broken.
I always select Shimano chain for the greatest durability, best shifting and tolerance of scant lubrication.
Hard to find any Shimano chan for the price of a KMC Z-series chain though.
I can't recommend SRAM chains or especially WalMart (TaYa/Bell) chains. I've seen too many broken.
08-27-12 | 03:20 PM
#6
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,642
Likes: 1,106
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
+1 Good cheap chain = KMC Z series. Pick the one that matches your rear # of speeds. I have used hundreds of KMC chains, its all I use.
__________________
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
08-27-12 | 04:38 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,660
Likes: 177
I am a fan of the KMC chains too. Cheap and they hold up. I am a remove and clean type who got 16,000 miles out of my last one. It's 8 speed and I have a seven speed setup on the tourer and the chain has over 15k miles on it.
08-28-12 | 02:08 AM
#8
almost like new
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 135
Likes: 60
From: Taiwan
There is a pin difference of 7.3mm and 7.1mm between the Shimano HG chains and Sram chains, respectively. KMC offers options for both systems:
7.3mm: Z7 and Z8 (latter with SP/mushroomed pins mentioned by Stealthammer)
7.1mm: Z72, Z82, Z92 (last two with SP/mushroomed pins)
cheapest option for your Shimano system - Z50 - but this chain does not have a raised bridge on the outer plates.
7.3mm: Z7 and Z8 (latter with SP/mushroomed pins mentioned by Stealthammer)
7.1mm: Z72, Z82, Z92 (last two with SP/mushroomed pins)
cheapest option for your Shimano system - Z50 - but this chain does not have a raised bridge on the outer plates.
Last edited by Papa Ado; 08-29-12 at 03:40 AM.
