I was thinking of converting one of my Treks to 9 speed, just cause I have all the parts except for the chain and the cassette I want (I have one, but I want a different one).
I count 116 links on the Trek and it looks like most 9 speed chains come in 104 link packages.
Am I doing my math wrong? Do I have to buy 2 chains if I have long chainstays and non compact gears?
I bought a new 7 speed chain for the other Trek and it was long enough but even Harris doesn't list the lengths of their chians on the website.

i ride 63cm bikes with long chainstays, and one of my bikes has 11/34 9-speed, XT long cage RD, and a triple up front. with both chains, SRAM and Wipperman, i just put the whole chain on. it works fine.

sure it would be nice to have a few extra links, but i think you can get away with using it as is.

I think most chains are 114 links not 104. 114 should be fine.

I just did a quick check and it appears most chains are 114 or 116 links. I highly recommend the Shimano 7701 Dura Ace/XTR chain.

I just counted the other Trek and it's 114. Don't know why I've got 116 on the first one.
Seems like most of the Ebay auctions are for 104 or 108 link chains. Frustrating.
I'll try that Dura Ace if I can find some at a decent price.
Anyone ever try the KMC? There's a cheap one available.
Thanks for the advice.

kmc and wipperman are slightly narrower than sram, and i would recommend them for shimano hyperglide 9-speed.

https://www.blueskycycling.com/produc...peed-Chain.htm
https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...x?SSAID=176195