I've got a Bianchi that needs a new chain, 7 speed, with Biopace. It still had the original chain from when it was made I believe, and I noticed some rust. I measured it at 55.5 inches. It seems difficult to find the best chain out there for a 7-speed. Any recommendations?

I would highly suggest an 8 speed sram chain.

+1. Any 7/8s chain will work.

+100 I highly recommend SRAM chains.

I've got SRAM 870's on my 6, 7 and 8 speeds for the past year. They've held up nicely!

Everybody loves SRAM, but if you want something period correct on a very special 80's(?) Italian bike (This is C&V forum afterall), a Regina Oro Record with the drilled plates would look great. may not shift as quickly and positively as SRAMs....but will look fantastic!

Chombi

I happened to make a mistake. It is a 6 speed, and I had gotten a new KMC Z chain from the local bike shop, however it was 1 link too big, or 1 link too small, and did not come with the special connecter link. Because the bike has Biopace, is it positive that the 8 speed Sram will work?

Yes, it will work. It is normal to have to remove link(s) when installing a new chain. IIRC, most come with 114 links, which is enough to do fairly large freewheel/chainring combos. Bikes with less gearing (smaller freewheel large cog, chainrings, etc.) will need links removed. If I am certain that my original chain is the correct length, I usually just match the new chain up to it (lay them side by side) and remove links. You will need a chain tool BTW.

6 x 3 speed, Biopace rings, SRAM PC-830 chain. Works flawlessly. Get the SRAM.

BTW - I had to get a second chain and add I think 4 links to make the monster below work

all chains come about the same lenght and need to 'cut' to fit your bike, so the length of your present chain is not an issue. also if your bike has lots of miles you may need to replace the cassette or freewheel too.

I have been using a KMC 8spd chain and it seems to work pretty well

the problem is that with the new chain I have, it does not have the power-link, and so therefore it would be too long or short. I believe if I have a chain with powerlink, I could match up the length exact. Without weakening the strength.

Khatfull, where in Minnesota do you need gearing like that?

The answer is obvious buy a power link. Roger

If it's too long, you break the chain using a chain breaking tool. Remove the necessary number of links and proceed. The posters above have all said this.

Really don't, it was just an exercise in "can I?" or "just for the heck of it" and, wth, I decided to leave it

what about Shimano chains? the local bike shop has one in stock with a power-link.

+101 This is what you want. SRAM PC830 at Amazon.com for $10.63, free shipping with Amazon Prime or if you buy three (to get to $25 total).

https://www.amazon.com/SRAM-P-Link-Bi...7131883&sr=8-1

The KMC chain you have (without powerlink) will work... you still need a chain tool (and will need one regardless of whether or not the new chain has a powerlink.) You will most likely need to shorten any chain you buy.

Wippermann 8sX. Stainless steel so it won't rust. Nice chains.

Where do we find these? Got a link? All I can find is in the UK.

Among others, Amazon has Wippermann's. A little expensive for my blood. And I suspect money wasted. A lubricated chain is not likely to rust.

I purchased it from a seller on ePay a while back. I've also used their 1z1 and 108 1/8" chain. I really like the Wippermann chain, and have used KMC also which seems like pretty good chain. I can't access ePay from work so I can't look right now, but I'll try to dig it up when I get home.

EDIT: I dug around through my eBay purchases but I can't find the link for where I bought the 8sX, it was that far back... Sorry I don't have a better answer.

+ whatever number we're up to.

Does anyone use shimano chains anymore? I sure don't. They only want you to buy those stupid "Dura Ace" links. SRAM ftw.

+1 +1
I had two 9-sp Shimano's snap on me last year. The "extra pin" is a nice idea, but I have a Power Link on every one of my chains.