JPZ66

Hey All,

Been searching the forum and have found a bit of info here n there, but nothing really comprehensive... so I wanted to ask the question and and see if we can get info all together in one thread....specifically about bicycle chains.

Am mostly trying to understand the differences and quality levels for chains most commonly used for our vintage derailleur equipped bicycles. Which chains are best for our gear ? I am mostly interested in the Campy compatible, such as Regina and Everest, etc, but folks who have the experience and knowledge of the topic for Shimano, Sachs, Simplex, Huret and other systems please jump in and lets see what comes up.

I know the veterans out there possess such knowledge....

Thanks,
Joe

rootboy 

I'm a nut. I use old Regina Oro and Sedis chains.

repechage

Sedis is good and getting pricey, Sram has a chain that is currently I would call the equal, they label it for 7-8 speed.

For that Italian bike that just needs a Regina Oro, get the older Corsa one (beveled/radiused brass side plates) avoid the Oro Extra or for the later bikes the Oro Record, side plates not as thick and drilled.
The immediately above are getting very dear in price, Last I checked all over $100. per.

Everest chains I have had good luck with. Hard to find.

But for best shifting, the Sedis is hard to beat.

Chains are one of those item where the balance of period correct vs. practical tilts toward the practical for me, as they eventually wear out.

rootboy 

So true.
So, is the Sram 7-8 your go-to user? Heard good things about them. Probably ought to hit the LBS and buy myself one. Though he usually stocks only the 8 and 9 speed version.

ThermionicScott 

Not wanting to go through the heartbreak of being attached to NOS/unobtainium chains, I use SRAM 8-speed ones. PC-850 and 870 have served me well, the 830 with non-hardened pins had a disappointing service life, so I avoid that one.

Barrettscv 

Good to know

jimmuller 

I've been running PC870s on just about everything, even the tandem timing chain. They seem to work (not counting the broken/half-lost Powerlink on the most recent Masi ride).

peter_d

My current bikes have SRAM 890, Sedis and even a ridiculously expensive Connex. The one i'm most partial to though is the KMC X8.93, the half nickel plated one, its worked well on every combination of gears i've used it on and looks nice so there's some incentive to keep it clean.

SJX426 

I have debated on weather to bring this topic to a thread. Thanks for doing so!

Chains are a consumable like freewheels and cables, etc. I do have a number of older chains including a Sedis and Ultra I purchased to go with the Ultra 6 winner freewheel. I purchased a SRAM PC 8xx and am very happy with it. with a change in wheel sets on my Colnago, a Regina CX/CXS 7 speed was installed. It shifts better than with the previous freewheel. I was surprised! I may just save the older ones for wall hangers, none of which I have!

jeirvine 

Hmm, the PC-830 has been my go-to chain for a while. I haven't had any issues, but will bump up to 850 or 870 for the next go round.

randyjawa 

Yup, that is my thought on the subject exactly, unless we are talking about pure restoration.

JPZ66

I'd like to get comments along the restoration side of things as well. What chains would be correct for a given drivetrain ? Perhaps those with original 50's, 60's 70's catalogs would care to comment, if the specs are stated?

Chains, not a glamorous item for the most part, but certainly necessary !! (unless you have a vintage chainless bicycle!)

Zinger

I'm stocked up on Sedisports but am currently buying the nickel plated SRAM PC 850s for waxing (which I plan to start doing this spring) hoping they'll keep rust to a minimum. I've been hearing those are the better replacements for the trusty old Sedisports......I have yet to put one on though.

eschlwc

never had any problems with the sram pc-830 either.

i replace it every two years or so, as there is nothing better than a brand new chain.

Wulf

As a kid I needed a new chain for my 10 speed. (a Mercier low end) A friend with a PX10 said to get a Sedis chain (Say-dis). This got relayed to my mother as a Sadist chain. Needless to say, the bike shop didnt have those and my mother refused to try to pick up any more stuff on my behalf.

EBH

I lolled

WNG

I'm a fan of Sedisport chains back in the day.

These days, I give the KMC X8.93 my vote as well. Shifts very well from 6-8 speed set ups, and looks good too.
Shimano's HG50 has been reliable too.

noglider 

Compared to the modern stuff, period correct chains suck.

KMC chains cost less than the other brands and don't seem to be any worse, so I'm a fan.

My comment applies to derailleur chains. Old 1/8" chains might be better than new ones. I don't know.

smontanaro 

Ditto. I don't even worry about it. (Of course, I'm not too much of an originality freak.) I have a few Sedis chains I've cleaned, lubed, and tucked away in old hummus containers (they work great, btw), but I figure why wear out an old chain when the SRAM PC-8xx chanins work so well, are so cheap, and so readily available? If I ever had a Cirque-worthy bike, I could slap on a Sedis before the show.