Hi all,

What kind of chains are you using on your friction 5-6 speed setups?

I'm running a Shimano 600 first gen crankset, a Gipiemme front derailleur with a 7 speed chain.

I've used the Shimano 7sp chain about 700 miles and front shifting is becoming really difficult. Maybe because the chain is just too narrow(derailleur cage too wide) and not new anymore?

I find the singlespeed chains which are sometimes branded 5-6 speed chains are too wide so they make a lot more noise than 7 sp chains.

Ideally I'd love an old Sedis etc. chain from ebay but I ride the bike a lot so I'd like to use modern stuff.

I have found KMC 5-6 and 7 speed chains to work well with 5-6 speed friction setups.

I just ordered 4 KMC Z50 - 5/6/7 speed chains from Niagara cycle works. Those are basically what I use all the time and they are only like 5-6 bucks + a little for shipping. I do feel like my chains are wearing out exceptionally fast so I am going to try and start paying attention to the mileage I am getting out of them, mostly out of curiosity because they are so cheap it doesn't matter too much. If the mileage turns out to be really low maybe I will try something a little more expensive next time.

I use Wippermann Connex whenever I replace chains on my bicycles. Spend the money, it's worth it.

Kmc

If you like Sedis, then try a SRAM chain, which is the lineage chain to the Sedisport. SRAM acquired SACHS, which included Sedi.

I've had very good experiences with KMC, and like their X-series chain.

Personally, I've witnessed four broken chains - twice on my own bicycles and twice on bicycles of friends. In all cases they had one commonality: SRAM. I'm not saying they are a bad chain, but the experiences I've personally had indicate they are prone to breaking and, therefore, to be be avoided.

Very interesting experience. Were these failures related to their quick link, or random links broke?
I just got gifted a new SRAM 850 nickel plated chain. I was planning to use it for a Pacific Coast tour. Maybe I shouldn't!

I started out using KMC Z33 - $5 chain. Now I use KMC X8.93 - fabulously quiet and smooth running chain.

Actually, the quick links stayed intact and were seeming random links. The first one I saw was on fender1's bicycle as he started powering up a hill. I think he was running 9s chain. He nearly did a face plant! The most recent one was on a cyclocross bicycle running 10s chain. It may be coincidence, but 4 out of 4 seems like a problem to me.

Hmmm, that is disconcerting given random links. I think I'll forgo the SRAM for my tour. Thanks for the heads up, Dallas.

Thanks all, I'll put on a new Wipperman or KMC, both of which I've had good experiences in 9-10sp systems. Hope that'll help the shifting issue. Please continue the discussion

SRAM: Power Chain II PC 830 works smoothly and very quietly in 5 to 7 speed drivetrains

I have used and had experience with mostly shimano, sram, KMC and Campagnolo, with the odd wipperman thrown in, though I can't comment on those.

Without question. I repeat without question in my 10 years wrench (about 5 as a professional). I can say shimano makes the best chain. If you are on a budget get and HG-50. If you have the money get the HG-91. 5,6,7,8 speed it's all the same chain. You cannot go wrong with this chain. It's the quietest, longest wearing and smoothest shifting.

I have been out of the shop for 2.5 years now... things may have changed (certainly they have as 11 speed it here now), but at the time I would recommend and use shimano chains and cassettes on all shimano and sram bikes. Customers were always happier with this smoother, quieter set-up. Sram is okay, but not quite as good. I love my Dura-ace chains and cassettes and Dura-ace/XTR level chains are all I will buy. Though I did get a sram equipped 10 speed fat bike last year, I think I can use 10 speed dura-ace on that still, but not HG-X.

There are several bad reviews of SRAM chains on Amazon. I recently replaced a SRAM chain because it started elongating prematurely. Maybe I didn't keep it clean enough, but I don't want to experiment with that brand any more. I'm sure their components are fine, but I'm not going to buy another chain of theirs, especially when KMC cost less and get so many great reviews. Besides, KMC master links are reuseable.

I've been running Shimano IG and HG series chains (6-7-8-speed) on my C&V Campy bikes and the performance is great - smooth, quiet shifts. Problem I have had is stiff links. When I opened up a stiff joint and looked at the inside of the plates where they rub together, I found what appeared to be rust that was locking up the joint. Odd because the chains appear to be stainless steel or chrome or nickel plated. I don't ride in wet or salty conditions and I keep my chains lightly lubed. I'm still using the Shimanos, but lubing them more and replacing them more often, discarding rather than cleaning them.

I use KMC, on my 6 speed, I use their 6/7 speed chain, they are inexpensive, and seem to run well. The rule is, you can go higher but not lower, that is you can run an 8 speed chain on a 7 speed drive train, but you can't run a 7 speed chain on an 8 speed drive train.

Shimano HG-50 or KMC X8 99 or 93 chains. miles of single speed on both.

The HG70 can often be found for under 20, I find it to be a very good chain. The ones I have been getting are made in Japan and seem very nice quality. I have run HG 70 on many of my older 6-7 speeds and even have one running on my 9 speed tour beast commuter. You do need a good chain tool for Shimano chains.

Kmc.

A 5/6/7 speed chain should be fine. I've had good luck with KMC and SRAM. I'd recommend using the widest 3/32" chain you can find; I had an interesting problem come up this spring. I put a TA "Pro-5-vis" 48/36 crank on a bike this spring and the narrow modern chain often got jammed between the chainrings when shifting onto the 36T ring. Digging through my big box o' chainrings, I found a 36T Sugino PX chainring with about half the tooth offset of the TA chainring, thus narrowing the gap between the rings. Replacing the TA ring with the Sugino ring solved the problem, but I suspect a slightly wider chain would have worked just as well.

I am using a Regina hollow pin chain on a regina 6 speed freewheel. Both NOS and on my newly restored mid 80's Medici. (not everything has to make economic sense). Works well and shifts great for its vintage.

I've had great luck with SRAM Powerlink chains. I use them on all the bikes that we have at home. Guess I have yet to experience the above if it's relatively common.

I use the 830 on my C&Vs. Sound chain for the price tag.

Now I'm getting confused. I understand that traditional 5 and 6 speed freewheels have a certain nominal spacing, ergo, they take the same chain, i.e. 5/6 speed. I also understand that the narrower spacing, introduced with 7-speed freewheels, I believe, was continued with 8 speed freewheels & cassettes, hence 7/8 speed chain. So please enlighten me, where does 5/6/7 speed chain fit in? Were there actually 7 speed freewheels with wide spacing?
If so, I still think it would be better to refer to 5/6 speed chain as distinct from 7/8 speed chain, to avoid confusion. And we all know about 6 speed Ultra spacing, which would totally muddy the waters if we tried to use that as a differentiator of chain width.
Anyway, in response to OP, I typically use inexpensive chain such as KMC or Nashbar brand (same difference?), usually added to an order to meet free shipping or discount coupon threshold. I would rather have a clean(ish), cheap, new chain than a dirty expensive old one, and I enjoy riding a lot more than I enjoy cleaning chains, but that's just me.
With all the 6-speed Ultra conversions I've done, with new, what I'm pleased to call 7/8 speed chain, I now have a fair stash of salvaged, what I'm pleased to call 5/6 speed chain on hand waiting for those currently in use on my non-ultra bikes to reach their respective ends of life.

I use SRAM PC870 chains on most if not all my bikes and builds. The LBS sells all speeds of SRAM chains, never had one bit of failure. Everytime I take one off to clean, it gets a new quick connector. I keep a good stock of quick links. I have used KMC chains in the past, but hate how bad they shift.