Need a New Chain - Availability Issue
 

I need a new Shimano HG53 9-Speed "118" Link Chain for my bike, but apparently this is a rare collectors only item, because that's about the level availability I'm finding. I want to order one online, and I found one that can ship from Japan, but I don't want to wait about a month to receive it.

Does anyone know of an online retailer where I can order one and receive it relatively soon here in the U.S.?

As a last resort, I suppose I can check with some local bicycle shops to see if they either have one or can get one, but I'd prefer to just order one online.

First of all, keep in mind that transit times via mail from japan to the USA is MUCH shorter than a month. Figure a long week, or maybe 10 days.

Secondly, are you sure you need 118 links? I ask because most of us end up cutting 2-6 links off 112 or 114 link chains anyway.

If your current chain is 118 links, you can do a simple test to see if a shorter chain will serve. Shift to the big/big combo, and use a piece of string to toe the chain at the top of the chainring so it can't come off. Then disengage the chain from the bottom of the chainring and pull it forward until it's straight, and hook a roller onto the bottom of the ring. (The string should keep the crank from turning, though you might help).

Now count how many links you've pulled up. The first 2 (1") represent the added slack for shifting (big/big +1"), the rest can be done without. So if you started with 118 links, and pulled 6 up, then you only need 114.

As a last resort, you can buy two chains and splice them together, which is what recumbent owners have to do as a matter of course. Save the unused chain for the next go round.

I have found out that for sure 118 links is required for my setup. Going the two chain route is an interesting thought. The 114 and to some extent the 116 link versions of this chain are far more readily available. Of course that would mean using two links, but would that really be ok to do? I'm definitely going to stick with the Shimano pin link system, because using the Sram PowerLink, and also trying the KMC MissingLink, both resulted in a kind of skip happening each time they went around the rear cog. I took a look at both links, and they do not have the flare in the middle of the link like the chain itself does, which must be the reason they suffer from this issue.

FWIW - I have a bias about two connectors close together. It's not any science that I can explain or justify, just a bug. So, you might bring one chain down to about 110 links or less, then splice in a short length. Or you can cut them both nearer to the middle (not in the middle) and splice the two longer sections together, saving the shorter ones for your next chains.

But, if the cost is right, don't discount buying from Japan. The mail transit time will be shorter than you expect.

OK, thanks for sharing your knowledge on this. I will think this over a bit and then go for one of those two options.

Happy New Year! :thumb:

Contact a shop or retailer that handles recumbents. Because of the longer (and variable) lengths used by bents, they usually buy chain in bulk lengths and sell it by the foot.

I ended up getting two smaller chains and breaking them, and then forming the length I needed. So two connector-pins and all is well. Thanks! :thumb:

I am surprised that you would not have been able to find a chain for your new bike.

Me too, it was very disappointing. I checked local shops, all they had were the 114 and 116 link versions, just like everywhere online. I was only able to find one 118 link that I needed from an ebay seller in Japan, and one from an Alibaba seller in China. I guess if it's not a fairly high selling item, no one want's to stock it.

Some of the Shimano chains I've seen (HG73) come with both a master link and a master pin.

So, you could use the master pin to add 2 to 4 more links, and then the master link to splice.

If not, a pile of link pins are relatively cheap too.

The HG53 doesn't have any other link options besides using pins. I tried a Sram PowerLink and a KMC MissingLink, and both cause the chain to bind when they reached the rear cassette. Perhaps those only work correctly on a Sram drive-train.

Hmmm

The HG53, HG73, & HG93 chains should all be more or less compatible, and you should be able to use any of them.

I bought mine (HG73) from China (with made in Japan printed on the box)... does anybody make counterfeit chains? Anyway, the wear has been quicker than I'd like, so I've been wondering (and looking for alternatives)

The latest batch came with both the quick links and pins, but I can't say if that is universal or just with my particular chains. I never tried the quick links. I may have a couple spares if I can find them, but no guarantee of their quality.

The replacement pins are apparently the same for all 9s chain models.

It's not unusual for a bike with a long wheelbase and long chainstay to need more than 116 links. My Globe Carmel comfort hybrid needs 122 links. I bought a single KMC Z72 chain from REI and the mechanic kicked in some extra identical links, cut from new Z72 chains installed on other bikes than needed fewer than 116 links.

If the KMC Missing Link seems to be binding be sure it's the correct match for the chain. I overlooked this detail a few weeks ago. The Missing Link version one is 7.3mm pin length; the MLII is 7.1mm. I couldn't read the fine print without my heavy duty reading glasses. I noticed the difference only after installing the MLII (7.1mm) on a spliced Z33 chain (7.3mm pins), and realized the Missing Link was binding slightly.

Anyway, now I have a couple of new KMC chains to use for cutting and splicing for future changes. Turns out the gritty rural chip seal and gravel roads I enjoy riding are chewing through chains and cassettes quicker than I'd expected so I'll probably need to replace them every year.

I wish the information from Shimano was more clear on exactly what differences there is in build and comparability between their 9-speed chains. I think you're likely correct on those three all being cross compatible. Had I known that for sure, I would have considered moving up.

I was under the impression that the Sram PowerLink for 8 and 9 speed chains was the same item, but apparently it isn't. I did use the 8-speed link, so that's probably why I had the issue. On the other hand, the KMC link I used is the 9-speed version, and it caused a bind at the rear cassette. I've got a few Sram PowerLinks designated as 9-speed on order, which I'll try when needed.

I'm curious about what kind of bike you have that requires 118 links. Is it an xtracycle? Or just a 'regular' bike with exceptionally long chainstays?

It's a 2016 Novara - Safari, so yes, a long chainstay. I also lowered the gearing considerably. So while the front rings are a bit smaller, the rear cassette sprockets are quite a bit larger. 116L was causing it to bind and lockup, now that I've got 118L on there it's just about perfect.

Was there any reason in particular you felt you needed that specific chain? Personally I only use kmc or sram chains. I ditch shimano whenever I can.

I ordered a KMC previously and found the quality lacking. I may give Sram a try next time.

It doesn't feel like 118 links is enough. I'm thinking I may need to move up to 120. Does that sound right?

It doesn't sound right to me. How long are the chainstays? I doubt they are any longer than a Surly LHT or a Trek 520. I used a standard chain on my LHT. I could use two links more on my Surly, but didn't bother with it. It shifts fine, and has the added advantage that there is less chain slop when using the middle and smaller rings. I have zero binding anywhere in its range.

Are you having shifting issues? What exactly is the issue causing you to think you need a longer chain?

All that info is on this page. 116 was way too short, which caused the low gears in the rear to bind and lock up the derailleur. Now that I've got 118 on it it's better, but still has some bind and grind. This being the case, adding two links seems like the obvious answer, but I thought I ask others with more experience than I about it before making the change.

Sorry, I tried to follow the thread while doing other things and you mentioned different links/chains, etc. I misses the specific response regarding only the 116 link chain.

It still sounds odd. I how you figure it out, but it doesn't really sound like just chain length. If it is, since you bought two chains, try more links. On what combination front ring/rear cog does it bind, or skip? Good luck, hope you figure it out.

Thanks. Big/Big is a no go, Mid/Big is a little better but still a no go, and Small/Big is better, but still has some bind and grind. This being the case, as I said, sure seems to indicate that adding two will resolve the issue.

Well, on a triple, you would never use big/big so that's not an issue. Add the links and see. How does the derailleur look when you are big/big? I can do it with 116 links on my LHT, but it isn't how it should be, it is tight. Once again, it would never be used like that so it isn't an issue. Everything else works. 118 is what came on it from what I remember. Add the links and see how it is. Good luck!

I wouldn't actually try and ride Big/Big, or even Small/Small for that matter, but I only checked it to see how it fit with the new length. I'll go ahead and add two links and report back. :thumb: