Chain Preference for a Newcomer
 

Hey guys,

Thanks for the advice on the last thread, it helped me a lot.
So i Trek 2300 with USPS saddle with all the original parts that need cleaning and fixing.
Trek 2300 Road Bike Reviews - RoadbikeReview.com

Now that I have a bike, I need a chain!

I went to a LBS and the mechanic recommended the Shimano CN-7701 dura ace xtr 9 speed chain
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-CN-770...o+dura+ace+xtr

Senior member goenrdoug said he liked the kmc 9.93 chain. When i mentioned this to the mechanic, he had the attitude of why you would use kmc when you have CN-7701. (I sided with goenrdoug's choice to be honest).

But i was wondering if you guys had a different opinion or advice to give me. I'm just starting to get into the whole mechanics part, but I think the chain is one of the more important parts of a bike...

Thanks!

KMC all day, every day.

I'd get something with a PowerLink or a MissingLink. They will make it much easier to remove the chain for a thorough cleaning.

Any 9 speed chain is fine. The Shimano one is ok but has hollow links so once it's on, it stays on until it comes off. If you want to be able to take it off for cleaning you want a SRAM or KMC that is designed for easy off/on.

Personally, I don't do "chain maintenance" I just squirt lube/wipe off every few hundred miles so I actually do use Shimano chains.

I hope that helps.

+1

You never think you'll need to remove your chain and put it back on , until you do

Can you not put back a chain you took it off? I took the old chain off using a chain tool, but i didn't pull the link all the way out so it's still half way in.

Could you explain?

Are powerlink or missing link KMC?

Thanks!

Can you just clean the chain while it's still on the bike? Just putting the clean kit and pedaling?

Most people do it that way. I still like quick links for ease of chain changes..

another vote for KMC . you can find them on ebay for like 15 bucks with the quicklink. You will likely need your chain tool to shorten it to the proper length.

KMC x9 93 9 Speed 116L Stretch Proof Bike Chain Road MTB Fits FSA Suntour Campy | eBay

That DA chain is great but I usually get KMC chains unless the Shimano or Campy equivalent is on deep discount. Just because chains are consumables and you're not getting a tremendous amount of extra performance for the price difference.

As for cleaning, I do what datlas does: Lube, wipe, ride, repeat.

This is a whole other issue, but Shimano chains you can't re-use the pin*. You can buy a "break-off" pin if you have a chain you took off and want to put back on again. More trouble than it's worth. Most other brands have a "master link" that allow you to disassemble the chain and re-assemble.

Personally, I don't bother with that. I get around 3500 miles/chain so that's how often I do major drivetrain cleaning, which is roughly 3x/year. YMMV.

* you can try to re-use the pin but it's going to be weak and you risk a broken chain.

I think i'll follow your advice.

Does this one not have the missing link?
LInk: http://www.amazon.com/KMC-X9-93-Bicy...ords=kmc+x9.93

So i would use the link instead of the actual chain to link the chain so it's easily detachable?

You cut the chain so that you leave two female, roller unit ends. The missing link is a Pin Link Plate with two grooved pressed pins, and a slotted opposing plate.

KMC is very nice.

Missing link allows the chain to be taken apart with just your hands - without tools - at least in theory..........

dunno but the ebay link i put is cheaper and does have the link

http://i.stack.imgur.com/Obufw.jpg

Really? How come they make tools for it?

KMC Chain

I found with the 9 speed missing link i could always open with my hands, but not 10 speed. After opening and closing the 10 speed awhile it finally allowed me to open it by hand. Had to run out and buy a set of those pliers in the middle of a tuning/clean

Little nitpick but you will do better to leave two Male ends for the missing link to mate with.

I use KMC missing links with Shimano chain without issue

You are right. I said the wrong thing. I also remembered that they use one pin in each PLP. Sloppy sloppy on my part. Thanks! :thumb:

I like the KMC precisely because I can take it off if I need to and can put it back on. I've found it to be fairly difficult to open the missing links once they're on there. I can do it, but it takes a good bit of greasy fumbling around. Thus far, I've refused to buy a $15 tool to accomplish it... Eventually I will go ahead and buy the tool.

In any case, now that I've been through a couple of chains, I've kept the missing links from the old ones and two of them now live in my saddle bag -- just in case of a mishap on the road or something.

But yeah, I've bought all my chains from the same e-bay seller with good results. No nonsense, cheap price, comes with the missing links, etc. No problems. KMC x9 93 9 Speed 116 Link Stretch Proof Bike Chain Fits SRAM Shimano Campagnolo | eBay (I'm unaffiliated other than having bought a couple chains and maybe some other stuff from them)

I personally like DuraAce chains and with the 9 speed, you can get the wipperman connex link

Really

i've removed my SRAM link without tools - assume the KMC design is similar. There was cursing involved. Sure the tool is easier

In case you haven't heard KMC make a good chain

I messed up and took out the darker part of the chain and left the whiter part to be connected, and it won't go in..

what can i do?
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=472565