Sincitycycler

Looking for a somewhat lightweight 3/32" chain that can take punishment.

Dura-ace is not really all the light for as much $$$

Suggestions please?

mihlbach

If you ask me, the best chain is usually the cheapest one when it comes to FG/SS. Chains rarely break when they are properly installed on a well-maintained drive train. In my experience, they all wear out about as fast but some do go for longer than others. I've had great luck with KMC Z510HX (1/8") and KMC Z610HX (3/32") chains, but these aren't exactly light. KMC makes some lighter ones as well that are relatively cheap.
This is useful if your into KMC chains....
https://www.kmcchain.com.tw/index.php...&fn=bu_bicycle

I like the "find your chain" feature.

Hirohsima

KMC, SRAM hollow pin, or Dura Ace. You can find any of those for a 7/8/9sp drivetrain on fleabay for ~$30. The 10sp stuff is narrower and pricier, and totally unnecessary for SS/FG.

I run a old Sachs chain (now SRAM) PC-68 or 88 (can't remember) and it is nickel plated inside and out. Looks good and lasts for a long time. The hollow pin model which I use on my road bike is lighter than a DA chain and is quieter.

jim-bob

I pledge my undying loyalty to whatever chain is ~10 bucks or so.

Ken Cox

I like the KMC 810 Kool Chain, which some folks don't like, saying it doesn't stand up well to abuse.

If any problem existed with the 810, I think KMC has fixed it, or it never existed in the first place.

I like the KMC 610, also, but, for some reason, the 810 runs quieter and I like that.

My lbs strongly recommends the 810.

In any event, if strength matters, I think the KMC 610 and 810 have some of the best, if not the best 3/32 numbers for the money, under $20.

In comparison, a 1/8 HKK Vertex Gold Chain costs close to $70.

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...tex-chain-9734

Does anyone make a fixed gear 3/32 chain in that high a price range?

I know expensive chains for geared bikes exist, but I think it has more to do with how well they shift than any other quality they might have.

If anyone knows of a premium 3/32 chain designed for fixed gear bikes, I'd like to hear about it.

marqueemoon

Aside from the PITA masterlink I am quite happy with my Wipperman Connex.

mihlbach

No, because at that price with a 1/8" chain, you are mostly paying for a bunch of tiny little NJS stamps.

barba

I like Sram 9 speed chains.

Boss Moniker

SRAM PC68.. best chain I've ever used. Quiet, durable, and has a masterlink so you can clean it frequently

wroomwroomoops

Apparently the Rohloff SLT 99 is the state of the art in durability.

I myself have bought an assload of cheap chinese chains that I try to keep lubed and then throw away after 3000-4000 Km. That turned out to be the best strategy costing me some EUR11.50/10,000Km

climbhoser

Just wanted to chime in on this.

I had a Dura-Ace break on me last night. I was track standing on a slightly uphill grade at a light. Riding my SS Surly Xcheck, of course. Out of nowhere, it just flew apart!

I couldn't understand what made this happen. Oh well, it was time for a new one anyways, I was just waiting for spring so I wouldn't get a new one all grungy.

barba

The special pins used to close Shimano chains are prone to poor installation. That is my bet, but you should be able to check where it broke. Use a SRAM masterlink.

climbhoser

Had a SRAM masterlink on it

It was one of the mid-chain links and it just opened up at the link. Ridiculous.

EivlEvo

Shimano chains have sucked buckets for me. I do TONS of MTB racing and the way you install them just leaves me thinking... wow... whose idea was this.

I ride all SRAM PC - 971's now.

SRAM = Hustler.

ALthough on my fixed I have a RED KMC chain because Im a tool.

climbhoser

Just picked up a SRAM PC870. At the end of the day a chain is a chain on a 1-speed. If this guy breaks soon at least I got it at REI and get a new one.

cutality

pics or it didn't happen.

climbhoser

Oh wait, let me just go back to where it happened and pick my way through every inch of praire grass just to prove it to you.

It was 10:00 PM, pitch black, stoplight on a country road. First time it just popped off. One of the sideplates was flexed way out with the pin still in it, the other side plate perfectly straight, pin obviously not in. I didn't have a chain tool or extra links, so I just popped the links back together as best as I could and decided to wobble home slowly. About 10 yards down the road it popped again, with no pressure on it....sounded like skittles as the chain flew off, bouncing accross the road into the field. I called my wife and that was that.

It happened. Dick.

ryansexton

Is it cold right now? I've seen a lot of chains break due to riding too hard in cold weather.

operator

This is nonsense. Chains don't break from cold. They break from being totally wornout, improperly installed or damaged from something external.

climbhoser

It's cold, and the chain was worn, but not severely. It was a hair over 12". I think the wear was probably the reason for the failure. After all, the link that popped was one of the original, factory links...not one I had ever tinkered with. Damage? Probably not.

In fact, I had just cleaned the entire chain two nights before, very thoroughly. Like I said, I think it was just wear, and then heavy duty forces on it.

Like I also said, I was about due for a new one. Just wanted to make a note that a Dua-Ace chain had failed for me.

Charlesbian

ive never found a 3/32 for less than 20$. anyone know links where i can find em as low as 10$ people on here are saying?

wroomwroomoops

I bought a dozen of some cheap-*** chinese chains, about $3 a chain. Crappy, but for the price, very much worth it. They last about half of the usual suspects (SRAM and Shimano), though the Rohloff I mentioned before will last like 5 of these cheap chains. But it's also almost 10 times more expensive.

I am sorry I have no links to post, I bought them from a private person here in Finland.

mihlbach

$11 will get you a KMC Z610HX....a very good 3/32" SS/FG chain. I buy them in batches from here...
https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...oducts_id=2435

LóFarkas

One LBS has what looks like half a mile of chain on a 2-foot cable drum of sorts. I find that strangely awesome. That is all I can add to this conversation.

mihlbach

A year ago or so, someone was posting about buying tandem chains and cutting them in half, essentially getting a 2 for 1 deal.