Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

What chains do you guys use?

Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

What chains do you guys use?

Old 11-17-16, 10:37 AM
  #51  
Fixie Infamous
 
Nagrom_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SF
Posts: 10,474

Bikes: 2007 CAAD Optimo Track, 2012 Cannondale CAAD10, 1996 GT Force restomod, 2015 Cannondale CAADX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Yup, all my gold chains came icky sticky.
Nagrom_ is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 10:46 AM
  #52  
Your cog is slipping.
 
Scrodzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 26,054
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 640 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 58 Posts
Every chain comes with some sort of oil or wax on them. It's mostly to keep them from corroding inside the package.
Scrodzilla is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 11:25 AM
  #53  
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,782

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times in 469 Posts
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
I don't know about other brands, but KMC Ti-Ni and nickel chains come wet from the factory. I don't claim to know their reasons, but the chains are lubed. Even their painted chains are lubed.

Another reason to use KMC.

An unopened K710SL is a few feet away from me right now. I could open it and find out but then I might have to admit that I was wrong.


-Tim-
TimothyH is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 11:27 AM
  #54  
Your cog is slipping.
 
Scrodzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 26,054
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 640 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 58 Posts
The new gold one I just put on my bike the other day (and posted a pic of in this thread) was coated in the typical KMC goop.

The amount of chains I've installed on people's bikes is uncountable at this point. Every single one of them had lube on it.
Scrodzilla is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 11:33 AM
  #55  
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
SquidPuppet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Coeur d' Alene
Posts: 7,862

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Mentioned: 75 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2358 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times in 26 Posts
Originally Posted by TimothyH
An unopened K710SL is a few feet away from me right now. I could open it and find out but then I might have to admit that I was wrong.


-Tim-

I had a K710sl and it was factory slimed.
SquidPuppet is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 12:18 PM
  #56  
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,934

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3571 Post(s)
Liked 3,366 Times in 1,915 Posts
Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
The amount of chains I've installed on people's bikes is uncountable at this point. Every single one of them had lube on it.
Indeed. Having been involved in factory-level bicycle assembly where chains were installed on hundreds of bikes daily, I can concur that I've never seen an un-lubed new chain. The factory will always lube the chain, if only to prevent corrosion during shipping and storage.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 12:54 PM
  #57  
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,625

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,560 Times in 1,574 Posts
And what bike shop would want to use chains that they had to lube first?
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 01:06 PM
  #58  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 518
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Izumi Model-V Super Toughness-a mere $80 chain But it will last longer than my riding career. I then built a high-end drive train, hub, clogs and bottom bracket around the chain. A waste of money I'm sure but I'm happy with the setup and ride long road miles with it. If the wind is under 15 mph this is my favorite bike over two expensive road bikes. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow my example.
bowzette is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 03:34 PM
  #59  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
daryldeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: The most congested city in the world.
Posts: 95

Bikes: Celt Steel Frame

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bowzette
Izumi Model-V Super Toughness-a mere $80 chain But it will last longer than my riding career. I then built a high-end drive train, hub, clogs and bottom bracket around the chain. A waste of money I'm sure but I'm happy with the setup and ride long road miles with it. If the wind is under 15 mph this is my favorite bike over two expensive road bikes. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow my example.
pics pls of dat chain :O
daryldeal is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 03:48 PM
  #60  
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
Both of my new KMC710SL's came pre-lubricated. One was the silver one and other gold (Ti Nitride). But, it isn't that typical waxy, oily stuff. It's more of a light oily lubricant...wet not dry-ish.
drlogik is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 03:56 PM
  #61  
- Soli Deo Gloria -
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest Georgia
Posts: 14,782

Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix

Mentioned: 235 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6844 Post(s)
Liked 736 Times in 469 Posts
Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
The new gold one I just put on my bike the other day (and posted a pic of in this thread) was coated in the typical KMC goop.

The amount of chains I've installed on people's bikes is uncountable at this point. Every single one of them had lube on it.
Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
Indeed. Having been involved in factory-level bicycle assembly where chains were installed on hundreds of bikes daily, I can concur that I've never seen an un-lubed new chain. The factory will always lube the chain, if only to prevent corrosion during shipping and storage.

I'm in no position to contradict either of you. On the contrary, either of you have laid hands on more chains then I will see in my life.

I did however, just open a NIB K710SL. If there is lube then it is so thin and light that I'm barely able to discern it. There is certainly no odor.

Does that describe "typical KMC goop"? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or challenge but am sincerely asking.

One of the things that surprised me about this chain was that it was not wrapped in any plastic as I had expected given a lubed chain but packaged in a plain cardboard box. My understanding of nickel is that it has excellent corrosion resistance. These two facts and the experience similar to what I described above is what led me to believe that coated chains don't come with lube or require any corrosion preventative from the factory.


-Tim-
TimothyH is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 05:27 PM
  #62  
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
SquidPuppet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Coeur d' Alene
Posts: 7,862

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Mentioned: 75 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2358 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times in 26 Posts
Originally Posted by TimothyH
I'm in no position to contradict either of you. On the contrary, either of you have laid hands on more chains then I will see in my life.

I did however, just open a NIB K710SL. If there is lube then it is so thin and light that I'm barely able to discern it. There is certainly no odor.

Does that describe "typical KMC goop"? I'm not trying to be sarcastic or challenge but am sincerely asking.

One of the things that surprised me about this chain was that it was not wrapped in any plastic as I had expected given a lubed chain but packaged in a plain cardboard box. My understanding of nickel is that it has excellent corrosion resistance. These two facts and the experience similar to what I described above is what led me to believe that coated chains don't come with lube or require any corrosion preventative from the factory.


-Tim-

That's weird. My new KMC chains are in a shrink wrap and there is a visible mess inside. I have to wipe them off before installation because if they bump into anything it makes a mess. Not to mention my hands.
SquidPuppet is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 05:33 PM
  #63  
Senior Member
 
scoho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 463

Bikes: steel track

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 235 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'll add some data points from recent experience:

My two Izumi Ecos came out of the package coated in a thin layer of sticky wax. Definitely for rust prevention rather than lubrication, I'd say.

The KMC 710SL came out of the package slathered in a wet coating that seemed much more lube-like. (Unfortunately, it also broke my chain tool pin, so I don't know how it rides yet)
scoho is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 06:30 PM
  #64  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 518
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by daryldeal
pics pls of dat chain :O
I'm lazy https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...oughness-chain
bowzette is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 06:33 PM
  #65  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
daryldeal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: The most congested city in the world.
Posts: 95

Bikes: Celt Steel Frame

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bowzette
But we want the real life chain pic in your bike :O
daryldeal is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 06:56 PM
  #66  
THE STUFFED
 
Leukybear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,678

Bikes: R. Sachs Road; EAI Bareknuckle; S-Works Enduro

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times in 17 Posts
Originally Posted by bowzette
Izumi Model-V Super Toughness-a mere $80 chain But it will last longer than my riding career. I then built a high-end drive train, hub, clogs and bottom bracket around the chain. A waste of money I'm sure but I'm happy with the setup and ride long road miles with it. If the wind is under 15 mph this is my favorite bike over two expensive road bikes. I'm not encouraging anyone to follow my example.
Even the most expensive of chains being used will stretch over time, although at varying rates, and will have to replaced sooner or later. Use a chain wear gauge to check.

You wouldn't want to shark tooth your drivetrain with a worn out chain.
__________________
¿pɐǝɹ oʇ sᴉ sᴉɥʇ ƃuᴉʎouuɐ ʍoɥ ǝǝs

Originally Posted by veganbikes
Pound sign: Kilo TT
Leukybear is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 09:54 PM
  #67  
Senior Member
 
johnnytheboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: BANNED.
Posts: 3,899
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts
...
johnnytheboy is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 10:13 PM
  #68  
Your cog is slipping.
 
Scrodzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 26,054
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 640 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 58 Posts
Originally Posted by Leukybear
Use a chain wear gauge to check.
A chain wear gauge is pretty useless on a drivetrain where no shifting is involved. I've literally used the Park Tool chain gauge on a K710SL chains after using it for one day and according to the tool, it was ready to go into the trash.
Scrodzilla is offline  
Old 11-17-16, 10:19 PM
  #69  
Senior Member
 
drlogik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,763

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 698 Post(s)
Liked 405 Times in 251 Posts
As far as chain longevity and chains wearing out.....

My old 1989 Nishiki Ariel got a new chain, it's "FIRST" new chain, since I bought it new in 1989, about a month ago. I replaced the cassette but not the Biopace chain rings. The chain was definitely worn out. Actually I was surprised that it had not broken as I ride it all the time but it was acting weird so I swapped it out. No, the bike doesn't run super smooth but it's my bang-around town bike.

28 years out of a chain. Not bad huh. Mileage? Geez man, who knows, but it's a lot, both road and trail over those years...and it was a daily commuter for a few years to! I used Triflow on it for most of those years. The last 5 or so I used Squirt after I stripped it.


-

Last edited by drlogik; 11-17-16 at 10:24 PM.
drlogik is offline  
Old 11-18-16, 07:11 AM
  #70  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 518
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
A chain wear gauge is pretty useless on a drivetrain where no shifting is involved. I've literally used the Park Tool chain gauge on a K710SL chains after using it for one day and according to the tool, it was ready to go into the trash.
Occasionally I check the chain wear with a Park Tool gauge. I just did to confirm I had no measurable wear and to my surprise if I pressed really firmly on the gauge it slipped between the rollers at the .50 mark. But I've been riding this bike a lot for 5-6 years with four centuries and a number of seventy mile plus rides. Did 15 miles Tuesday and 30 Wednesday. I have no idea the number of miles on the chain. I usually replace my road bike chains twice a year on each bike. Even at $80 for the chain I may not have paid more than replacing a number of cheaper chains over the years. I will keep an eye on this chain and replace it when it stretches a bit more.
Mike
bowzette is offline  
Old 11-18-16, 07:47 AM
  #71  
Senior Member
 
Altimis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 224
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
A chain wear gauge is pretty useless on a drivetrain where no shifting is involved. I've literally used the Park Tool chain gauge on a K710SL chains after using it for one day and according to the tool, it was ready to go into the trash.
Change your gauge tool then!
Altimis is offline  
Old 11-18-16, 08:39 AM
  #72  
Senior Member
 
franswa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ATX
Posts: 1,796
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 251 Times in 105 Posts
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
That's weird. My new KMC chains are in a shrink wrap and there is a visible mess inside. I have to wipe them off before installation because if they bump into anything it makes a mess. Not to mention my hands.
Sounds like someone may have purchased from a dealer selling out of bulk inventory. In my short 6 months at the bike shop, 100% of the new chains I installed had factory goop on 'em. Some had more than others.
franswa is offline  
Old 11-18-16, 09:06 AM
  #73  
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
SquidPuppet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Coeur d' Alene
Posts: 7,862

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Mentioned: 75 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2358 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times in 26 Posts
Originally Posted by franswa
Sounds like someone may have purchased from a dealer selling out of bulk inventory. In my short 6 months at the bike shop, 100% of the new chains I installed had factory goop on 'em. Some had more than others.
Mine or Tim's?

I wasn't clear I guess. All the KMCs I've purchased came in a factory sealed box. The chain was plastic wrapped inside the box.
SquidPuppet is offline  
Old 11-18-16, 09:17 AM
  #74  
Senior Member
 
franswa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ATX
Posts: 1,796
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 324 Post(s)
Liked 251 Times in 105 Posts
Originally Posted by SquidPuppet
Mine or Tim's?

I wasn't clear I guess. All the KMCs I've purchased came in a factory sealed box. The chain was plastic wrapped inside the box.
Tim's

I did purchase bulk chains from J&B that came in qty of 10 in individual plastic bags, and even those were lubed.
franswa is offline  
Old 11-18-16, 09:17 AM
  #75  
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
 
SquidPuppet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Coeur d' Alene
Posts: 7,862

Bikes: 3 Chinese Gas Pipe Nerdcycles and 2 Chicago Electroforged Boat Anchors

Mentioned: 75 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2358 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times in 26 Posts
Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
A chain wear gauge is pretty useless on a drivetrain where no shifting is involved. I've literally used the Park Tool chain gauge on a K710SL chains after using it for one day and according to the tool, it was ready to go into the trash.

The general consensus in the mechanics forum seems to be that the Park gauge (and pretty much all others) are pretty inaccurate. Most of the guys recommend a good old steel ruler instead.
SquidPuppet is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.