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

1/8 chain on 3/32 drivetrain - safe?

Search
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)

1/8 chain on 3/32 drivetrain - safe?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-01-09, 10:57 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 885
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
1/8 chain on 3/32 drivetrain - safe?

my bike has both a 3/32 cog and chainwheel. I need a new chain and a friend has a unused and in-box 1/8 wippermann chain he is willing to give me.

I know the chain would be compatible, but are there any concerns with this set-up? my chainline isnt straight - I have a sugino rd crank with a surly cog. I believe the chainline is 45mm. Does this mean I'm more likely to throw the chain or create faster wear on the drivetrain?

Or will it just be a case of extra noise (which I dont mind)?

If there's any problem with using this chain on imperfect chainline, I'll just go buy a chain instead. But if it's all good, then I'll just take the free chain...

thanks.
bionnaki is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 11:01 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 54
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
1/8" chain on a 3/32" drivetrain is fine. Proceed.
breadbox is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 11:02 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 885
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
...even with the slightly off chainline?
bionnaki is offline  
Old 06-01-09, 11:05 PM
  #4  
shtface
 
Cy Trivialities's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Queens NYC
Posts: 535
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
u'll be fine. it just has a little more wiggle room than u'd like. nothing you can do except buy a chain urself.
Cy Trivialities is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 07:49 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Thetank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,041
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a Sugino RD with a Surly cog, chainline is perfect, even if it were off by 3mm you'll be fine but personally I would just buy a 3/32 chain. Unless $10 will bankrupt you?
Thetank is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 07:57 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central CA
Posts: 1,414

Bikes: A little of everything

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'd suggest staying with a 3/32" chain for now- they're designed to accommodate a chainline that isn't straight, and they're easier to work on (especially if you have a power link or something similar). Save the gift chain for a rainy day or your next build.

Just my two cents.
Raiden is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 09:39 AM
  #7  
Real Men Ride Ordinaries
 
fuzz2050's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,723
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
It will work, well enough at least for you to bike to your LBS and buy the proper chain
fuzz2050 is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 12:16 PM
  #8  
Wet Cyclist
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Seattle, Wa
Posts: 126
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
My attempts with a 1/8 chain on 3/32 gear resulted in a noisy rig. I like silence I get on the 3/32 chains. Chains are cheap enough to get the right one. They are meant to be replaced fairly often after all.
serac is offline  
Old 06-02-09, 12:37 PM
  #9  
Comanche Racing
 
PedallingATX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Deep in the heart of Texas
Posts: 2,820

Bikes: Presto NJS build, Specialized Allez Pro w/ full Dura Ace and Ksyrium SLs, 1990something Specialized Sirrus

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yeah the 3/32" chain will just be quieter. You will be fine w/ the 1/8" chain, it just may make some nosie w/ the imperfect chainline. If you don't care about the noise, just use the 1/8" chain. It won't hurt. I used 1/8" on 3/32" cog/chainring on my first build.
PedallingATX is offline  
Old 06-08-09, 07:14 AM
  #10  
manonthemoon
 
Triple8Sol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 748

Bikes: Current custom builds: FG=KHS Flite 100 DH=Transition Blindside FR=Transition Bottlerocket

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
From what I understand, it should be fine...
Triple8Sol is offline  
Old 06-08-09, 09:09 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
sickz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: los angeles
Posts: 366
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
1/8" chain on a 3/32" drivetrain actually allows for a straighter chainline since it'll align itself.
sickz is offline  
Old 06-08-09, 10:33 AM
  #12  
*
 
adriano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 6,876

Bikes: https://velospace.org/node/18951

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by sickz
1/8" chain on a 3/32" drivetrain actually allows for a straighter chainline since it'll align itself.
if the chainline difference requires the chain to bend, wouldnt a 1/8 inch chain wear more?
__________________

α
adriano is offline  
Old 06-08-09, 05:48 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
sickz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: los angeles
Posts: 366
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by adriano
if the chainline difference requires the chain to bend, wouldnt a 1/8 inch chain wear more?
if the chainline is that off then it's best to seek other solutions
sickz is offline  
Old 06-08-09, 06:09 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: toronto
Posts: 138
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I run an 1/8" chain on a 3/32" chain ring and 1/8" cog....... your fine
tdot-miele is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



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.