Seems like all the chains marketed specifically for SS/Fixed usage are 1/8. What are the best 3/32 chains to use? I've been considering a basic SRAM PC850 8speed chain, but is there anything better?

I've been using a PC870 on mine for the last 1200 miles or so. No problems yet.

we should add a search function to this forum ha

Not nearly as much fun as starting new threads!

I agree. If I don't see it on the first page, I start a thread. Search functions rarely work well--usually tons of clutter that has nothing to do with what you want to ask.

This kinda pisses me off.


Use the god damned search function. It's there for a reason. Don't clutter up the forum with things that have been answered again and again.

Google works too.

I like my KMC 810SL....

Oh, what do you know? The search function returned my thread and then 6 others that have nothing to do with my question.

I've been on forums many years, plenty long enough to know that the search function is rarely worth a damn. And frankly, people that proselytize the seach function as if it's a magic info geyser piss *me* off.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-32-quot-chain

I'd learn to use the search function.

You're gonna go far, kid.

And in answer to your question, who gives a damn? They all connect the chainring to the cog sufficiently, so buy whatever's cheapest unless you're looking for exotic/lightweight.

Woukd seem like the fewer the cogs the chain was desiged for the beefier it would be. Find something still on the market for 5/6/7 cog fws. www.harriscyclery.com usually has oddball stuff like this. www.bikepartsusa.com or even www.nashbar.com www.bikeisland.com has stuff w/no shipping ever. Try one of those webstores I'm sure one of them will have what you're looking for.

Yes, the sram pc850 would be a perfect chain. Any chain will work fine, but since your chainline is most likely off a few mm, a multispeed chain will work best.

The best way to search is to use Google. Site: bikeforums.net keywords

Works better than the built-in search function. I use it often when I have a question that I know has probably been answered. Not that I'm criticizing you for it.

But you didn't add SS/Fixed to the Best 3/32" chain. Now if you did you would of came up with nothing to do with what he actually asked! So like he said and I say search function on almost all forums don't work worth a crap..

I sometimes have luck with Google. I use to work for Google and we always said, even with a good search engine, searching is more of an art than a science--it's basically trying to guess how other people think. Of course a bad search engine takes away both the science and the art.

Plus human interaction isn't such a bad thing. Although some people seem to disagree =)

I went with the SRAM and an Avenir 3/32 fixed cog. I was about to buy a Surly cog, but it would have cost 4x as much. Hopefully the SRAM chain will hold up nicely. The bike came with all 1/8" drivetrain, but my White Ind freewheel is 3/32 and then I needed to order a new chainring. The 3/32 Sugino chainring was a A LOT cheaper than the 1/8 (they wanted like $90 for just a 1/8 chainring--insane). So after all is said and done, I think the 3/32 drivetrain will be much more economical.

x201forums.net

It's in the ssfg forum. Maybe that's why you have the problem, viz read more and smart-ass less.

In my experienced opinion, the KMC K810-SL is one of the best 3/32" chains designed for SSFG use you can buy.

+1

I've broken two SRAM chains over the past ten years and won't be buying anymore thank you. They might be fine components for most people, but both their PC850 and PC870 chains have failed me and in 25 years of using various Shimano chains I never had one chain break as these two did. However, I began replacing all of my chains with KMCs a couple of years ago because a lot of more seasoned riders had highly recommended them and they appeared to be very high quality, and I have not experienced any issues with them at all. I also find them to be pretty quiet compared to the Shimano chains.

I too would recommend the KMC K810-SL because not only is it has proven to be a very durable chain designed specifically for SS, but is probably the lightest chain you will find for a SS/FG running 3/32". I know a lot of track riders use it, as well as a lot of freestylers, and I don't think anyone puts more stress on a chain than those two groups of rider.....

Wippermann 700, 708, 7Z1 or 7R8. I use Wippermann chain exclusively for all my bikes. It's not as cheap as some other brands, but it doesn't stretch nearly as fast.

I won't use SRAM chains either. I was on a ride along with a friend who nearly did a face plant when his SRAM 10-speed chain (the ultra-narrow stuff) broke. After that, when I did a 63 mile ride recently on my Bilenky 650B tandem, I broke a SRAM 9-speed chain twice over that distance. The tandem is new, so I had not yet changed the chain. I'm replacing it with a Wippermann 908 chain.

I haven't used any of the Wippermann chains, but I always have at least a couple of Wipperman Connex master links for 8, 9, and 10-speed chains in my parts inventory. IMO, there isn't a better master link made anywhere, by anybody. KMC master links come close, but the Wippermann link is just a bit easier to use.

I built frames for Santana Tandems in the late '80s and early '90s, and IMHO all tandems should be using KMC chains (or Wippermann based on their rep) if at all possible. I currently am upgrading a 1988 Arriva, and it already has KMC Z8 chains for both the drive chain and the timing chain. I would have been willing to use an Ultegra or Dura-Ace if that is all that was available, but I'm just not willing to gamble on a SRAM anymore.

What's wrong with using 1/8" chain on your 3/32" SS drivetrain?