8 speed chain links same size as 9 speed links

[jackthelad]

guys put a new chain on my hybrid,after the old one broke an sram pg870 8speed.I was wondering about taking a strip of the links with me incase of a chain break on my 9 speed road bikes,probably a strip of about 6 links.What I am wondering about are these links the same size as a sram 970 chain links.

Any help appreciated

Jackthelad

 

[Andy_R]

my thinking is this...9speed chain is narrower than 8speed to match up with the decrease in distance between sprockets on a 9 speed cassette. What this will possibly mean is that by using links from an 8 speed chain they may stick in the narrower gap between sprockets in the 9 speed cassette. Haven't done this myself (replaced chain when replaced mech) so I can't say for sure, but this would seem to be logical.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Unlike Campag, Shimano 9 speed cassette sprockets are too closely spaced for 8 speed chains.

Instead of replacing links at the roadside, why not just take damaged ones out if necessary - then take care not to access large front and larger back rings at the same time (and which are usually not sensible gears to use anyway), or quit using the largest front ring, until you get to the next shop.

If you have a single chainset, the rough rule is you lose access to 4 teeth from the lowest gear at the back for dropping every two chain links.

 

[jackthelad]

guys thanks for getting back to me,it was just a thought,pity the shops dont sell emergency chain lengths, say about 8 links of each chain,then you would not have to compensate gears or waste a good chain for the sake of a few links.Maybe there is a business here for someone making up emergency kits for each chain

jackthelad

 

[ColinJ]

guys thanks for getting back to me,it was just a thought,pity the shops dont sell emergency chain lengths, say about 8 links of each chain,then you would not have to compensate gears or waste a good chain for the sake of a few links.Maybe there is a business here for someone making up emergency kits for each chain

jackthelad

New chains are always too long so when you fit them, you end up with at least 4 or 5 links worth of spare chain. I carry one such piece with me on rides, as well as a powerlink or two.

 

[HLaB]

guys thanks for getting back to me,it was just a thought,pity the shops dont sell emergency chain lengths, say about 8 links of each chain,then you would not have to compensate gears or waste a good chain for the sake of a few links.Maybe there is a business here for someone making up emergency kits for each chain

jackthelad

It maybe sounds like a good idea but you'd end up with a chain that consisted of multiple link lengths which would quickly wear out your transmission. It'd be fine for emergencies (and save a compromise on gears) but you'd still have to bin the chain when you got home.

 

[youngoldbloke]

It maybe sounds like a good idea but you'd end up with a chain that consisted of multiple link lengths which would quickly wear out your transmission. It'd be fine for emergencies (and save a compromise on gears) but you'd still have to bin the chain when you got home.

+1 - if a chain fails it is definitely not worth risking further failure, so I would replace it ASAP. I always carry a quick link, how likely is it that a chain failure would involve more than 1 link?