are chains directional?

[Salty seadog]

Morning all, I have just fitted a kmc 9 speed chain and although I have the indexing sorted I cannot get rid of some chatter from the cassette whilst peddling. Do 9 speed kmc chains need fitting in a certain direction?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

10spd KMC chains don't, 10 speed shimano does.

Flip it and see?

 

[Globalti]

No.

Have you adjusted the B screw to get the top jockey wheel at the right distance from the cassette? There's plenty on the web about this.

Chatter is usually caused by the derailleur being slightly out of adjustment. When did you last service or replace the inner cable and the outer that curves round to the derailleur? There's no point in adjusting the indexing unless this is in good clean condition and working smoothly.

 

[Salty seadog]

Thanks Globalti, yes I have adjusted the b screw, must admit it's been a few months since I last cleaned the cable runs. It was running silently with the old chain, just started with the new one after fitting and indexing.

 

[arch684]

could be the cassette is worn. if the old chain was worn out chances are the cassette is to

 

[tadpole]

could be the cassette is worn. if the old chain was worn out chances are the cassette is to

Surely if you change the chain every few thousand miles (and keep it clean and lubed) you don't have to change the cassette every time. two to three chains to one cassette is the ratio I've seen.

 

[Globalti]

Agreed.

 

[cosmicbike]

So how many miles should I get from a chain then? I experienced 2 rough changes today, and was actually pondering the OP's question myself as I rode towards home. Road bike has 1300 miles on, mickled every 70 or so, and the chain wear guide gauge 0.75 won't quite slot in snug

 

[Salty seadog]

I don't think it's a worn cassette,I changed the chain at 0.75 and with the new chain on the power delivery is tight, no play at all between cassette and chain.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Sorry Global....but some chains are directional.

 

[ColinJ]

Sorry Global....but some chains are directional.

That's news to me, but I never use Shimano chains so it would be.

How much difference does it make if you accidentally fit them the wrong way round?

 

[compo]

That's news to me, but I never use Shimano chains so it would be.

How much difference does it make if you accidentally fit them the wrong way round?

Silly question. You go backwards!

 

[numbnuts]

That's news to me, but I never use Shimano chains so it would be.

I didn't know that either

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

On Shimano chains the solid plate side goes to the outside

 

[Deleted member 23692]

The chamfered side plates go to the outside on the XT chain. And it's vastly smoother shifting that way round