Choosing And Fitting A New MTB Chain

[woodbine]

I have a 25 year old British Eagle MTB with 6 speed Uniglide rear cassette and 3 cog oval Biopace crank cogs. I would like to ask what sort of chain to buy for it, as I don't have the first clue how to select the correct one for my bike. What should I be looking for?

Also, when I come to fit the new chain, is it really as easy as making sure that the new chain has the same number of links as the old one? Presumably if the new chain is too long, I just remove excess links?

Out of interest, are all mountain bike chain links the same length and width, or do they vary? Apologies for the basic questions and thanks in advance.

 

[raleighnut]

Just get a 6 speed chain from a bike shop, cheap as chips (you won't save anything on-line)
9 speed and 10 speed chains are a different size (narrower) as are single speed (wider) but 5-6-7-8 are all the same apart from old Campagnolo set-ups where the 5 speed used a SS size chain.

 

[Mobytek]

/\ wot e said.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

As above - any 5, 6, 7 or 8 speed chain will do. I'll suggest getting one by KMC as they are decent quality and come with a quick link that makes fitting easy.

Yes, it is as easy as cutting the new chain down to the same number of links as the existing one (assuming that the current one has the right number of course ) If you don't already have one, you will need a chain tool for cutting to length.

 

[woodbine]

OK, going with the KMC suggestion, will this X8-93 be a suitable match for the 6 speed SIS Uniglide? It quotes pin length at 7.3mm. Some of the Shimano chains say 7.4mm. I'm assuming that size doesn't matter in these two slightly differing dimensions?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CKDcr-2Nn8cCFYvHtAodXWEDEQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Yes, that will do the job nicely. The 0.1mm difference compared to the Shimano one won't affect it at all.

 

[woodbine]

Thanks Phil. Do you know if the links on those KMC chains are re-usable, or are they like the ones that Shimano use that are single use?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

KMC do different versions of the link, some of which aren't supposed to be reused and I can't see which one is included with that chain. I think it should be a reusable one but can't be sure.

In 8 speed the non reusable ones are maked RB according to their website: http://www.kmcchain.eu/products-connectors-missing_links

 

[woodbine]

Thanks Phil. Apologies, one last question - are the ordinary push-out pins in the chain re-usable? Can I push one almost out with my link tool, then push it back in again to rejoin the chain?

 

[lpretro1]

Best to use the quick link that will come with KMC chain - using the chain tool esp if you are unsure may cause damage and if incorrectly re-installed could case chain to break under load.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Thanks Phil. Apologies, one last question - are the ordinary push-out pins in the chain re-usable? Can I push one almost out with my link tool, then push it back in again to rejoin the chain?

You can rejoin a chain like that but it's generally not advised as current designs of chain have the ends of the pins peened over to fit more securely meaning that when the pin is pressed out this peening either breaks off or it opens the hole up slightly. Either way, that link will never be as reliable once broken & rejoined. If you're thinking about roadside repairs it would be better to have a couple of quick links with you.