First noob question from me !!
- Thread starter NealM
- Start date
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RWright
Guru
- Location
- North Carolina
chains are sized by how many speeds the gears are, the length depends on the bike.
On the rear cassette. EDIT
On the rear cassette. EDIT
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
As above, it goes on the number of gears on the rear cluster. If the bike is a BSO you'll almost certainly need a chain suitable for 5 to 8 speed systems. I'd recommend a KMC chain as they are very reliable, quite cheap and come with a quick link that makes joining easy.
To get the length right, wrap the chain round the biggest chain ring and sprocket, without going through the derailleur, and add 2 links (including the quick link) to where they meet.
To get the length right, wrap the chain round the biggest chain ring and sprocket, without going through the derailleur, and add 2 links (including the quick link) to where they meet.
- Location
- Glasgow
Count how many "sprockets" you have in the back wheel. could be 5 (not likely, only me left with 5 
) 6, 7, 8. This will do up until 8 speeds.
Those KMC chains come with a quick link, to allow you to take the chain off for cleaning.
To take the old chain off, you need a chain tool.
The new chain will probably need to be shortened, again using the tool, use the old chain to give you the correct length.
Watch a couple of you tube videos first to give you an idea of how to do the job, it's quite easy.
If you planning to buy online, there are several links to cycle shops on top of this page.
Go for it, report back success!
) 6, 7, 8. This will do up until 8 speeds.Those KMC chains come with a quick link, to allow you to take the chain off for cleaning.
To take the old chain off, you need a chain tool.
The new chain will probably need to be shortened, again using the tool, use the old chain to give you the correct length.
Watch a couple of you tube videos first to give you an idea of how to do the job, it's quite easy.
If you planning to buy online, there are several links to cycle shops on top of this page.
Go for it, report back success!
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Oh, forgot to ask - do you have a chain tool? You'll need one something like this to break the old chain and to cut the new one to length.
Edit: @Pat "5mph" beat me to it.
Edit: @Pat "5mph" beat me to it.
- Location
- Glasgow
You are the master, me just your unworthy apprentice
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
If you use the old chain to judge the length, count the number of links, don't measure the length. Chains get longer as they wear (due to the play that develops in the joints) and the difference in length between a new chain and a worn out one is more than you might expect.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
OK - Thanks for all of the above info . . . So have I understood correctly that all chains have the same sized links and it is just a question of getting the overall length right by adding or removing links ? ?
@Pat "5mph" NO mine is a BSO . . only 5 gears at the back ! ! !
. . Thanks for the link . .I'll let you know how I get on . .
Oh and yes by some unknown miracle I have a chain tool . . Actually it's a double miracle. .
1. It's a miracle I had one
2. It's a miracle I was able to find it
@Pat "5mph" NO mine is a BSO . . only 5 gears at the back ! ! !
. . Thanks for the link . .I'll let you know how I get on . .Oh and yes by some unknown miracle I have a chain tool . . Actually it's a double miracle. .
1. It's a miracle I had one
2. It's a miracle I was able to find it
RWright
Guru
- Location
- North Carolina
Hopefully the chain will be long enough, you can count the links if necessary. Easiest way is probably to save the old chain when you take it off and make the new one the same length. I think the size you are looking for is 1/2 x 3/32 inch. 116 Links seems to be a standard length. Unless your bike has an exceptionally long length from rear cogs to the pedals I would think that length would be ok.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
All chains have the same length links (1/2 inch) but it is the width which differs.
Single speed (1/8 inch) chains are widest and intended for single speed or hub gears only.
5 to 8 speed gear systems use the same width chains (3/32 inch as @RWright says) so a chain to fit any of these will fit your bike.
9 speed is slightly narrower but would still work (but more expensive)
10 and 11 speed are narrower still and will only fit their respective cassettes.
Yes about the length. The chain will come longer than you need (116 links) and will need shortening to suit the bike.
Oh and yes by some unknown miracle I have a chain tool . . Actually it's a double miracle. .
1. It's a miracle I had one
2. It's a miracle I was able to find it
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
If you mean the same length of link, yes. Width varies though depending on the speed of the chainset. The easiest way to determine the length needed, assuming you had no problems with the old one, is to compare to the previous chain. Removing links is easy but adding can create a weekness in your chain and should be avoided.
I'd 2nd (3rd or 4th
) the reccomendation for a KMC chain as their quick link is more simple than having to join a chain (SRAM & Wipperman also do a quicklink system).Worth noting a new chain may not bed correctly with your existing rear cogs and you may need a new cassette/freewheel as well.
Brilliant . . many thanks to everyone for their advice..
Looks like a KMC chain is going to be the one then .
Thanks to @Rickshaw Phil for confirming that the chain link lengths are the same and that it's just the width that varies . . . Which I guess makes sense when you think about how narrow a chain would need to be to fit around a 9 or 10 gear/cog cassette ! !!
Looks like a KMC chain is going to be the one then .
Thanks to @Rickshaw Phil for confirming that the chain link lengths are the same and that it's just the width that varies . . . Which I guess makes sense when you think about how narrow a chain would need to be to fit around a 9 or 10 gear/cog cassette ! !!
