New Chain?

[SWSteve]

I am worried about chain wear, a wear checker is n the post to my house...however if it work I would want to change the chain that day/week.

Is there anything I need to look out for? 8spd triple, the chain it currently has is a KMC Z51, a chain I could buy again for a fiver seemingly, would it be worth buying a more expensive chain? And if so, which one?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Would it be worth buying a more expensive chain?

Nope, stick to KMC, best chains you can buy IMO.

FWIW I won't use anything else these days.

 

[SWSteve]

So should I get the same z51 chain, or look at other 8spd chains from KMC?

 

[smokeysmoo]

So should I get the same z51 chain, or look at other 8spd chains from KMC?

No idea TBH. How many miles has your old one done? Are you happy with it, has it ever let you down, etc, etc, etc, etc...................

If you've been happy with the Z51 then stick with it, but if you see a KMC bargain on a different version go for that instead.

IMO as long as it says KMC on it then it will be a quality value for money chain

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Five quid is a bargain. I just get the cheapest KMC 9 speed that I can, just under £10 delivered. I have a feeling that with the better 9 speed ones you are paying for the colour of it, as the cheapest one is grey. The more expensive KMC X9-93 is half silver and half grey. Maybe the same with yours for the ones a few quid more etc. I only got about 1,000 miles from my last chain on my commuting hybrid and I clean the chain quite a bit but just use cheapo wilkinsons oil. Whether a better lube would make a difference I am not sure, probably worth a try,

 

[Davidc]

I've used KMC, SRAM, and Shimano.

All work fine, KMC seem to give most miles per ££.

Latest buy KMC X8-93 at about £10 each. past experience is that they last 1 1/2 times as long as similarly priced from other makers.

 

[SWSteve]

No idea TBH. How many miles has your old one done? Are you happy with it, has it ever let you down, etc, etc, etc, etc...................

If you've been happy with the Z51 then stick with it, but if you see a KMC bargain on a different version go for that instead.

IMO as long as it says KMC on it then it will be a quality value for money chain

2200 at least, it has started jumping in the last 250 miles (2 weeks)

 

[boybiker]

Just get another 8 speed kmc chain and make sure it comes with a quick link. I think all KMC chains come with a quick link anyway.

Have you got a chain breaker tool as you will need this to get the old chain off unless it has a quick link in it. You will also need it to shorten the new chain to the length that you need.

 

[MrJamie]

I swapped mine for http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/KMC-X8-X899-8spd-Chain/KMCACHAI275 I wont argue its much better, but at a discounted price you might aswell get the nice one

 

[andrew_s]

make sure it comes with a quick link. I think all KMC chains come with a quick link anyway.

The normal retail boxed chains all come with a link, but some people sell cheap OEM chains in plastic bags that may not.

 

[gbb]

IME, most chains are much of a muchness mileage wise. Ive had (10 speed mind) KMC, shimano, Sram and campag chains..they all last about the same

 

[jazzkat]

Most chains do seem pretty much the same but the ease of use of the kmc quick link (or whatever it's called!) is the decider for me. KMC chain always seems cheaper as well - double whammy!
I'd just go for the cheapest chain and clean it a lot, which is easier with the kmc link anyway.

Aren't those chain checker things notoriously inaccurate? I always measure a foot of chain pin to pin with a steel rule - sheldon stylee!
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html
go to the bottom of the link.

 

[Davidc]

Aren't those chain checker things notoriously inaccurate? I always measure a foot of chain pin to pin with a steel rule - sheldon stylee!
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html
go to the bottom of the link.

They're good if you use them properly (at least the better ones like Park Tools are). Agreement with the foot of chain measurement happens (or did when I tried it) with measurement of the top of the chain, wheel on the ground, foot on the pedal to keep the chain tight.

 

[Leaway2]

Just change it. Its done its job. £6.40 is the cheapest on Ebay. You will probably need to change the freewheel/cassette though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-KMC-Z...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item417585361f