‘Best’ single speed 1/2” x 1/8” chain……?

[sevenfourate]

I’ve been using KMC Z1 wide chains on my BMX’s:

https://ebay.us/m/zwWOzt

But the last two chains; seem to have quite severe tight / loose spots. And they sounds ‘tinny’ compared to how I remember a few years ago……..

Which means setting chain tension / stopping chain slap on the rear-stays is ‘difficult’ on micro gearing.

What’s a decent (Silver ideally) chain right out the packet. That will likely have no tight spots. And wear well without excessive stretching ?

 

[Sharky]

My understanding is that tight/loose points are not due to the chain, but slight imperfections in the chainring.
The chain's tightness needs to be set at the tight point. If you set the chain at the slack point, you'll possibly get a grinding noise as it goes through the tight spot.

 

[sevenfourate]

My understanding is that tight/loose points are not due to the chain, but slight imperfections in the chainring.
The chain's tightness needs to be set at the tight point. If you set the chain at the slack point, you'll possibly get a grinding noise as it goes through the tight spot.

Yup. Tension set at tight spot of course.

With micro gearing and the chain running so close to rear stays - doesn't take much excess slack to get into constant / potential frame rub.

INTERESTING on the issue may be sprocket not chain. Bike is freshly built. Chain is brand new from reputable source. Sprocket is likely a mediocre brand / quality. That I’ve been debating upgrading. So I think I’ll start there…..

Appreciate that. Helpful 🙏

 

[sevenfourate]

My understanding is that tight/loose points are not due to the chain, but slight imperfections in the chainring.
The chain's tightness needs to be set at the tight point. If you set the chain at the slack point, you'll possibly get a grinding noise as it goes through the tight spot.

CNC chainring didn’t help. Maybe very slightly. Sprocket coming off was pretty much the last cheap part of the build. So i’m not disappointed per-se. Gotta love some added bling 🤷‍♂️

On micro gearing…..

……..and nothing to tension the chain in use - like a geared bike with derailleurs; and such a short and tightish chain-line (So as to not rub on the rear stays): it’s all very marginal.

I’m now wondering if the whole rear of the frame is slightly askew - and in trying to get the rear wheel central in the stays etc to look right - I’m now fractionally off on the axle being at 90 degrees to the front sprocket. So that the rear sprocket is now running slightly elliptically (?) to the drive line……