Is 1/8" really needed or is it just fashion?

[Sore Thumb]

For me I feel it's just for fashion. I have had my fixed gear since 2007. I use 3/32" on a TA 48t chain ring and and 16t rear cog. I use a sram chain with a quick link (I have no problems using this quick link either). In 4 years I have only changed my rings and chains twice, and second time was just tonight.

I use the bike mainly for work, which is around 320 miles per month. I also use the bike for long rides at the weekends where I do quite a few steep hills which I'm sure puts quite a bit of strain on the chain. It's not broke yet. I can also get speeds of just over 30mph on the bike.

I've not had one problem at all with this set up in 4 years and with the added weight reduction of a 3/32" over a 1/8", I personally feel that the 1/8" is just for fashion............. but I must say that my bike does look good.

 

[3narf]

Yeah, it's just a fashion from BMX & da street kids.

Add lightness & simplicate, I say!

If 3/32 is strong enough for a 30lb tourer loaded up with gear it's good enough for me.

81" inch gear! Must be tough going in staffs. Show us a pic!

 

[GrasB]

Is running 1/4" chain necessary? No not in the slightest & for the most part people running 1/4" chain do so because it's 'cool'. You can use 10 or 11 sp chain if you really want to - let's face it these chains can handle power output in the kW range! However there are advantages to using 1/4" running gear, mostly it increases the life of the chain, chainrings & sprockets compared to narrower chain gauge, but also there's less sideways flex in the wider chains which make them less susceptible to dropping the chain.

 

[steviesch]

I wasn't thinking of making a fashion statement but.... - I have a 1/8 rear sprocket and a 3/32 chainring - do we think I will have any issues if I run a 1/8 chain? ......could be a major fashion faux pas as it will give me a 90 inch gear - apparently dayglo pink face and exploding kneecaps is not going to be very "in" this summer.

 

[GrasB]

just re-read my post WTF was I thinking putting 1/4"?

 

[MacB]

I wasn't thinking of making a fashion statement but.... - I have a 1/8 rear sprocket and a 3/32 chainring - do we think I will have any issues if I run a 1/8 chain? ......could be a major fashion faux pas as it will give me a 90 inch gear - apparently dayglo pink face and exploding kneecaps is not going to be very "in" this summer.

Shouldn't be a problem I used to do this with my SA 3 speed, 1/8 sprocket/chain and 3/32 chainring. But I switched to a 3/32 sprocket recently as I wanted to use the same chains on all my bikes and to have a power link on each. For hub gear or SS tension isn't as important as on fixed and I just let the stuff wear to extinction.

 

[Will1985]

I wasn't thinking of making a fashion statement but.... - I have a 1/8 rear sprocket and a 3/32 chainring - do we think I will have any issues if I run a 1/8 chain? ......could be a major fashion faux pas as it will give me a 90 inch gear - apparently dayglo pink face and exploding kneecaps is not going to be very "in" this summer.

It would be out of necessity for you - 3/32 chains don't work with 1/8 teeth (you may already know this).

Mixing and matching this way doesn't matter - it would only be noticed upon close inspection.

I'm not sure I would call 1/8 a fashion - most trackies use 1/8 and it is the NJS standard. One of my friends tried to directly swap his wheel for my disc at a track champs and jammed the chain when he spun it round - clearly not aware of the 1/8 sprocket (in)compatibility with 3/32 chains.

 

[itsbruce]

I'd agree with Will1985. Calling it a fasion or fad is a little pejorative; it's just a convention.

 

[e-rider]

1/8 is actually the original size for single speed/fixed bikes but has recently come back into fashion with the fixed culture that started up again from about 2002.

IMO 3/32" makes much more sense these days from a practical and performance point of view

Narrower 3/32" chains were first invented for geared bikes but are now not as narrow as 9, 10 or 11 speed chains.

I wonder when fixed sprockets will be made for use with 11 speed chains, or perhaps the internal 'gap' is the same anyway??

 

[Alembicbassman]

I took a 7sp chain off the MTB I am converting to SS, I also bought a new 1/8" chain.

The 1/8" chain looks wide compared to the 7sp chain.

Not sure whether to use the 7sp chain or 1/8", the 7sp chain isn't worn according to my chain measurer.

There seems to be a lot more lateral movement on the teeth with the 1/8", is this normal?

 

[fossyant]

If converting then, the 'upto' 8 speed chains/rings will be 3/32. A 1/8th chain will move about more. 9 speed and above are narrower

1/8th chains are less flexible laterally. As said it's a standard. If you are converting then why not use 3/32 ? If you've got a brand spanking fixed set up then use 1/8th - it's tougher too.