What chain?? Recommendations please

[Ball]

Hi all,

I need some recommendations for a decent chain for my Focus road bike. It runs all Shimano 105 stuff, so I've been buying 105 chains since I've had it. But I've had 3 chains snap in the last couple of months and they're getting expensive to replace!

I'm not sure exactly why they keep snapping. A couple may have been because of when I removed the chain not using the power links (they always seem impossible to remove!!) - the link I removed may have been weakened perhaps? One of the chains simply snapped after a few weeks though!

So I need a light, but durable and reliable chain that doesn't cost too much. Any suggestions?

Cheers,

Tom

 

[MrJamie]

I dont know much about road bikes, but id go with something like http://www.highonbikes.com/kmc-x10-93-silver-grey-10-speed-chain.html assuming thats even the right speed

Im sure someone can comment if thats a good suggestion soon enough

 

[Ball]

Sorry ye, 10 speed is right. What does it mean by 'complete with missing link'? Have you used this chain before?

 

[slowmotion]

Another vote for KMC. The quick links (aka missing links) that come with the chains are really good too.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

KMC - they're excellent chains.

A missing link is the link that enables you to take off the chain to clean and to begin with allows you to link the chain together. Most people prefer the KMC because they're easier - SRAM missing links are good but their 10 speed chains bought complete have a powerlock which means they are not designed to be taken off and are thus, IMO, a waste of time until ironically they break, meaning you can put on a missing link which is a powerlink.

 

[slowmotion]

Sorry ye, 10 speed is right. What does it mean by 'complete with missing link'? Have you used this chain before?

This....
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=16793&category=59

 

[MrJamie]

Sorry ye, 10 speed is right. What does it mean by 'complete with missing link'? Have you used this chain before?

Theyre the KMC version of powerlinks afaik, they seem easy enough to get on and off too

 

[Ball]

Ah ok ye, I've never heard them called missing links before. KMC it is then Thanks for the recommendations all. I'll let you know how long it lasts. Maybe it's actually just that I have too much power and should be riding track....

Or not

 

[Monsieur Remings]

And Ball, get into the habit of taking spare links with you when you ride and if the chain snaps then you've the ability to get back home. It's standard practise to take one along on a ride, along with spare tubes etc and if a link has gone to replace it and carry on using the chain until it's properly worn.

 

[Ball]

And Ball, get into the habit of taking spare links with you when you ride and if the chain snaps then you've the ability to get back home. It's standard practise to take one along on a ride, along with spare tubes etc and if a link has gone to replace it and carry on using the chain until it's properly worn.

Already do ;-) Had to do a repair last Sunday on the club run.

So none of my LBSs had KMC chains in stock! Instead, I settled for a SRAM, and bought a couple of pairs of KMC missing links to replace the SRAM power links. Hopefully the SRAM chain will hold out, and with the KMC link, the chain is now removable without having to take any pins out.

 

[smokeysmoo]

SRAM is a good second choice seeing as you couldn't get KMC, just happy you didn't come back and say you'd bought a Shimano chain.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Already do ;-) Had to do a repair last Sunday on the club run.

So none of my LBSs had KMC chains in stock! Instead, I settled for a SRAM, and bought a couple of pairs of KMC missing links to replace the SRAM power links. Hopefully the SRAM chain will hold out, and with the KMC link, the chain is now removable without having to take any pins out.

Sorry fella, hope that didn't come across the wrong way...

 

[womblechops]

I have a new SRAM chain (8 speed) which has come with what I think is a Power link. For the life of me I can get the links through the plates, but they simply will not move apart. I have tried puting pressure on the middle fo the plates when pulling, but to no avail.

Any thoughts as to what I am doing wrong?

 

[lejogger]

I have a new SRAM chain (8 speed) which has come with what I think is a Power link. For the life of me I can get the links through the plates, but they simply will not move apart. I have tried puting pressure on the middle fo the plates when pulling, but to no avail.

Any thoughts as to what I am doing wrong?

Some power links / missing links are an absolute bugger to get off... some are easy as pie. You can buy a special tool if you've got an especially stiff one (oooh errr)... but it's yet more pennies to spend on 'stuff for the bike'!

 

[Ball]

Sorry fella, hope that didn't come across the wrong way...

Not at all