Which chain?

[Sara_H]

My OH's mountain bike needs a new chain. It's a 9 speed. I'd like to buy a chain with a quick link already installed if this is possible?

Any recomendations?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Any recomendations?

KMC are the only 3 letters you need to know

 

[Sara_H]

KMC are the only 3 letters you need to know

How do I know how many links I need, they seem to come supplied with different numbers.

I don't have to go and count them do I?

 

[smokeysmoo]

How do I know how many links I need?

TBH whenever I need a chain I just buy the relevant KMC X chain, THIS one in my case for a road bike, and I've never had a chain come up short.

I suppose other than buying the right speed chain, (and it's a 9 speed I linked to in post #2, then counting links is the only way to be 100% sure before hitting the go button, but I never have done TBH.

In fact every chain I've ever fitted has had to be shortened, and that goes for my MTB days of old as well.

 

[simon.r]

Unless you're running a bizarrely large chain ring a standard length chain (114 links?) will be fine and, as pointed out already, will probably need shortening slightly.

Lay the new and old chains side by side (assuming the old one's the right length) and shorten the new one to match.

 

[Sara_H]

Than you, placed an order with Ribble.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Than you, placed an order with Ribble.

Sara, when you place the chain side by side make sure the links align, not only the length matches, as the old chain will have stretched.
Are you ok with shortening it?
If not, watch a few you tube videos, it's dead easy.
Before operating on the new chain, experiment with the chain tool and the quick link on the old chain - after measuring, of course.
Good luck and well done for attempting the job!

 

[Sara_H]

Sara, when you place the chain side by side make sure the links align, not only the length matches, as the old chain will have stretched.
Are you ok with shortening it?
If not, watch a few you tube videos, it's dead easy.
Before operating on the new chain, experiment with the chain tool and the quick link on the old chain - after measuring, of course.
Good luck and well done for attempting the job!

We did chains on my bike maintenance course Have been keen to have an opportunity to change a chain as it was my favorite bit of the course - its a bit like doing magic!

 

[Pat "5mph"]

We did chains on my bike maintenance course Have been keen to have an opportunity to change a chain as it was my favorite bit of the course - its a bit like doing magic!

Great!
Keep a bit of the old chain, to make your own chain whip for removing cassettes.
Wannabe bike mechanics is us

 

[Sara_H]

Great!
Keep a bit of the old chain, to make your own chain whip for removing cassettes.
Wannabe bike mechanics is us

No chance, I'm going to make it in to jewelry and sell it on Etsy.