Chain.

[Gooby]

I need a new chain (Again). I am getting a little bored replacing chains. I ride all mountain / XC and the rest of the chainset aer XTR and race face.
I have tried hollowtec but that lasted 1 ride...
Do I keep on with expensive SRAM chains (or is there another decent manufacturer?) or do I look at cheap chains, do they work?


oh, it has to be repairable trailside with a quick link etc.

[Parrot of Doom]

Cheap steel chain, and steel rings.

Clean it thoroughly after each ride and it'll last hundreds of miles through winter.

[mackie1]

Or go all bling and get a titanium nitride coated chain. Don't know if they are actually any good but the tech/shiny factor is good.

[Gooby]

Parrot of Doom said:

Cheap steel chain, and steel rings.

Clean it thoroughly after each ride and it'll last hundreds of miles through winter.

Will gear change be compromised?
My local rides eats bikes - it halves the lifespan of any component, last chain has lasted 5 months!

[Parrot of Doom]

No, there's no real difference in my experience. Steel components last a hell of a lot longer than alloy components, particularly through English mud.

Save the nice stuff for the dry days. BTW, five months, if you're measuring with a chain tool, isn't bad through mud.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Tuesday 29th September 12:10

[Gooby]

Parrot of Doom said:

No, there's no real difference in my experience. Steel components last a hell of a lot longer than alloy components, particularly through English mud.

Save the nice stuff for the dry days. BTW, five months, if you're measuring with a chain tool, isn't bad through mud.

Edited by Parrot of Doom on Tuesday 29th September 12:10

If it was mud then ok but it is sea sand, grit and at best mud. I actually have not checked with a chain tool. I am hopefully going to Afan this weekend so I gave the chain a good clean. Since then it keeps on jumping on the middle chainring when any load is applied.

[Parrot of Doom]

Get a chain tool - get a chain tool - get a chain tool!

They're cheap, and very easy to use. The benefit is that you can measure your chain, see when its becoming too worn, and replace it before it begins to damage your [more expensive] chainrings, jockey wheels, and sprocket.

[Gooby]

Parrot of Doom said:

Get a chain tool - get a chain tool - get a chain tool!

They're cheap, and very easy to use. The benefit is that you can measure your chain, see when its becoming too worn, and replace it before it begins to damage your [more expensive] chainrings, jockey wheels, and sprocket.

I will, up to now my LBS see the bike so often that they check it for me.

So back on topic - what do I replace my SRAM cross stamped chain with?

[snotrag]

Sram do a PC 59, 79, 89.

The 59 works fine for abouy £15.

Cheaper than that, KMC do one for £9.

They work fine.

Chains wear. It sucks. But it cant be helped.

Try buying two and alternating every week. Can help spread the wear on the rings.

[Gooby]

Went to take chain off and the middle ring looks like it has been held for questioning by the Israel armed forces.

Hmm, have to pick one up tomorrow...

[AndrewM]

Hey Goobs - are you riding IN the sea these days?

I'm up for a bit of gentle off roading as my good bike is a roadie and my off road bike has no suspension and is pretty old - that is if you do any gentle stuff.

How's fatherhood treating you?

Cheers
A

[Parrot of Doom]

Gooby said:

Went to take chain off and the middle ring looks like it has been held for questioning by the Israel armed forces.

Hmm, have to pick one up tomorrow...

Get a cheap steel Deore replacement. You won't notice the difference in weight. You will notice the difference in wear.

[Gooby]

Parrot of Doom said:

Gooby said:

Went to take chain off and the middle ring looks like it has been held for questioning by the Israel armed forces.

Hmm, have to pick one up tomorrow...

Get a cheap steel Deore replacement. You won't notice the difference in weight. You will notice the difference in wear.

It is a Race face Deus XC thingy so the chain rings are far cheaper than XTR, I dont think Deore will fit?