What chain on your MTB SS?

[NotSoBigBen]

When I moved my SS stuff from my 26" bike to my 29" bike the Track/BMX chain I was using was too short. As I was trying to build it as cheap as possible I decided to use an 'old' 9sp chain I had lying around .... fail

 

After 2 long days on the bike with all sorts of up and down (standing even) today the chain 'gave up the ghost', in fact it broke at the powerlink!

 

So decided to 'splash' out and get another track chain, so that's done and dusted and no way I'm gonna break that

 

Got me thinking though .... I use a 9sp 32 blade in the front and a SS kit at the back, is there a difference if you used some kind of dedicated SS blade i.e. you need a 'wider' chain?

 

Surely a new/good 9sp chain would work fine or are there 'bigger' forces at work and hence more susceptible to break?

 

Saw a cool Blackspire SS front blade today but 480 ZA ronds?

[Stretched@Birth]

I have 2 different chains, depending on the gear I'm using, one is a KNC track chain, the other a half link BMX chain I bought from CRC.

 

Also 'broke' a 9 speed chain at the power link, now I have a Park Tool chain tool, no more power links...

[Flippa]

I haven't broken a chain yet and I been using an old 9 speed chain. I've just changed to an 8 speed chain and no problems either, to date. I'm not convinced there is any benefit to using a SS specific chain.

 

I have on of those Blackspire chainrings and they are great.

[Thug]

I'm using a single speed YBN chain on a Blackspire 32 tooth chainring with a 17 tooth Endless cog.

 

No problems in the slightest.

[RexFuzzle]

Nothing fancy here. A normal 9 speed chain and standard cogs. As far as I know the chain should last longer as you aren't changing gear and so on all the time and I find it odd that it broke.

I have been looking at a pretty coloured BMX chain from CRC but not sure if it would work, does a normal chainring not get in the way or something funny?

[Cycho]

I found the best to use is a "narrow" singlespeed halflink (1/2x3/32) - its narrower than a normal BMX chain, but more reliable than 9sp and the halflink means you are more likely to get your chain the right length! Take this up the World cup climbs with a 32 x 18 gearing on a 26" and not had hassles with slipping or snapping.

[TYGA]

_{I've broken a 9 speed chain on my SS...also at the powerlink. Not so "power" as it turns out.}

 

_{I've used a halflink off CRC which is completely bulletproof, looks the business and helps with getting the length right but I've been reading on the net that halflinks are more prone to wearing / "stretching" (whatever you do don't tell anyone I called it that!) than a normal link chain ... I'd love to hear some debate from our resident mythbusters on that.}

 

_{Currently running a proper SS chain...only because it was on special though any 8 speed or BMX chain should do the trick just fine.}

 

_{A mate of mine had huge issues dropping the chain on his SS with SS specific cog and chainring, when he switched from 9 speed chain to wider halflink the problem stopped. Not everyone has this issue but in his case it sorted the problem out.}

[divernick]

I use a cheapo BMX chain co it's cheap, strong and cos my chainring needs a 1/8" chain. (Blackspire Monoveloce)

 

Never had any issues - lube and ride.

 

Just make sure your chainline is as straight as possible....

[NotSoBigBen]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

 

@RexFuzzle - it was a VERY old chain/powerlink so I guess that may have been why it broke, clearly not because of how hard I was pedalling

[Cyclocross]

For what it's worth, my experiences are:

 

1) I've recently fitted a Blackspire Monoveloce too (33t), (replacing a Truvative ss crank/ring) mated to 17t Gusset cog and 7spd Wipperman chain, and have been rocking all Giba climbs and recent Hammersdale mtb race climbs with no problem regarding slipping with either. (I did have a problem with slipping when I first built up my newer ss pony but this was due it turns out, to the chain being too long (using Fireye spring loaded tensioner) and chain wasn't hooking enough teeth on the rear cog). Blackspire rings are cheaper than Raceface and others due to slightly less machining of the ring but best value single ring in my opinion, plus they do a wider size range (incl.33t) which several other manufacturers do not.

 

2) I use an 7spd chain as it's strong but not as heavy as a dedicated single speed or bmx chain, and it is not designed to have as much sideways flex as for example a 9speed. Plus you are not paying for the work required to the outer links of a 9spd chain to assist it to change cogs/rings, so it's cheap (under R100 for full nickle coat from CRC) and has a solid connecting link. Unless you are doing a lot of dirt jump riding or bmx park style, I don't think the extra weight of a BMX chain is warranted.

 

3) Regarding "stretching" of halflink chains, I read somewhere that it is possible on these due to the s-bend in each link straightening under pressure over time, so maybe this is one instance where the word can be used without receiving abuse.