Unusual Looking Bike Chain
11-08-18, 10:07 AM
#1
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Unusual Looking Bike Chain
I think I noticed an unusual looking chain on someone's bike this morning. Unfortunately I didn't photograph it.
The bike was an All City fixed gear and the chain looked kind of reptilian. I hope I wasn't seeing things that weren't there
).
The bike was an All City fixed gear and the chain looked kind of reptilian. I hope I wasn't seeing things that weren't there
).
11-08-18, 10:21 AM
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I suspect what you saw is a chain made of half links, also called a pintle chain in industry. The idea is to be able to size the chain by the 1/2". A current BMX and single speed conversion craze. Andy
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AndrewRStewart
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11-08-18, 10:35 AM
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Interesting. Thanks for the info. I hadn't known about those. And they too look lizardy, but I'm not sure that's what I saw this morning.
I recall the links seemed to be full length but more curvy and rounded, maybe a little spirally at the ends.
11-08-18, 07:27 PM
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Using a full half link chain is just a fashion statement; there's no functional advantage to all the links being half-links that you can't get with a single half-link.
11-09-18, 12:01 PM
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Maybe a flexible chain cover? Would not work on a derailleur chain but on a fixie or SS it would. Perhaps they're even making novelty ones now.
11-09-18, 02:15 PM
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Interesting, I was not aware of these either, it didn't look like that though, it looked like a chain, just not a traditionally shaped one, the links looked a bit different.
11-09-18, 07:22 PM
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11-09-18, 10:29 PM
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Some of the KMC chains have a moderately prominent X shape on their side plates.
Odd,
It appears as if KMC also has a Kool Knight half-link chain made up of half links that have the appearance of being closed on top.
I am a bit surprised the plates are made out of two pieces, rather than a single piece. It should be possible to fabricate, but probably would need a lot of specialized equipment.
Single speed shouldn't need much side to side flex, but perhaps that is an issue.
Odd,
It appears as if KMC also has a Kool Knight half-link chain made up of half links that have the appearance of being closed on top.
I am a bit surprised the plates are made out of two pieces, rather than a single piece. It should be possible to fabricate, but probably would need a lot of specialized equipment.
Single speed shouldn't need much side to side flex, but perhaps that is an issue.
Last edited by CliffordK; 11-09-18 at 10:32 PM.
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