Can I take one bike chain off one bike and put it on another?
10-01-17, 09:21 AM
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Can I take one bike chain off one bike and put it on another?
I have a pure fix bike with a Z chain KMC, and a Schwinn ranger. I want to take off the pure fix chain and put it onto the Schwinn ranger 6/7 speed, whcih I am trying to operate as a one speed bike. I have no derailleur on the ranger. I was going to have it set up as middle to middle on the ranger. Middle in the front and 3rd or 4th in the back. The problem is I don't know if the pure fix chain will be the right length and width for the ranger, don't have the measurement tools. Also I don't see the quick link on the pure fix. Not sure how to take the chain off. I have a chain tool though. Can I use the chain tool to take out one of the chain bolts and then place that chain on the ranger and pop that chain bolt back in with the chain tool?
Thank you
Thank you
10-01-17, 09:35 AM
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Leave the chain on the first bike, buy a new chain for the second bike, otherwise.........you will be buying 2 chains.
10-01-17, 09:44 AM
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Yes you can when removing the pin on the chain you want to back the pin out just enough to separate the chain makes it easy to reassemble. It can be a pain to get the pin back in if it's all the way out. Also a good time to shorten it if needed
10-01-17, 10:44 AM
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the OP has already been dealing with false shifts, and the wider FIXIE chain will increase that problem.
Honda_3 ... go get a new chain for a 6-7-8 Speed bike... have a good bike mechanic help you install it onto the Ranger, ok?
I still think you should repair the Ranger correctly with whatever parts it needs, not turn it into a single speed bike.... USED derailleurs cost about 10 dollars... cables cost about 3 dollars... a chain to replace the one you shortened costs more... if you are not capable of doing the repair yourself, seek assistance.... any long term bicyclist should be able to help you.
And there is a large chance that the FIXIE chain will also be too short... at least count the links before you remove it for no reason... then count the links on the chain that you ruined trying to repair your Ranger.
Last edited by maddog34; 10-01-17 at 10:49 AM.
10-01-17, 10:55 AM
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No, that "FIX" chain is TOO WIDE to use on the Schwinn Ranger sprockets.
the OP has already been dealing with false shifts, and the wider FIXIE chain will increase that problem.
Honda_3 ... go get a new chain for a 6-7-8 Speed bike... have a good bike mechanic help you install it onto the Ranger, ok?
I still think you should repair the Ranger correctly with whatever parts it needs, not turn it into a single speed bike.... USED derailleurs cost about 10 dollars... cables cost about 3 dollars... a chain to replace the one you shortened costs more... if you are not capable of doing the repair yourself, seek assistance.... any long term bicyclist should be able to help you.
And there is a large chance that the FIXIE chain will also be too short... at least count the links before you remove it for no reason... then count the links on the chain that you ruined trying to repair your Ranger.
the OP has already been dealing with false shifts, and the wider FIXIE chain will increase that problem.
Honda_3 ... go get a new chain for a 6-7-8 Speed bike... have a good bike mechanic help you install it onto the Ranger, ok?
I still think you should repair the Ranger correctly with whatever parts it needs, not turn it into a single speed bike.... USED derailleurs cost about 10 dollars... cables cost about 3 dollars... a chain to replace the one you shortened costs more... if you are not capable of doing the repair yourself, seek assistance.... any long term bicyclist should be able to help you.
And there is a large chance that the FIXIE chain will also be too short... at least count the links before you remove it for no reason... then count the links on the chain that you ruined trying to repair your Ranger.
10-01-17, 11:01 AM
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Might work, but I doubt it. The odds of a chain from one single speed bike being exactly the right length to fit another single speed bike are pretty long.
Measure from the centerline of the crank to the centerline of the rear cog. If those measurements are exactly the same, count the number of teeth on both cranksets and both rear cogs. If everything is equal, and the chain width is the same, you're in!
Measure from the centerline of the crank to the centerline of the rear cog. If those measurements are exactly the same, count the number of teeth on both cranksets and both rear cogs. If everything is equal, and the chain width is the same, you're in!
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Last edited by Retro Grouch; 10-01-17 at 11:05 AM.
10-01-17, 11:52 AM
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Might work, but I doubt it. The odds of a chain from one single speed bike being exactly the right length to fit another single speed bike are pretty long.
Measure from the centerline of the crank to the centerline of the rear cog. If those measurements are exactly the same, count the number of teeth on both cranksets and both rear cogs. If everything is equal, and the chain width is the same, you're in!
Measure from the centerline of the crank to the centerline of the rear cog. If those measurements are exactly the same, count the number of teeth on both cranksets and both rear cogs. If everything is equal, and the chain width is the same, you're in!
10-01-17, 02:01 PM
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If the chain on the Pure Fix is 1/8" wide, as many chains on single speed/fixed gear bikes are, it can work on cogs and chainrings designed for 3/32" wide chain. If there is more than one cog on the back, there may not be enough space between the cogs for the wider chain to fully seat. A single-cog conversion cassette kit or single freewheel would address this issue, or just use the 3/32" chain that's currently on the Schwinn. As Retro Grouch notes, it's likely that the chain will need to be shortened to work with a single gear.
10-01-17, 03:25 PM
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If the chain on the Pure Fix is 1/8" wide, as many chains on single speed/fixed gear bikes are, it can work on cogs and chainrings designed for 3/32" wide chain. If there is more than one cog on the back, there may not be enough space between the cogs for the wider chain to fully seat. A single-cog conversion cassette kit or single freewheel would address this issue, or just use the 3/32" chain that's currently on the Schwinn. As Retro Grouch notes, it's likely that the chain will need to be shortened to work with a single gear.
IF he DIDN'T dispose of that removed chain section, he could simply add a portion of that section back into the chain with a Quick link/missing link master link.
he continues to want to use the existing 7 speed freewheel, so a 1/8" chain will not work, it will false shift on bumps or when tossing the bike side to side while climbing/accelerating.
this is his second thread on the chain issue..... had the chain mounted on the small front, and 4th gear, which he mistakenly call the 3rd gear.... cross chaining plus bumps/swinging lead to a sudden shift to a larger rear gear, and severe tightness of the chain. He is now attempting to mount the chain onto the middle/4th, since that will be the best chain line for SS'ing a multi geared MTB.
Last edited by maddog34; 10-01-17 at 03:28 PM.
