Seb1987

So I recently put a new chain on my bike. To be specific I switched from a KMC Z8.3 chain to a KMC X8. My bike has 3 chainrings with an 8 speed cassette. When adding the new chain, straight out the box without cutting it, I realized it was 1 chain link shorter than my old chain. At first I thought it was a manufactering error but I counted the links and found 114 links as it says on the box. My old chain didn't seem wrongly installed either. So I added the new,1 link shorter chain, to my bike, the rear derailleur is a little little bit lower than before, I went for a 30km ride and it didn't feel like anything was off. The chain itself doesn't feel too tight nor loose. So is it really bad to ride with a chain that is 1 link shorter than before? What am I not seeing?

Kapusta

Chains are generally longer than needed. You shorten it to fit your setup. Could be the last chain was one link longer out of the box and never got shortened.

Google “big/big plus one” method of determining chain length. That will let you know what the shortest length you can go with is. If you new chain can go “big/big plus one” you are fine. If not DO NOT use it.

Unless you have some really long chain-stays, almost any new chain should be long enough.

Iride01 

What are you not seeing? Well you aren't seeing what can happen when it's way too short. You apparently just haven't gotten to that point yet. If you truly want to see then take several more links out of it. Like many things, it's not necessarily a disaster just because you are not adhering perfectly to rules, procedures and formulas.

But you did say and that might be an indication of a chain that is not ideal in length. But it might just be other stuff too.

Crankycrank

Pics of your bike with the chain in the smallest ring/smallest cog and also chain in biggest ring/biggest cog can help us know if your chain is an OK length.

Bill Kapaun

When in the BIG:BIG ring/cog, you want at least 1" and less than 2" "slack".
This is my in situ measurement technique.

trailangel

The KMC chains I buy say 116 links on the box.

Moe Zhoost

One inch shorter should not make much difference and actually may be better for your set up. If your RD cage is still winding up the chain when in Big-Big you're good to ride. Only if the cage is stretched out like shown in the photo below is your chain too short.

biketrail

I recently purchased a KMC X8 chain manufactured 9/2020 and its length was “116 links”

urbanknight

Chains are sold in different lengths and 114 is on the shorter end of that range (I think 116 is more common). As mentioned above, it might be fine as long as it doesn't over extend the RD cage in the big/big combo (which you shouldn't be using anyway).

Bigbus

A couple things I didn't quite grasp here is that you didn't mention how many links your old chain had, unless your indicating that it's 115. Or are you indicating 116, since chains are usually even numbers of links. A new chain laying next to an old chain is always shorter, even though they may be the same number of links. And you mention that your rear derailleur is lower with the new chain, that would indicate a longer chain has been installed, not a shorter one.
I'm not trying to be difficult, and maybe I'm just having an off day, but like previous posters mentioned, if it works on big to big sprockets without pulling the derailleur up into the mix, you're good to go. Unless it cross chains, but that's another mess for another day.

DaveSSS 

There is no need to count links. Lay the chain out on a table and measure the length, including the quick link. A 57 inch chain has 114 links, since the pitch is 0.5 inch.

JohnDThompson 

I just have a couple nails next to each other on the wall. Hang the old chain on one, the new chain on the other, and compare length.

Bigbus

Until they wear.

DaveSSS 

Then you have to smart enough to know that small amounts of extra length, beyond an even number of inches is wear.

Iride01 

And wear on a bike chain is unlikely to grow it enough to get to the next pin on the new chain when side by side.

Trakhak

As the last few posters noted, an extensively worn chain of the same number of links as a new chain can appear to be (more or less) one link longer than the new chain. Not necessarily something everyone figures out the first time replacing a chain.

DaveSSS 

Chains must always have an even number of links, or they can't be joined. 1% wear would make the chain about a 1 link or 1/2 inch longer, but if you cut the new chain to that length, the ends couldn't be joined. Then you'll feel really stupid.

DaveSSS 

Deleted.