dellwilson

I'm getting my son's MTB back into shape to take away to college. It is a 1991 Giant Yukon with a 21-speed Shimano Alivio drivetrain. I need to replace the chain. Can someone recommend one or just tell me what to look for?

Thanks

powers2b

Just buy any seven speed chain.
You will probably need a chain tool to adjust the length.
Enjoy

MacCruiskeen

That's what I have on my bike and I just replaced the original Shimano chain with an Sram 8-speed chain, and it works fine.

LesterOfPuppets

I'd roll with a Sram 850.

DieselDan

+1

dellwilson

Thanks for all the responses. It's gonna be a good project for me and my son to get this bike looking and working good for school this fall.

bkaapcke

Count the links on your chain first. SRAM and many Shimano chains have 114 links. Shimano also makes a 116 link 7 speed chain. Once you know which you have, the LBS can get you the right one. bk

DX-MAN

Pretty much "any" 5-6-7-8 speed chain, they're interchangeable... and indistinguishable from each other.

ffoxy99

I'm about to replace a rusted chain on a Shimano Alivio equipped 7 speed (21 speed) bicycle.

I counted the links. There are 106.

Most of the chains available online are 112/114/116 links.

Is the 106L chain unusual or, perhaps, an incorrectly fitted item? The bike was in daily use with this chain on it.

NB. I know this is an old thread but I think it is better to add to an existing thread on the subject rather than start another

Thanks. Graham

Bill Kapaun

You size the chain to what the bike requires. Larger chain rings/cogs will require longer chains than smaller ones.

Loop the chain over the largest cog & ring without running it through the RDER.
Add 1" but don't exceed 2" excess.

LesterOfPuppets

Many bikes need removal of a few links for proper chain length. I use the Sheldon Brown method. It results in the shortest chain possible for your bike.

If your current chain works for all gear combos I'd shorten new chain to length of old chain.

ffoxy99

Thanks for the replies. I will have a look at the Sheldon thing but if the bike worked/was supplied with 106 links I think I'll just go with that.

I was more curious as to why there doesn't seem to be chains as short as this for sale

oldskoolwrench

dellwilson,

Does the crank on your son's bike look similar to this?



If so, it's very important to note that this particular Alivio crank was subject to a Consumer Recall.
You might want to take the bike to your LBS, and there's a good chance that you will end up with
new parts.

CPSC, Shimano Announce Recall of Bicycle Components | CPSC.gov

dscheidt

Because 10 links of chain don't add much to the price of a chain, but stocking chains in different lengths costs money. It's easier for a shop to have one length of chain, and shorten them as required. The factory might buy buik chain, or buy them the exact length required.

davidad

I always go with the cheapest. I've had good luck with KMC.