Heavy-duty chain?
#1
joyful rider
Thread Starter
Heavy-duty chain?
I have a long chain (LWB recumbent), and am starting to see chain stretch...and a friend of mine just introduced me to the concept of heavy-duty bicycle chain. Mine was a 21-speed converted to a Shimano Nexus 8, so I'm not using one of the narrower chain standards. Anyone have experiences with heavy-duty chain? I have to admit to being a bit shocked, because my local bike shop claimed there was no such thing not very long ago :-)
#2
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
what width do you need? does it need to be able to shift with a derailer? If i read the above correctly, you have a Nexus shifting system, which makes me think you could use a singlespeed chain. if that is the case, look into chains designed for track racing and for BMX. I would avoid anything with half-links as those seem to actually stretch quickly. there's no substitute for keep your chain clean and lubed, which should slow down chain wear.
#3
joyful rider
Thread Starter
what width do you need? does it need to be able to shift with a derailer? If i read the above correctly, you have a Nexus shifting system, which makes me think you could use a singlespeed chain. if that is the case, look into chains designed for track racing and for BMX. I would avoid anything with half-links as those seem to actually stretch quickly. there's no substitute for keep your chain clean and lubed, which should slow down chain wear.
#4
Really Old Senior Member
Heavier duty (if one existed) might not break as easily, but I'd expect the same wear in the "joints".
#5
joyful rider
Thread Starter
https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Ch.../dp/B01G9JHRFG
https://www.bikeberry.com/415-heavy-duty-chain.html
Also am not sure which type of chain will fit, 420 or 415.
#6
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
If you were using a 7-speed chain (usually classified as 6,7, 8-speed chain) for your 21-speed prior setup, that would be considered heavier-duty than narrower chains for 9, 10, 11 or 12-speed chains. And, if you have been using the same chain for a long time and/or many miles, that would explain the wear on your chain. E-bike chain would probably be overkill but single speed is worth looking into. Just need to make sure whatever you do go with is compatible with your chain ring and Nexus cog. Chains are gonna wear, no matter what they are. (They don't stretch, but they do get longer. )
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 2,262
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 713 Post(s)
Liked 796 Times
in
473 Posts
KMC makes a line of E-bike specific chains that are made stronger to resist breaking from the higher torque loads of electric motors and shifting under load. The single speed specific version is the e1 chain found here https://www.amazon.com/KMC-E1-Ept-Chain/dp/B07MCM3BXW
I don't know that it will last longer, because chains don't stretch. They get longer due to wear at the pins.
I don't know that it will last longer, because chains don't stretch. They get longer due to wear at the pins.
#8
n00b
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,397
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Twin Six Standard Rando
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 466 Times
in
273 Posts
I saw these:
https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Ch.../dp/B01G9JHRFG
https://www.bikeberry.com/415-heavy-duty-chain.html
Also am not sure which type of chain will fit, 420 or 415.
https://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Duty-Ch.../dp/B01G9JHRFG
https://www.bikeberry.com/415-heavy-duty-chain.html
Also am not sure which type of chain will fit, 420 or 415.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Breaking is one, chain 'wear' is another. Chains don't 'stretch', they wear. They elongate because of the wear. A heavy duty chain might be less prone to break under load but will probably wear the same as a regular chain.
#10
joyful rider
Thread Starter
If you were using a 7-speed chain (usually classified as 6,7, 8-speed chain) for your 21-speed prior setup, that would be considered heavier-duty than narrower chains for 9, 10, 11 or 12-speed chains. And, if you have been using the same chain for a long time and/or many miles, that would explain the wear on your chain. E-bike chain would probably be overkill but single speed is worth looking into. Just need to make sure whatever you do go with is compatible with your chain ring and Nexus cog. Chains are gonna wear, no matter what they are. (They don't stretch, but they do get longer. )
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,890
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4788 Post(s)
Liked 3,914 Times
in
2,545 Posts
Have you considered going to 1/8" chain, chainring and and cogs? Izumi makes very good chains and at ~$22 per chain it won't cost you a lot. (You can run the wide chain over narrower rings and cogs with no issue but the fat stuff lasts a lot longer.) I ride those chains on my three fix gears (in three different finishes to match their colors; I pay $3 more for silver or gold).
Likes For 79pmooney:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,358
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2475 Post(s)
Liked 2,947 Times
in
1,673 Posts
Have you considered going to 1/8" chain, chainring and and cogs? Izumi makes very good chains and at ~$22 per chain it won't cost you a lot. (You can run the wide chain over narrower rings and cogs with no issue but the fat stuff lasts a lot longer.) I ride those chains on my three fix gears (in three different finishes to match their colors; I pay $3 more for silver or gold).
#13
Full Member
If it's long wear you seek, this test result is helpful
#14
Insane Bicycle Mechanic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: other Vancouver
Posts: 9,825
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 797 Post(s)
Liked 694 Times
in
371 Posts
If you were using a 7-speed chain (usually classified as 6,7, 8-speed chain) for your 21-speed prior setup, that would be considered heavier-duty than narrower chains for 9, 10, 11 or 12-speed chains. And, if you have been using the same chain for a long time and/or many miles, that would explain the wear on your chain. E-bike chain would probably be overkill but single speed is worth looking into. Just need to make sure whatever you do go with is compatible with your chain ring and Nexus cog. Chains are gonna wear, no matter what they are. (They don't stretch, but they do get longer. )
__________________
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Jeff Wills
Comcast nuked my web page. It will return soon..
Likes For Jeff Wills:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,379
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 667 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times
in
355 Posts
T cycle sells chain by the foot. A much better way to buy recumbent chains.
https://t-cycle.com/collections/chain-in-bulk
My bent takes a chain 10' 5" long, so I ordered 21' of chain to get two full chains with only a single link.
https://t-cycle.com/collections/chain-in-bulk
My bent takes a chain 10' 5" long, so I ordered 21' of chain to get two full chains with only a single link.