"10 speed" chain marketing scam or legitimate?
05-24-10, 11:39 AM
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"10 speed" chain marketing scam or legitimate?
I am building a road bike with a 10 speed rear (my first) and I am looking at chains and trying to determine if the concept of a 10-speed chain is a marketing scam or if I really need to shell out the extra $ for one. I've seen chains listed as "8speed" or "9 speed" that have a 116 links and "10 speed" chains that are 15 or 20$ more but only have 114 links which lead me to think that a chain is a chain (mechanically speaking -- quality aside) as long as it's long enough..
It is my understanding that the pitch of the chains are all the same and I know there are 1/8 and 3/32 width - can I use a standard 3/32 width on a 10 speed cassette? or is there a new width that I will need for the 10 speed?
Very interested to hear your thoughts, thanks!
It is my understanding that the pitch of the chains are all the same and I know there are 1/8 and 3/32 width - can I use a standard 3/32 width on a 10 speed cassette? or is there a new width that I will need for the 10 speed?
Very interested to hear your thoughts, thanks!
05-24-10, 11:41 AM
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05-24-10, 11:41 AM
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it's not a scam.
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05-24-10, 11:44 AM
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Unless the entire pro-tour peloton is being scammed as well, it's not a scam in the slightest.
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05-24-10, 11:44 AM
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10 speed needs a narrower chain because the cogs are closer together.
05-24-10, 11:57 AM
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It's true that you need a 10 speed chain for a 10 speed cassette, but it's also true that 10 speed is a scam.
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05-24-10, 12:04 PM
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thanks
I'm not interested in debating whether 10 speed or 11 speed for that matter is a scam - merely asking if I need a truly special chain of a different physical size than say a chain marketed as an 8 or 9 speed chain. Apparently I do. Thank you for the info, much appreciated..!
05-24-10, 12:05 PM
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You need the chain that matches your cassette.
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05-24-10, 12:09 PM
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10 speed chains have a narrower OUTSIDE width so that they don't get jammed between the cogs on the rear cassette. It is not a scam.
05-24-10, 12:59 PM
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10 speed chains are 5.9mm wide and absolutely necessary for proper shifting. You might get by with the wider spaced Campy cogs and some 9 speed chains, but not with the narrower spaced SRAM/Shimano cogs. The extra width makes the RD adjustment a lot more sensitive.
I've used a 5.9mm 10 speed chain with an 11 speed cassette and it worked, but I still wouldn't recommend it - the fit is just too tight.
I've used a 5.9mm 10 speed chain with an 11 speed cassette and it worked, but I still wouldn't recommend it - the fit is just too tight.
05-24-10, 01:25 PM
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The entire concept of a roller chain is a scam. There aren't and never were any performance disadvantages of direct drive.
05-24-10, 01:27 PM
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Has coddling tendencies.
05-24-10, 01:42 PM
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+1
edit: do not forget to add the bittuplins washer to the hub or it wont work.
edit: do not forget to add the bittuplins washer to the hub or it wont work.
Last edited by ultraman6970; 05-24-10 at 01:44 PM. Reason: tip forgoten
05-24-10, 02:37 PM
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05-24-10, 02:58 PM
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Square peg.
Round hole.
Round hole.
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05-24-10, 10:11 PM
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05-24-10, 10:32 PM
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Per the KMC and Wippermann web sites 9 speed and greater chains are NOT 3/32". Inside width has been narrowed to 11/128". Per KMC this is also true of Shimano chains for 9 speeds and greater.
Each generation past 8 speed chains has gone to thinner plates and narrower pins to reduce overall width. This has been necessary as 9 and 10 speed Shimano/SRAM cassettes have the same overall width as 8 speed ones did so te cogs are closer together.
Each generation past 8 speed chains has gone to thinner plates and narrower pins to reduce overall width. This has been necessary as 9 and 10 speed Shimano/SRAM cassettes have the same overall width as 8 speed ones did so te cogs are closer together.
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05-25-10, 06:09 AM
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So I guess you could say that the "scam" is that they wear out quicker so they can sell more.
That said you always have trade-offs with performance gear and the cost of a chain is relatively small.
A lot of engineering goes into the chain and the cassette and it is probably the most important component on your bike.
That said you always have trade-offs with performance gear and the cost of a chain is relatively small.
A lot of engineering goes into the chain and the cassette and it is probably the most important component on your bike.
