Modern Chain recommendations?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 344
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 749 Times
in
172 Posts
Modern Chain recommendations?
Hi folks, I am sure this has been asked before, but I could not really find much data. I typically get my chains from Mike up the road here in Boulder, because he has NOS Regina or Sedisport, but has anyone found a favorite "modern" chain that will work with a vintage 5 or 6 speed (classic spacing, not ultra)? I think Jim Merz recommended an 8 speed Campy chain for a lightweight option, but I cannot even find one of those?
Thanks,
Andy
Arvada CO USA
Thanks,
Andy
Arvada CO USA
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Berkeley CA
Posts: 2,536
Bikes: 1981 Ron Cooper, 1974 Cinelli Speciale Corsa, 2000 Gary Fisher Sugar 1, 1986 Miyata 710, 1982 Raleigh "International"
Mentioned: 97 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 930 Post(s)
Liked 1,291 Times
in
487 Posts
I usually run Wipperman Connex 8-speed chains. They usually do well in longevity tests...e.g. https://zerofrictioncycling.com.au
Note that the ZFC tests are not on 8-speed chains, but on the narrower versions of the same model chains.
Note that the ZFC tests are not on 8-speed chains, but on the narrower versions of the same model chains.
Likes For davester:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,674
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1372 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,751 Times
in
938 Posts
I tend to run on a tight budget. With that in mind, for six, seven and eight speed set-ups, I use an inexpensive eight speed chain - SRAM PC 830. It is lighter than Old School chain and joins with a master link, which is included in the box. Sometimes, if the vintage bike I am building has long chain stays, the box does not supply quite enough chain...
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
Likes For randyjawa:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,154
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3807 Post(s)
Liked 6,676 Times
in
2,607 Posts
+1 on the SRAM PC-830, usually available for around 11 USD.
Likes For nlerner:
#5
Just Pedaling
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: US West Coast
Posts: 1,010
Bikes: YEP!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 332 Post(s)
Liked 521 Times
in
348 Posts
I use KMC's on my vintage 6spd FW's with a missing link connection for ease of removal and waxing. Shifting is smooth-never been a problem and they're relatively cheap online. (or were, anyway)
#6
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,186
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,307 Times
in
1,117 Posts
FWIW, I recently bought a KMC chain and love it. The nickel color I think looks good. I am an old man and ride my vintage bikes like an old man and they work well on the 40 year old chain rings and freewheel. My bikes also while "vintage", are not what most would call classic so there is also that.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
Likes For Chuck M:
#7
Banned.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Snohomish, WA.
Posts: 2,866
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 469 Post(s)
Liked 2,443 Times
in
646 Posts
Another vote for Sram 8 speed chains. They have a pc830, 850, and 870. The local rei to me stocks the pc850 for $15. I've purchased a few from them over the last couple of years.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,485
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1639 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 828 Times
in
537 Posts
I use Sedis/Sachs chains for my 7 speed rear clusters, as they were designed for narrower cog spacing., compared to the regular Sedisports. They have slight bevels (Not present on the older Sedisports) on their side plates to promote shifting.....
__________________
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
72 Line Seeker
83 Davidson Signature
84 Peugeot PSV
84 Peugeot PY10FC
84 Gitane Tour de France.
85 Vitus Plus Carbone 7
86 ALAN Record Carbonio
86 Medici Aerodynamic (Project)
88 Pinarello Montello
89 Bottecchia Professional Chorus SL
95 Trek 5500 OCLV (Project)
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: La Habra, California
Posts: 788
Bikes: Italvega Super Speciales and Superlights
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 355 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
I’ve had good luck for 5 speed freewheel bikes using the KMC Z8.1 chain, not expensive at $13 retail, 116 links plus appropriate Missing Link connector included. I can run a 52T front/34T rear cog using a Campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur with Rally cage modification using the full length. The beveled Z side plates aid in shifting and while not super smooth in my drivetrain, does have a satisfying “clunk” shift. Comes in Gray and nickel-plate gray. Formerly the Z51 chain.
Probably would shift better if I used a Suntour slant parallelogram derailleur like the VGT-Luxe.
Probably would shift better if I used a Suntour slant parallelogram derailleur like the VGT-Luxe.
__________________
Italvega and Torpado Enthusiast
Italvega and Torpado Enthusiast
Likes For mech986:
#11
Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 70
Bikes: Emonda, 79/80 Colnago Super, early 80s Eddy Merckx, end 70/beginning 80s Somec Super Corsa, Santa Cruz Bronson
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 63 Times
in
34 Posts
Another vote for the SRAM PC 800 series. I got the 870 for $18 on Ebay.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,703
Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1947 Post(s)
Liked 2,009 Times
in
1,108 Posts
Shimano HG71 because I like doing the pin thing.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
#13
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Hitsville USA
Posts: 261
Bikes: 50s, 60s, 70s Nottingham/Worksop bikes, becanes, Gitane, Bertin, Lion of Sochaux
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times
in
75 Posts
Read a few times that sram 830 does not have chrome plated hardened pins. Can anyone else confirm this? On this advice, I bought a couple 850s recently. Here is post from another member recently where this is discussed.
https://www.bikeforums.net/22125995-post16.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/22125995-post16.html
Last edited by Slowride79; 04-22-22 at 05:17 PM.
Likes For Slowride79:
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,833
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 604 Post(s)
Liked 1,063 Times
in
535 Posts
Been using the KMC Z8, but lately pretty happy with this one from Amazon.
Tim
Tim
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 589
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 192 Post(s)
Liked 566 Times
in
197 Posts
Chains for a vintage bike are a problem. The big problem is that all derailleur chains made today are optimized for indexed shifting systems. They are far more laterally flexible than we’re the vintage chains. Older non indexed rear derailleurs often had a design where idler pulley was positioned some distance from the cogs. Indexed systems are the opposite. This was great for quick and easy wheel removal, but not so great for shifting with a flexible chain. The old Regina chains were very stiff and even the old Sedisport was stiff by today’s standards. I use SRAM 8 speed chains sometimes, but find that the Wippermann Connex chains are a little stiffer and work better. For the most part, I have gravitated away from 7 speed freewheels to 6 speed as they are far easier to shift with a modern chains. I find that it is also helpful to exaggerate the “ overshift and back off “ method of shifting as well
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,321
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 767 Post(s)
Liked 1,898 Times
in
889 Posts
@El Chaba, the varying experiences I read regarding modern chains on vintage drivetrains are interesting.
My experience has been the opposite. I have a bike that is set up with a Campy NR, a Sunrace 14-24 6-speed, and a modern KMC chain.
It is, without question, the smoothest shifting friction drivetrain I have ever used. That includes various Suntour and Shimano builds. Not even close. That includes front shifting as well.
I just put a Sram 830 and a NOS Sachs 6-speed on my Colnago with vintage Super Record. It is incredibly slick.
Perhaps the chain/freewheel combos I choose have more to do with it? Don't know for sure.
My experience has been the opposite. I have a bike that is set up with a Campy NR, a Sunrace 14-24 6-speed, and a modern KMC chain.
It is, without question, the smoothest shifting friction drivetrain I have ever used. That includes various Suntour and Shimano builds. Not even close. That includes front shifting as well.
I just put a Sram 830 and a NOS Sachs 6-speed on my Colnago with vintage Super Record. It is incredibly slick.
Perhaps the chain/freewheel combos I choose have more to do with it? Don't know for sure.
#17
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Posts: 344
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane LeChampion (silver lilac), 1974 Motobecane Grand Jubile (red/black); 1975 Motobecane Team Champion (orange); 1982 Pinarello Professional (Exorcist Green); 1974 Raleigh Professional MkIV mink blue, 1974 Motobecane Grand Record blk/red
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 103 Post(s)
Liked 749 Times
in
172 Posts
Thanks everyone for the guidance. One bit of information I have gleaned is that apparently modern chains still retain both the length of each link as well as the inner width. The main dimension that has changed is the outer width of the chain. I was concerned that a modern chain might not accommodate a wider cog on an older freewheel, but that is apparently not the case. I got a Campy 9 speed chain to try out on my Raleigh Team and it seems to work great, YMMV.
Thanks,
Andy
Thanks,
Andy
Likes For 75lechamp: