bonsai171

The chain on my fixed gear is a little bit on the short side. Currently running 46x16, and I'd like to flip the rear to run the 17t on the other side. Is there a half link I can add to my Sram 1x chain to make it long enough?

Dave

acoustophile

I tend to keep the remains of the chain after I shorten it just in case situations like this arise. Outside of buying a new chain, your local LBS should have single links for sale. I've added a half link from a BMX chain to a 1/8 chain before with no issues.

79pmooney

Short answer - yes. The beauty of 1/8"chains. Many bike shops have them. I am sure a quick internet scan would land you a bunch. 1/8" chain is also used by the rest of the world and you can go to your hardware store and buy a 1/2 link. It will have a cotter pin and clevis, much more secure than the threaded bike 1/2 link but it does mean there is a lot more protrusion and you will have to look carefully to make sure the pin and clevis don't hit anything as the link follow the chain's path.

I second saving the leftover chain. Anther joy of 1/8" (and 3/32" up through the 7/8-speed) is that you can re-drive pins so that leftover can be added as needed later, no quick links required; just an old fashioned chain riveter. On that note - I like the chains with long pins with lots of projection beyond the outer plates, Makes re-riveting easy and makes for peace of mind. My favorite 1/8" chain is the Isuzu ECO, their $20-25 chain. Protrusion, very square, hard edged link plates that are the complete opposite of any modern, quick shifting derailleur chain (like they wanted to make it really hard to shift - well shifting on a SS/fix gear is better known as throwing the chain; simply bad). So those Isuzus run noisy, stay on (and last forever). Popular at the velodrome for those without $50+ to spend on chains. (I ran a beautiful KMC for a bit. Quiet. But I had to run with less chain slack to keep it on riding rough roads. The Izusu allows more slack, security (and for the $$ saver type, allows you to run a cheaper crankset and get away with more eccentricity and chain slack/tighten. A bigger window of acceptable slack.

ThermionicScott 

My current chain is just about done, so I'll give this one a try next.

bonsai171

Unfortunately saving the leftover chain isn't an option, I installed the chain quite a few years ago and threw out the extra. The kmc half links say they work with kmc chains. Surprised Sram doesn't have one of their own. Maybe I should just buy a new chain and call it a day.

Dave

ThermionicScott 

Unlike with multi-speed chain, you should be able to use a generic 1/8" half-link with any 1/8" chain.

I await correction if someone knows an exception.

TejanoTrackie 

https://www.retro-gression.com/colle...-1-8-half-link

bonsai171

I take it the standard version would work?

TejanoTrackie 

Yes, it should fit anything other than a KMC K1 chain.