11 speed chain on 7 speed drive
12-04-23, 08:02 AM
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11 speed chain on 7 speed drive
I was asked to install new 7 speed twist shifters on my friends Specialized Crossroads 3x7 hybrid bike. The chain looks all gunked up but seems to shift fairly well front and back with the new shifters. I have a low use clean11 speed chain laying around and was wondering if the narrowness of the 11 speed chain would be too much for it to engage the front rings and the rear 7 speed cassette.
12-04-23, 08:15 AM
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It would fit the teeth of the chainrings but shifting would probably be sloppy due to its outer width. Why not just clean the current chain?
12-04-23, 08:30 AM
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Yea, makes sense. I'll pop the pin, pull off the chain and soak it in some gas. It's really thick gunk and will need some scrubbing after soaking. Just thought getting use of a spare chain laying around.
12-04-23, 09:00 AM
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A MucOff chain cleaner would probably do a decent job of improving things with a lot less effort and no need to break the chain.
12-04-23, 10:09 AM
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clean/soak chain with kerosene. it's a cleaner and a lube in one. You can get small bottles of kerosene in sports aisle at Walmart.
12-04-23, 10:33 AM
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12-04-23, 05:38 PM
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I ended up using a heavy duty degreaser sprayed on to a rag and wiped the gung off the chain. My buddy will think the chain was soaked but it looks pretty good with min. effort. Really good link to different chain specks. Thanks for the info.
12-04-23, 07:56 PM
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Probably could use a new chain and cassette or freewheel. If it is that dirty and gunked up the whole thing could probably use replacement and the rest of the drivetrain could use a good cleaning. With 8 speed chains being quite cheap I see no reason to use the wrong chain.
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12-05-23, 02:05 PM
#11
jsallen
The important part of the chain to clean and relubricate is inside. Wiping dirt off the outside only makes it look better and can push grit inside.
Last edited by jsallen; 12-07-23 at 09:06 AM.
12-05-23, 03:29 PM
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Now that you have externally cleaned the chain, take a measurement of its elongation (wear) by measuring the distance between the pins of 12" of chain. If the measurement is over 12 & 1/8 " then replace the chain. If the chain is not worn out, do a better clean by dripping solvent on the chain as you pedal the bike off the ground. The solvent will loosen all the internal gunk as you pedal. Wipe the chain and then repeat the process. At this point the chain will be pretty clean externally and more importantly, internally. Drip lube on the chain and pedal to make sure the lube gets worked in. Wipe, wipe, wipe to get the lube off the external parts of the chain.
