Single speed chain?
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Single speed chain?
So, after my first ever single speed ride today, I've already managed to snap my 4 quid Oxford economy chain
So I'm going to invest in a good strong chain, so what you you ss'ers out there use??
Thanks
Ben
So I'm going to invest in a good strong chain, so what you you ss'ers out there use??
Thanks
Ben
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24199
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
- Location: my own little world
Re: Single speed chain?
I assume your ring and cog are 1/8"? If so just buy either a BMX or track chain, shouldn't need to be expensive or special.
Out of interest .... it's fairly unusual to snap a chain even a crap one, how tight is yours? Did you allow for tight spots when you set the tension?
Out of interest .... it's fairly unusual to snap a chain even a crap one, how tight is yours? Did you allow for tight spots when you set the tension?
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Single speed chain?
The front ring is taken from a tripple and the rear is a superstar cog?
The chain tension was not the tightest which I can't see has helped?
I'm a bit clueless as to why it snapped as I wasn't riding a difficult bit just a shallow ascent on a forest track :/
The chain tension was not the tightest which I can't see has helped?
I'm a bit clueless as to why it snapped as I wasn't riding a difficult bit just a shallow ascent on a forest track :/
Re: Single speed chain?
I've spent over three years extensively testing singlespeed chains - everything from very expensive to dirt cheap and my verdict is the SRAM PC7X for longevity (approx 600 hilly miles/chain), strength (never snapped one) and balance of cost (about £12)
Re: Single speed chain?
Your word is enough for me Ian, a SRAM PC7X it is :D
Re: Single speed chain?
If you cant find that one, I've used
KMC Z610 HX CHAIN 3/32"
for a few hundred miles of gurning up hills with no problems so far.
KMC Z610 HX CHAIN 3/32"
for a few hundred miles of gurning up hills with no problems so far.
- johnnystorm
- Posts: 4010
- Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2012 9:55 pm
- Location: Eastern (Anglia) Front
Re: Single speed chain?
I've done alright with SRAM PC1s which are a fiver or a quid more for nickel plating.
Currently running a Clarkes orange chain I paid 40p for at Halfords from their bargain bin. 80 miles and......it's still orange. 8-)
Currently running a Clarkes orange chain I paid 40p for at Halfords from their bargain bin. 80 miles and......it's still orange. 8-)

Re: Single speed chain?
1/8" is pretty indestructible - mated with 1/8" front and rear sprockets. (found a WTB rear sprocket that with a bit of fine dremel-ing will fit on a shimano freehub)
I'm a big fan of KMC chains.
I'm a big fan of KMC chains.
Re: Single speed chain?
Ive had good service from the KMC SS chains (the Z510 HX), its a 1/8
Its been petty bullet proof and doesnt wear too quick
Its been petty bullet proof and doesnt wear too quick
2924 miles per Gallon
- voodoo_simon
- Posts: 4337
- Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:05 pm
Re: Single speed chain?
7 years singlespeeding (nearly been longer singlespeeding than I've been with the wife!) and I've never had a problem with the cheap Sram 8 speed chains
Re: Single speed chain?
Interesting people saying good things of KMC chains - for me they are among the worst I've used. They just seemed to constantly stretch. I was having to deal with chain tension at the start of each ride, which on the Peg' is a bit of a faff. :?
Conversely, Sram PC7X seemed to stretch a tiny bit at first, then last for ages without any adjustment and start to go quickly at the end.
Conversely, Sram PC7X seemed to stretch a tiny bit at first, then last for ages without any adjustment and start to go quickly at the end.
Re: Single speed chain?
Strange that. I've had bad (well, just less than impressed) experience with SRAM chains, just find they wear really quickly. Guess it's a case of ask 100 cyclists and get 100 different opinions.