1/8 Or 3/32 Chain ?

[zoster]

Ok, so i understand that 3/32 chains fit trials sprockets and trials freewheels. if this is so, why would anyone get a wider (therefore heavier, therefore less snug fit) chain ? Don't tell me because some models don't come in 3/32 version. Let's compare the same model that comes in both 1/8 and 3/32 (like the kmc Z610HX/Z510HX and kmc kool K710/K810). why would you choose the wider version if the narrower one fits as well?

thanks!

[Adam-Griffin]

Strength ?

[zoster]

Strength ?

how does longer pins make the chain any stronger?

Edited January 11, 2009 by zoster

[Muel]

It doesn't really, but they seem to last longer because the rollers have more surface area on the pins, so they don't wear as fast.

[robonatomz]

allso some freewheels, epesially cheap ones come in 8th , its the normal size for bmx

rob

[Bionic Balls]

i found 1/8th kool chains last much much longer..

[shamus]

i thought the pins were 'fatter' as well? that would be stronger

[zoster]

It doesn't really, but they seem to last longer because the rollers have more surface area on the pins, so they don't wear as fast.

i think you mean the buching instead of rollers, but i get what you mean. thanks for the response.

here are some pics about chain terminology for those that aren't familiar (as i was):

[16 years later]

i think you mean the buching instead of rollers, but i get what you mean. thanks for the response.

here are some pics about chain terminology for those that aren't familiar (as i was):

But those two pictures seen to contradict one another, one calls one bit the buch and another bit the roller and the other picture seems to have them the other way around.

Edit is the roller the outter bit maybe im wrong.

Edited January 11, 2009 by 16 years later

[zoster]

yes, it is the outer bit. they don;t contradicat, but in the first picture the roller should have a bigger diameter to fit the bushing, so it's a bit confusing.

[JonMack]

1/8th is the standard width for a BMX chain.

[sstein]

Cheaper for a standard singlespeed chain (obviously not with kmc, etc... but I use a taya chain)

[eskimo]

It's a good question, i also have no idea why really.

We know they're stronger but we don't know why.

Same goes for 3/16"

[AdamR28]

We know they're stronger but we don't know why.

But are they? I think it could be psychological. I haven't found wider chains to be stronger in my experience.

The only thing is that their pins tend to stick out of the pinks a little further (since the overall width of the chain is less of an issue on 1/8"), so maybe people have found the links to splay apart less and thus perceive the chain to be 'stronger'?

[eskimo]

But are they? I think it could be psychological. I haven't found wider chains to be stronger in my experience.

The only thing is that their pins tend to stick out of the pinks a little further (since the overall width of the chain is less of an issue on 1/8"), so maybe people have found the links to splay apart less and thus perceive the chain to be 'stronger'?

I dunno, that's why i'm also asking

It seems that wider chains are stronger because of the bmx background. And since bmxs are getting lighter as time goes on and parts being re-newed/ produced/ updated every year then you would of though they'd look at chains more?

But the pins could be the vital point like you say as bmxers like to grind parts on ruff edges after all

[psycholist]

The pins aren't really the weak points in a chain, it's their fit with the outer plates - only way I've snapped chains was either through the side plates (Very unusual - fatigue failure in a 8 speed chain I'd used for about a year on my trials bike - see the picture below) or having the pin pop out of a side plate and the chain coming apart that way. I think the side plates on 1/8" chains are thicker, which means they resist the bending induced in them by the tension from the inner links not being on the same line of action as the tension from the outer links. If the side plates bend less there's less force inducing the pins to come out of the outer side plates. That coupled with the longer protrusion of the chain pins out of the side plates cuts the likelihood of the pin coming out. The chain will feel stiffer under power too - My bike only takes 1/8" chain, but it would be interesting to try an 8 or 9 speed chain and see if it feels stretchier on pedal kicks or just when standing on the front pedal with the brake on. The chain is far from the only part that flexes under pedaling loads though, so it might be difficult to isolate...

The pictures shown in the post above don't show a bicycle chain at all (Or any bicycle chain that's been made in the last 20 or 30 years at least AFAIK). On a bicycle chain half of each bush that goes under the roller is forged into each of the inner side plates of the chain rather than press fitted into the inner links. Bike chains are known as 'swaged bushing chains' and are stronger for their weight because the inner link plates have a smaller hole in them as they only need to carry the pin rather than the bushing. The disadvantage is that oil gets washed out of swaged bushing chains much more easily than standard bushing chains.

Edited January 12, 2009 by psycholist

[Matt Burrows]

The pictures shown in the post above don't show a bicycle chain at all (Or any bicycle chain that's been made in the last 20 or 30 years at least AFAIK).

Wahey somebody actually noticed.

For anybody interested in knowing more, Sheldon Brown has a useful article here

I prefer using 1/8" chains because of the sprocket choice, you can use burly BMX cogs that would be too wide for a 3/32" chain. If you get decent quality sprockets then you'll end up with a noticeably stronger and longer lasting drivetrain. I've got a Park chain wear tool which I use frequently to make sure my chains in good nick. I replace it as soon as it reaches 0.75mm wear, which means my cogs hardly wear and last for years, and more importantly my chance of a chain snap is much lower. Costs a bit more in chains but I value my teeth