forteh Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Having finally got my hands on a set of decent length cranks thanks to brettoll (175 burns to replace the 165s I bought almost ten years ago!) I'm finally able to run 18:15 However because my chainstays are 385 I have a slightly longer chain run than ideal with full links, if I can put a half link in there it will only need a small amount of tensioning. I'm not harsh on my drive and have never snapped a chain despite only changing it three times since 2004 . I've currently got a kmc z610, I know they have a very good reputation so I have no worries about the strength of it, however should I be worried about using a half link in there? More to the point, anyone got a few spare half links I can beg/borrow/steal/buy off them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross McArthur Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Ive used a half link set up for a couple of years. I run a 18:16 ratio. I ran it on my Bionic and now on my Echo SL. The half link is the weak link as Ive snapped a few of them. They last a good while, +5months easy. Tarty recommend you change your chain every 3 months ((this should include your half link) aye nae bother Tarty )) So if you stick to that good advice you'll be onto a winner. Thankfully the snaps haven’t been too bad for me. The latest snapped on preloading a short run up tap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted February 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 I reckon I should be safe to run one then, as I said I never stamp on the drive and only ever smoothly preload it. Given that I didn't snap a 5 quid sram single speed chain in 5 years of running it I should be ok. Ill be keeping a close eye on the half link to check for cracks or stretching though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Just to scare you I hardly ever snap KMC z610s (though i replace them every 4 months or so), but I put a half link from tartys on and the link sheared in half within 2 weeks. I therefore had a boo boo on my knuckles for 3 weeks. I will never run a half link again. Saying that, you may be fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted February 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 blah! But you're a much beastier rider than me Ask anyone that's watched me try to gap, its almost as if I would rather tickle my pedals to death than put any effort into them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sstein Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 the half link will be the weakest link in the chain however you will be less likely to snap it than with a full half link chain. Saying this I snap a lot of chains and have never had a problem with a single half link since i started using them, but i tend to replace my chain when ever i feel the need. You can USUALLY tell when a chain is close to snapping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 24, 2012 Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Will obviously be the weakest bit, but it sounds like you're pretty easy on them, and what I saw at tarty days was smooth as so you'll be fine if you keep an eye on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted February 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2012 Managed to pick up a half link freon a local shop, really wasn't expecting them to have one so a pleasant surprise:) Thanks for the vote of smoothness jd, I think its more to the pointthat I don't put that much power in so the result is smooth. Will keep an eye on it and see if it looks like failing:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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