Cycling UK Forum

Thanks to everyone for all the informative advice! I now know what a chainstay is and so I am also a little less ignorant than I was until recently.

I used the bid-big method to measure the required length of the chain and sure enough, it came out at 116-links. I take on board the suggestion of dropping the range of the back cassette to accommodate a shorter chain, which is something I may consider next time out.

I am looking to get a KMC X10 Silver / Black Chain 116-Link, but only from trusted suppliers; there are lots of fakes out there and KMC warn about it and advised me to stick with local suppliers!
Anyway, the issue is that most of the chains are 114-links (from the suppliers I am looking at) and I wonder if it will be okay to drop the size of the chain by two links?
For info, I have a 48-tooth ring and the largest cog on the cassette is 36-tooth. Having said that, I mostly use the five highest-gear cogs on the cassette.

TIA

Slowtwitch wrote: ↑25 Feb 2022, 8:37am They are also selling the excellent Sram 1031 Ten speed chain for £16.99

i’ll take a look at that, thanks! I can stomach £20 on a decent chain, but beyond that it’s getting a bit much as I tend to purchase three chains and rotate their usage.

I contacted a couple of the local bike shops, as recommended by KMC themselves, and whilst I couldn’t obtain the chain I wanted locally, both shops stated you can mix and match chains and cassettes, which I didn’t realise. This now opens-up other possibilities, allowing me to purchase from online companies that I have used many times in the past.

gregoryoftours wrote: ↑24 Feb 2022, 7:15pm

RollWithIt wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:42pm

yostumpy wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:33pm https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350740161749

£15.99 been buying chains from them for years.

Thanks for the info. I’ve taken a look at the chains and they don’t do the X10 that I need unfortunately.

They do sell several varieties of X10 chains and do seem to be well established, yostumpy has been buying for years, they are relatively cheap, why don't you try them? It won't ruin your expensive cassette if you make use of a chain checker and discard once it's worn, you can make a judgement call according to the use you get out of it.

Thanks for your input, but as I mentioned they don’t do that particular one that I need unfortunately. Since posting, I contacted the manufacturer and asked them about an Amazon listing and their response was to only buy locally, ‘period’! Make of that what you will.

yostumpy wrote: ↑22 Feb 2022, 11:33pm https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/350740161749

£15.99 been buying chains from them for years.

Thanks for the info. I’ve taken a look at the chains and they don’t do the X10 that I need unfortunately.

Last time I bought a KMC X.93, 116-link chain, I’m sure I paid around about £15 for it. Now, I’m struggling to find a boxed chain for less than £28 (Amazon).
There is a company on eBay selling unboxed KMC chains for £20, but I am concerned about potentially ending up with a fake item that will wear out my very expensive rear cassette.
So, my question is relating to people’s experiences of buying these unboxed chains off eBay? Generally speaking, should I steer well clear and pay the extra £8 on Amazon, or am I worrying about nothing? Not sure if there is even the market for fake chains, but I assume there is.

TIA

Jupestar wrote: ↑18 Feb 2022, 11:55am Generally I find getting a joint set calipers/levers is the way to go. I find TRP in general to be the best quality/value but impossible to try everything. I have a cheap set of decipher which came on one bike and they are great not touched them in 5 years now. - apart from a couple of brake pads. Got a set of 4 pot TRP which I was planning to put on but never got round to it.


I’ve found a few of the cheaper Shimano brakes can get leaky seals particular is the bike is stored at an angle. But overall they are good - just need a bit for maintenance .

Thanks for your input.

531colin wrote: ↑16 Feb 2022, 11:25pm Have you tried cleaning the disc & pads / new pads / different pads?
Everything done up tight?

Thanks for the response, but I’ve done all of that and more. I’ve replaced the brakes a number of times over the years and I suspect it is down to cheap brakes combined with most of my cycling done across fields and dirt tracks.

I am looking for the best option for replacing my squealing M447 brake and would appreciate any advice.

Brake lever is BL-M505 and the bike is a Specialized trail bike. Main use is just pottering around on trails and getting from A to B. It is my main form of transport though and so I want good quality components.

The performance of the existing brake is fine enough for what i need and so any replacement only needs to be as good, but preferably better. Happy to pay more though to get the best bang-for-buck. I’ve seen a number of comments on various forums suggesting dropping a Deore in there.

Checked prices and there’s not a lot of difference between M615, M6000 and M6100 If that’s the way to go!? Will any / all of the aforementioned brakes simply slot into my existing set up without need for additional components; thinking here of Servo Wave, compatibility with existing lever, gear shifter, hoses and so on?

If absolutely necessary then I will purchase a brake set and change each of the components, but then I guess the issue is how the brake will work alongside the other brake i.e. with only one side changed. Here i’m thinking about different levers, breaking efficiency, biting point and so on?

TIA