Fixed Gear/Single Speed .

[Drake]

don't however try to run a 3/32nds chain if your freewheel sprocket says 1/8th - just checking that you know that - as it won't work.

I didn't know,thanks for pointing that out to me .
l also meant to ask about chain wheel thickness . . does this have any bearing at all ?

[Brucey]

...l also meant to ask about chain wheel thickness . . does this have any bearing at all ?

not really (although you can't run 3/32" on chainrings meant for 1/8" chain); you are always better off running 1/8" chain on a SS.

cheers

[Si]

don't however try to run a 3/32nds chain if your freewheel sprocket says 1/8th - just checking that you know that - as it won't work.

But there's always an exception - my Forge 1/8th sprockets work with a 3/32nd chain. I find that 1/8th is a bit by 2x4 - it is sometimes a name rather than a measurement

which leads me onto another question - I, no doubt like many on here, have always assumed that a big chunky 1/8th chain is stronger than an ickle weedy 3/32 (7spd) chain. But reading something by Brant I see he thinks its the other way round, suggesting that because 3/32 have to stand up to all the shifting up and down the sprockets, unlike a track 1/18th, they are actually stronger (or longer lasting which isn't always the same thing). Chains normally fail at the pivots and it's here where he said the 3/32 is better. Opinions?

[mig]

i'm wondering if 3/32nds chain is more resistant to sideways movement/strain than 1/8th ? wouldn't matter running a single speed if the chain line was good.

[Brucey]

well not all 1/8" chain is the same. You can get bushingless or bushed 1/8" chain.

Bushingless typically (KMC, SRAM) uses the same sideplates as 7/8s derailleur chain. So why not just use that, then? Well the 1/8" chain runs smoother, and of course you can use the harder wearing 1/8" sprockets. On a good chainline this chain hardly touches the cogs, and it is flexible enough to run a poor chainline. The KMC quicklink is strong, and easy to use. This chain is easy to lube; lube applied to the rollers penetrates into the half-bushings easily, and without carrying too much dirt in there with it. This chain (e.g. KMC) is also dirt cheap; £2.30 Sir?

Bushed 1/8" chain is longer wearing than bushingless 1/8" or any 3/32" chain. However, it is also more difficult to get the lube into the bushings where it is needed. I prefer this chain inside a chaincase; it can be lathered in lube without picking up dirt, and will typically last a decade or more if simply re-lubed a couple of times a year. It is slightly more expensive (e.g. KMC S1) than bushingless chain, but still cheaper than any 3/32" chain. You can buy a KMC S1 chain for between £2.80 and about a fiver.

cheers

[pioneer]

I prefer running a 1/8" chain on fixed and singlespeed bikes.It looks "right" to start with and I think, is probably more amenable to a less than than perfect chainline. Though after putting a few bikes together now, I have learnt the art (and necessity if building a fixed'), of that.

[WrightsW5]

I have ridden my fixed gear more than my other bikes http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7385 ... 6626_c.jpg

[Drake]

I have ridden my fixed gear more than my other bikes http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7385 ... 6626_c.jpg

I like that ! What make is it ?

[WrightsW5]

Thanks,
It's a Ragazzi, got it 9yrs ago, it was originally 5 speed hub gears. From Hawk Cycles, they have these now http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/AMMACO-AMER ... ct-16.html , don't know what dropouts they have,( if they can be converted to fixed).

[Drake]

Thanks,
It's a Ragazzi, got it 9yrs ago, it was originally 5 speed hub gears. From Hawk Cycles, they have these now http://www.hawkcycles.co.uk/AMMACO-AMER ... ct-16.html , don't know what dropouts they have,( if they can be converted to fixed).

Hawk Cycles ! Funnily enough the mtb i'm using has one of their labels on it . It's manufactured by LA Cycles and is called a "Bulky" . . somewhat of a strange name methinks . I would think that top end mtb affcionados would consider it a BSO,but it rides well and gets me around .
Nice bike yours . I've always like American bikes . . they always seem unigue to me .

[Brucey]

It's a Ragazzi, got it 9yrs ago, it was originally 5 speed hub gears.

OT I know, but out of interest what happened to the 5-speed hub? What kind was it?

cheers

[WrightsW5]

Drake, if you like it that's all that matters Schwinn brought out this type of frame in 1933, they still make them.
Brucey, it was a Sachs Pentasport http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2302/2494 ... z.jpg?zz=1 and was great until the bearings went and the axle snapped! (After 1000s of miles).

[Brucey]

is axle failure common on these hubs? Or could it have been associated with the bearing failure?

If the balls start (say) running over pieces of broken cage, I would imagine that this could put the axle under stresses it wouldn't normally see, and prehaps hasten its demise.

By any chance do you recall where the axle broke?

cheers

[WrightsW5]

I can't remember where it snapped, it was a few years ago. I think it may have been to do with the coaster brake?????


Don't know if it happens to these other than mine.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

But reading something by Brant I see he thinks its the other way round, suggesting that because 3/32 have to stand up to all the shifting up and down the sprockets, unlike a track 1/18th, they are actually stronger (or longer lasting which isn't always the same thing). Chains normally fail at the pivots and it's here where he said the 3/32 is better. Opinions?

Hi,
Thats funny I always thought that chains failed where they are joined / linked etc,
If you were to compare a 1/8" to a 3 / 32 " chain with same pitch, same manufacture, same material, same side plates and sprockets are same number etc. Assuming same power transmitted,. What would you say
Possible that a 3/ 32 " chain is made tougher and or better material / process.
But a 3 / 32 " chain ( derralier type )is designed to run out of line and bridge several sprockets at once in a small segment of rear block.
Even if you compare a good 1/ 8 " chain to a good derralier chain what would be the answer
On a quick gander at the chains I have, one speed through to eight speed all of them seem to have a pretty standard 1 mm plate thickness, varies from 0.95 mm to 1.15 mm , different manufactures of course