Tandem chains: using KMC missing links

[Ross K]

I use KMC missing links on all my road bikes, which all happen to be 10-speed. I love them for their ease of breaking an re-joining the chain - it encourages regular chain-off-bike cleaning, one less excuse to not do it!

I'm thinking of buying some for my tandem, a 3 x 7 speed Galaxy Twin of 1992 heritage.

I note that KMC missing links are listed both as "5, 6, 7, 8 speed" and "7/8 speed" quick links, and variously as 7.3mm and 7.1mm. I presume it's the 7.3mm pin length I need?

Does anyone on here use these links on their tandem chains? I realise that the combined wattage of two riders on a climb is a fair bit higher than a solo bike but I expect that these links will be plenty strong enough?

I also think I might need two on the timing chain as its length would dictate that I need to buy two standard 116 link chains, is that right? I haven't counted the number of links on mine yet, by the way, it's just what I've heard!

[Jdsk]

KMC make "tandem chains":
https://www.tandems.co.uk/m8b0s16p606/KMC-CHAINS-Tandem-Crossover-Chain-Nickel-Plated-160-Link-KMC-E1

I have two magic links in my F to R chain on one of the Super Galaxies... but I can't remember which type! No problems in use.

You're familiar with the eccentric bottom bracket?

Jonathan

[Ross K]

Great, thanks for your reply and advice! Yes, I'm familiar with the eccentric BB.

[NickJP]

A good sprinter can put out 1500+ watts in a sprint, and a tandem with two ordinary cyclists on board is not going to get anywhere near that power output...

[Brucey]

the 'timing chain' is the long one in a crossover drive; it only sees one man's effort and it runs straight; no problem. The, other chain is a normal length and can be joined in a normal way, so only one point of weakness.

In a 'long right side drive' (front derailleur on the front chainset) the drive chain is not so badly cross-chained, so it has an easier time of it despite having two riders to cope with. A few crews can sprint out of the saddle on a tandem which would give the chain a hard time but this is very much the exception.

All things being equal you have to expect chain problems on a tandem are going to be a bit more likely than on a solo bike. This being the case, carrying a chain tool and a few spare links/quicklinks isn't a bad idea.

cheers

[Ross K]

Thanks for the advice!

[Vorpal]

I keep one for my tandem chain size in the repair kit, but I've never had to use it.

[zenitb]

I've used my spare quicklink on our tandem. I hadnt noticed the middle chainring was loose...although I should have realised because middle ring shifts were getting sketchey. Then the chain must have fallen between the large and middle ring and somewhere in the melee the quick link got ripped off, splitting the chain and immobilising the tandem 10 miles from home. Half the original quick link was gone for good...who knows how far back on the road. I had the crucial spare quick link with me though so everything got fixed in a few minutes.

I check the chainring bolts now ..oh..and I take TWO spare quicklinks

[foxyrider]

it used to be the thing to use single speed chain on the timing chain.

Can't recall ever snapping a chain but we did bend a final drive chainring starting one event, dunno how many watts we were putting through it - we didn't have meters back in the 90's!

Point is, it was the chainring rather than the chain that failed.