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forum
which chain?
With all the brands and variations available in a little confused as to which chain I should get. I have a shimano 8 speed on at the moment but is "stretched" and need replacing. I see a lot of love for the KMC chains, and I see the SRAM are compatible. Could someone advice me or post a link (pun not intended) to a guide in the best chain for me.
Cheers
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22 comments
Bear hands
I-will-beat-you-with-my-bear-hands.jpg
One of these in the tool box is well worth it
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/bbb-open-link-closing-link-tool-btl77...
http://road.cc/sites/all/modules/smileys/packs/Yahoo!/cool.gif
KMC: You just need to develop the skill of attaching / detaching the magic links with your bear hands which is easy once you have the knack. Create some slack in the chain the bend the chain across its width to loosen the link. Then pull the two halves of the chain together. Needs practice but its worth it for on road repairs. If you use a shimano chain, if it snaps you're effed, as you can't fix it with a missing link on the road and they are b@ggers to fix with a chain tool. KMC however can be fixed easily on the road. which is a big advantage in the middle of FEB
my method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2WW5CTIqc
If you enjoy carrying your entire tool box you can try this method:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uirUIGh9fyc
Where can I get a pair of them there bear hands to add to my toolbox?????
I'd have thougt the claws would make them a bugger to work with and it must be a nightmare trying to get chain lube out of all that fur.
Claws? Huh?
I run dura ace and ultegra 10 speed chains on my bikes, the trick to get the kmc power link to lock is to make sure the right hand crank arm is facing forwards, connect the kmc link together making sure they link together just a few links before the chain goes on to the chainring
now apply the front brake and using your foot apply pressure to the pedal until you hear the kmc link snap into place
Been doing this for years and it seems to be the easiest way
Not directly relevant to the thread because I'm talking about ten-speed chains, but illuminating just the same ....
A few months ago Velo magazine published the results of a chain longevity test. They took examples from just about every leading manufacturer, and a few I've never heard of, and ran them under lab' conditions for thousands of hours whilst liberally dousing them with sand.
The longest lasting, if my memory serves me correctly, was Shimano's Dura Ace but very close on its heels was their 105, at less than half the price. I have since bought three for my store cupboard and with a little luck they should last me five years.
By the way, a KMC Missing Link fits Shimano chains ( or Campag') just fine.
Im 100% sure your right, i just couldn't for the life of me get it to lock
Could have been a dodgy link. I had one on a recently bought kmc that would not close so I just reused the old one.
wow thats useful info thanks
KMC for me too.
I thought i would update you on my troubles and woes of the chain situation.
I went up to my LBS and asked them what thay had in stock at the time. They didn't have any 8 Speed KMC chains but had a shimano hg51 they also gave me a KMC missing link and i bought a chain breaker as mine was knackered (nearly 20 years old).
I got back and took off the old chain, measured up the new chain and removed and extra link to add the KMC link. Thats when it all went to s**t
. The chain breaker broke. i have to go back to the shop and get it replaced, then the KMC link wouldnt lock into place. 
After about 40 mins i gave up and added an extra link and put it all back together. I put the bike on the turbo trainer and proceeded to go through the gears only to find the lowest gear was jumping repeatedly
.
On further investigation i found that 1 tooth was worn and so i had to get a new cassette too.
Talk about what was a simple chain swap turned out to be a stressful afternoon.
I was always taught that replacement of worn chain is inextricably linked with the replacement of cassette - am I out of date on this?
If you replace your chain on the 0.75 point on chain wear tool, you may get three chains per cassette.
Been using KMC 9.93 chains for years. Never had a problem with 'em. £9 on eBay.
KMC all the way, run one on all my bikes (Race/Winter/Track) and can't fault them.
I run kmc chain on 9/10/11 speed setups (campagnolo) all run well, easy to fit with the speed link, why don't all the manufactures adopt this system.
With SRAM and KMC you get a reusable (for 8-spd at least) link that is just soooooo much better than Shimano's pin. Otherwise, just go by price. Keep in mind that you may need a new cassette as well if you've run with a worn chain for a while - check the teeth carefully.
SRAM 8 speed chains are great, I've no experience of narrower ones. Type pc870 is what I use, it's mid range one, with nickel plated links.