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review

Gusset Slink Chain coloured

7
£19.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Bargain chain well suited to single speed and fixer conversions
Weight: 
360g
Contact: 
www.ison-distribution.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Colourful components are all the rage amongst the single speed and fixer fraternity and Gusset’s slink half-link design certainly won’t disappoint those looking for a great value chain delivering comparable performance to the bigger players. However, the weight penalty may deter some. If fancy colours aren't your thing and you just want a well-priced half-link chain there is a silver option which is even cheaper.

Made from head treated steel and with strength equal to that of YKN’s MK918N the slink is available in a choice of narrow 3/32 or time honoured 1/8th inch. Our lighter 3/32 test model took all the punishment I could inflict without batting an eyelid. 102 links feature clever cutaway inner plate edges to provide better sprocket alignment, translating into a more refined transmission-especially on smaller sprockets or when running “magic” gears. This also helps counteract sag without recourse to chain devices on frames with vertical ends.

There was just sufficient length to run a 48x16 configuration on my road path bike and refinement seems equal to that of costlier designs thanks to greatly improved rigidity, inspiring confidence when transmission braking or track-standing in the wet. Phenomenal rigidity makes for greater efficiency when sprinting away from the lights or putting the hammer down on the open road. It’s a competent performer on the trails too-serenely quiet and absolutely bombproof so well suited to the rigours of single speed cyclo cross.

Tested through a wet July with only the drizzle of factory lube hasn’t impaired performance and the finish seems better than I expected-a bonus on single speed bikes likely to be ridden in the worst conditions. When all’s said and done, it won’t disappoint if you’re on a modest budget, like the look of half link designs and turn moderate gears.

Verdict

Bargain chain well suited to single speed and fixer conversions.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Gusset Slink Chain coloured

Size tested: 3/32\\

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Gusset's Slink (like most half-link chains of this ilk) is primarily a BMX/Trials chain but the narrower 3/32 makes a very easy transition to aggressive singlespeed and fixer duties.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

102 heat treated steel links with clever cutaway inner plate edges give better alignment and counteract chain sag when used with smaller sprockets.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10

A whopping 360g

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Very much a bargain.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

There's no doubt the Slink compares favourably with costlier designs. Phenomenal rigidy offers explosive getaways at the lights and easy trackstands while you're waiting for them to change. Quality of construction generally seems excellent, although time will tell as to the finish's durability when ridden through salt strewn winter roads.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Style, Price and high quality construction.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

In keeping with the breed, a little short and fairly hefty.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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3 comments

Avatar
Tony Farrelly | 15 years ago
0 likes

Fair point Jezzer, as I understand it magic gears are the combination of gears - sprocket and chainring that allows you to run a bike with vertical dropouts as a fixed. There some excellent info on the subject here
http://www.63xc.com/toddp/halflink.htm

Avatar
jezzzer | 15 years ago
0 likes

who'd like to explain to the ignoramus what "magic" gears are...?

Avatar
BananaDrama | 15 years ago
0 likes

"with strength equal to that of YKN’s MK918N", that's because it is a YKN MK918N chain but with paint on! And it is a tenner cheaper.

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