J279_TechSupport_rr_ce_km.qxd
5/15/07
10:26 AM
Page 144
The chain gang Triathletes can choose from myriad bike chains, but when does compatibility become an issue? By Ian Buchanan TECH SUPPORT, I’ve received conflicting recommendations as to what chain brand to use and why. Are there any meaningful differences between chains, and does the chain you use really matter? Sean Sean, A bike is a sum of its parts, and it only takes one of those parts not interacting well with the others for the bike not to work well. Your chain is at the heart of your drivetrain and is crucial to powering your bike forward and to shifting performance; therefore, compatibility and durability are a must, and mechanical serviceability is a consideration as well. In other words, what chain you use can really matter. Compatibility: One might think that chain compatibility would be as simple as finding a chain made for the number of gears as you have on your rear cassette. There was a time when that was pretty much true. However, with the advent of the 10-speed drivetrain found on most road and tri bikes today, tolerances and spacing became so tight that chains have become more brand-specific. Shimano and SRAM 10-speed-compatible chains tend to be very close to 5.9mm wide, while Campagnolo 10-speed-compatible chains are a little
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wider at 6.1mm. While 0.2mm is a pretty small number, it can be a meaningful number. At certain chain angles, if your chain is too wide or too narrow for the drivetrain it is being used on, the likelihood of the chain catching on the other teeth in the drivetrain and creating skipping, noise or inconsistent operation will be higher. If you want guaranteed compatibility, you should stick with the same brand of chain, derailleurs and shift levers. This said, as long as the dimensions are very similar, chain brands are often interchangeable. SRAM 10-speed chains share the same width as Shimano and usually work interchangeably. Wippermann makes two widths of its Connex chains: “S” labeled models (10SO, for example) designed to be compatible with Shimano; and non-S series (1008, for example) chains designed to work with Campagnolo. Durability: The old adage of a chain only being as strong as its weakest link is true; all it takes is one pin or link to fail and your bike will come to a stop in a hurry. Usually, this weakest link is the chain’s master link or pin, which can sometimes be compromised at installation or simply may not be as strong as the permanent links surrounding it. All of the chains from the established builders are reliable; however, if you have to pick a weakest link, the mas-
ter pins that Shimano chains use seem to be a bit more finicky than the rest. This said, we still recommend Shimano chains frequently as they shift exceptionally well when used with other Shimano components and the failure rate, when properly installed, is still low. When it comes to how long the chain lasts, every rider has his or her own maintenance and wear patterns that affect the stretch and service life of the chain. The cleaner and better lubricated you keep your drivetrain, the longer the chain will last. This said, I’ve seen powerful riders stretch 10-speed chains to the point of needing replacement in less than 1200 miles, while lighter riders can often go well above 2000 miles. Higher-quality chains will often use nickel or even stainless steel in their construction to increase resistance to stretching, and some models even offer weight-saving features like hollow pins. Wippermann offers the broadest range of material and coating options—even offering a $400 titanium chain. Serviceability: If you only remove your chain to replace it, ease of removal will not matter much; however, if you like to remove your chain for cleaning or servicing, some chains are easier than others. Nine- and 10speed chains made by Wippermann offer a removable and reusable Connex link, while SRAM chains offer a removable and reusable PowerLink on their nine-speed chains and a single-use PowerLink on their 10-speed chains. Shimano and Campagnolo chains attach with special single-use pins, and Campagnolo says that its pin has to be installed with a special (and pricey) chain breaker. You can replace Campagnolo and Shimano’s one-time use pins with an aftermarket master link (like Forster’s SuperLink) that allows you to remove the chain without having to install a new pin. Forster also makes a replaceable SuperLink to replace SRAM’s single-use PowerLink. There are a few models of SuperLink available, and it is important to use a model that is compatible with your chain. Enjoy the ride and train hard and smart! Ian Ian Buchanan is co-owner of Fit Werx. Fit Werx has locations in Waitsfield, Vt., and Peabody, Mass., and offers cycling and triathlon products, specialty fitting and analysis services, consultation and technology research. Fit Werx can be reached in Vermont at 802-496-7570, in Mass. at 978-5327348 or through the Web at fitwerx.com. T R I AT H L E T E M A G . C O M
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TRAINING TECH SUPPORT