Forum | The Chain

Gentlemen,

No, I do not wish to discuss that fine Fleetwood Mac piece of music of the same name. Instead, I would like to open the forum to one of the most crucial and fundamental parts of our beloved machines; The chain.

I noticed my chain start to clunk and slip during my super-intense (yeah, right!) New Forest Rattler training ride yesterday. After the ride I gave the Guv a good scrub and noticed this crack in the chain.

What are the best chains you can fit to a Guv? I haven’t done that many miles on my bike and rather than just have a link replaced thought it wiser that I replace it with a new one. Maybe some brands are better than others? Any thoughts Gentlemen?

Also as I don’t cycle my Guv in the rain, I like using a dry lubricant. Can anyone recommend a particular variety?

Warm regards

Rich

Sir, I do not have the power of a steam locomotive, you will see for yourself come Sunday!

I have never broken a chain before, and one of the reasons that I was drawn to the Guv’nor was its rugged simplicity. Alas, my run of bad luck continues; I have fought off vipers and rattling water bottle holders… but maybe with a new chain I will enjoy many miles of fault free riding!

I do understand your point that these are consumables, but I have not done many miles on it.

Cheers

Rich

Sir, I agree with you about single speed machines being tougher on chains (and legs lol). 

I have never bought a new chain (and attempted to fit one!) before. But I suppose it will be the perfect excuse for me to cop out of the Rattler! Part of me wishes I never bothered to clean the Guv’nor so far in advance of the ride. Normally, I would just give the tyres a quick kick 2 minutes before departure…

Coincidently, I have been using the same Finish Line Ceramic Wax lube too. I also bought some Fenwicks Dry Lube also but have yet to use. I don’t ride in the wet, but am prepared to on Sunday… gulp…

Any suggestions as to where to purchase a replacement chain? I need someone who delivers pronto…

Also, does anyone know the specification of the chain?

Thanks again

Rich

Rich Sir.… So close to an event, I’d not pick this moment to learn how to fix chains (though to be honest its pretty straightforward), … but do you have a chain tool etc ?…

… if I were you, this close to an event, I’d swallow some pride and visit your Local Bike shop, and get them to put you a new chain on (would take them about 2mins, and that includes the tutting and snide comments time)

… as for checking before hand, lucky you did Sir, its not a lot of fun sitting on the side of the road in sportive waiting for the broom wagon, there is no way that chain would have survived even another 2 or 3 miles by the look of it !

(ps I do actually carry a little mini chain tool with me, so actually you wouldnt have been waiting, I’d have shortened your chaiin by 1 link to get you back on the road )

MGcC

I have just replaced mine with a Wippermann 1G8. This is meant for a BMX but I liked the vintage look it gives, and I don’t think it will ever snap you could tow a car with it!

Advantage – looks great with the flat sided links, width, and it’s strength.

Disadvantage – Price, you will need 2 for the Guvnor as one is not long enough, and it’s a pain to split and join as it is so wide.

Although I agree with Mr MGCycleChap for your issue you only need a chain link connector to get back on the road.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wipper.….eed-chain/

Post edited 10:27 am — Aug 16, 2011 by Rich Senior

Thank you Gentlemen for your helpful advice.

I am going to go and pickup a new KMC Z510 HX chain (or maybe two) from Charlie the Bikemonger. I will attempt fitting this to my Guv, if it all goes pear shaped I’ll wheel it round to a local cycle hire place and ask them to do it. I know I could just replace the dodgy link connector, but my guess is the damaged rear cog may have weakened the whole chain, so I am going to play safe. £11.50 for a new chain is pretty affordable, I will pickup a spare connector too as well.

I am rather tempted by Mr Irobot’s mighty fine Wippermann 1G8 chain though… That looks like it would take some stick… and looks the part too. Gosh this man has a great eye for detail! But the management would probably have a hissy fit if I spent that much…

Edit: Thank you Mr. Adam, I will have a look at Mr. Brown’s musings, looks interesting.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again

Rich

One & All,

Well if the old adage of “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link” needs any proof this is it!

Why Pashley fit a half descent KMC chain and then use a poor quality TAYA connecting link is beyond me, why not fit a link of the same make and quality?

Out of interest, my wife’s Pashley Princess Sovereign is fitted (original equipment), with a Wippermann chain and spring clip connecting link.

Safe rides, DW.

Post edited 8:17 pm — Aug 16, 2011 by MGCycleChap

Gentlemen… anybody now how many links in a Guvnor chain ?

… I just fitted a lovely slick SRAM chain to my single speed Plug Racer, took off a half link Charge Masher chain which looked the part but ran like a tractor…

MGcC

(edit… Rich Sir, I checked my chain and its a KMC chain and its got a rubbish TAYA connector as well.… so I think Pashley are for some bizare reason using them as OE)

Interesting that they use TAYA connectors, maybe they are easier to assemble?

Mr. Wheeler, to keep things simple, which suits me, I didn’t use any connecting link. So I didn’t need to worry about the direction of rotation. I know this will make things more difficult when I need to remove it, but I have a clip on chain scrubber to use when it gets too grubby. Because the chains are affordable I think I will try and replace the chain quite frequently too, especially as my bike is a single speed model.

Warm regards

Rich