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Product Review: Fixie chain price vs quality

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  1.  
    asked a few lbs's but I can tell they usually want to pimp their own products.

    for fixed geared bikes, is there a large difference in quality between say a $50 chain and a $10 chain? what are the best and worst brands? Loud/quiet chains?

    All I've really heard is that the SRAM PC-1 is absolute shiit. I have a KMC Z chain and it makes a bit of noise, but it's not crazy.
    /
    I was entertaining the idea of buying the new Gusset Badger SS-Pro chain eventually. it's $35. dumb? Smart?
    • CommentAuthorgiosSR215
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2009
     
    What are you trying to do with the bike? Race or everyday commuter?

    Racing I would go with a DID chain or an HKK.

    Street riding and commuting just but another KMC and grease it good.
  3.  
    Go with the low end 25 dollar izumi chain. It is quiet and won't stretch.
  4.  
    no racing just commuting... somewhere between 10 and 30 miles a day. oh yeah, I'm looking for a 3/32 chain forgot to mention that

    anywho, mainly concerned about the headline question, do high-end chains make a difference over cheap ones (for commuting)?
    • CommentAuthorgiosSR215
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2009
     
    you won't notice a difference if you are just commuting 10-30 miles a day
    • CommentAuthornexus6
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2009
     
    If you want 3/32, KMC make good single speed chains. I've used them before with no hassles.
  8.  
    KMC 410 heavy bmx chain

    or KMC Drop Buster.

    I've used both, doing sprocket grinds and generally treating them like shit on my BMX ride and I believe they are avaliable in 1/8 and 3/32
  9.  
    Posted By: RideEverydayKMC 410 heavy bmx chain

    or KMC Drop Buster.

    I've used both, doing sprocket grinds and generally treating them like shit on my BMX ride and I believe they are avaliable in 1/8 and 3/32


    yeah I think that's what I have now, the Z410 heavy BMX chain. can't find it in the narrower 3/32 version though.

    Let me throw this question out there... does more money generally mean a quieter ride? seems to me, it's prob more like stems... in that most of the expensive ones are needlessly overpriced.
    • CommentAuthorthe rabbi
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2009
     
    a quiet chain is not necessarily a good chain.
    if you go to a velodrome and listen to every time the pack comes around, they're chains are LOUD.
    i have the izumi super toughness and it isn't quiet.

    and you dudes realize if you're riding those shitty $10-20 chains you should really be replacing them every 3-4 months.
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2009 edited
     
    $8 for a kmc z410 is probably the best price to quality ratio in chains. A super toughness is a better chain but 6-8 times better to justify the 6-8 times greater cost, probably not. This is the same story as every other bike component, every jump up in quality costs an even greater jump in price. Its just a matter of how much you want to spend to squeeze every drop of performance
  12.  
    hell, I can stretch a z chain out in a couple rides. Slinky chains hahahaha. Again- the cheap izumi track chain. Strong and quiet for 25 bucks.
  13.  
    Don't use a Z Chain then. I'm talking about the tough BMX chains that can take lots of abuse. No chain is stretch proof, and besides, tougher single speed chains rarely snap or whatever. If you keep it lubed and you're just commuting then a cheap chain is fine. People get it in their heads that Campag this and Dura Ace that is the only way to go. Sure, they make nice stuff, but most riders don't need or utilize the bike they have to it's potential. Buy a cheap BMX chain, use it, replace it, whatever. I'm sure you'll be just as happy with it as an Izumi or whatever else.
    • CommentAuthorbionnaki
    • CommentTimeApr 30th 2009
     
    quality/inexpensive chains:

    kmc kool 710
    wipperman white star 108
    kmc z510hx or z610hx (for 3/32)
  15.  
    KMC 610HX (Drop buster) is like $15 at dans comp....

    Wanna spend more go up to that isumi for $25...

    Wanna spend more..............
  16.  
    I use a KMC Z chain on my fixies. It works great if you keep it oiled, but I end up replacing it once a year due to stretch. At 8-10 bucks its not bad.
  17.  
    Posted By: floggingdavyI use a KMC Z chain on my fixies. It works great if you keep it oiled, but I end up replacing it once a year due to stretch. At 8-10 bucks its not bad.


    +1
  18.  
    Best bang for the buck is a KMC K710. $10.45 shipped at Tree Fort Bikes. They also have an Izumi Eco for $12.99 shipped.
  19.  
    replace a chain once a year?
    am i doing something wrong cause if i buy a kmc chain they end up strching and breaking in about three weeks to a month
    • CommentAuthorcloud
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009
     
    in my experience, (commuting, 1 or 2 road group rides a week, skidding) z chains suck. i can go through 3 or 4 a year. the only reason i bought the last few was because i was in a pinch and my lbs always had them in stock and cheap (and white). i'm out with a separated shoulder but i'm going to take the izumi recommendation for when i'm saddle ready here hopefully soon.
    • CommentAuthorcloud
    • CommentTimeAug 22nd 2009
     
    Posted By: hardsole5280Go with the low end 25 dollar izumi chain. It is quiet and won't stretch.


    are you referring to the Izumi "eco track chain" found below for $18.99 or another...
    http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1486_1487&products_id=384&zenid=d110aef07b3bab22ea4f6ce6f957adad

    anybody have experience with the KMC "superlight kool" chain below for $22.99 is it just an overpriced "kool looking" chain?
    http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1486_1488&products_id=3045&zenid=d110aef07b3bab22ea4f6ce6f957adad
  22.  
    Posted By: scottybonesssreplace a chain once a year?
    am i doing something wrong cause if i buy a kmc chain they end up strching and breaking in about three weeks to a month


    If you are breaking your chain every three weeks, something you are doing is SERIOUSLY wrong. VERY seriously wrong. For all I know though, you are doing sprocket grinds or some shit.
    • CommentAuthorthe rabbi
    • CommentTimeAug 23rd 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: cloud
    Posted By: hardsole5280Go with the low end 25 dollar izumi chain. It is quiet and won't stretch.


    are you referring to the Izumi "eco track chain" found below for $18.99 or another...
    @ ben's

    anybody have experience with the KMC "superlight kool" chain below for $22.99 is it just an overpriced "kool looking" chain?
    @ ben's
    $18.99 + shipping = $25 at your LBS. i can vouch for these chains.
    • CommentAuthorcloud
    • CommentTimeAug 25th 2009
     
    right on thanks!
    • CommentAuthortrackcandi
    • CommentTimeSep 30th 2009
     
    Ive got a 3/32 KMC and I dont think you could find a better chain for 10 bucks
  26.  
    Man. I've only ever broken a chain once, on a downhill bomb, pedaling a branch through the drive train.

    Since the primary form of wear ("stretch") is wear on the rollers, I can totally see how different alloys would give different live spans. But that's from the number of times each roller goes over another surface unlubed. Keep a chain lubed and you'll lengthen the life of the whole drive train. Don't use grease — grit sticks to it. I use Tri-Flow because it's a light oil with PTFE that you can wipe clean and lubing washes crud out of the rollers. In the winter, I use a chain cleaner, then relube with Tri-Flow.

    I've tried White Lightning and I'm pretty sure it's bullshit. It might be good on a track, but there's just too much crud for it to stay on in the real world.
    • CommentAuthorsfbee
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    Posted By: Joshua A.C. Newman
    I've tried White Lightning and I'm pretty sure it's bullshit. It might be good on a track, but there's just too much crud for it to stay on in the real world.


    I switched over to purple extreme a couple months ago, after using white lightning for quite some time. With white lightning I found myself constantly having to re-lubricate, more often than I have with purple extreme. I will give white lightning credit for keeping the drive train fairly clean, though purple extreme seems to be doing an equally good job of it.
  28.  
    I've been using White Lightning for years because it was the first lube I bought when I started doing my own bike work. At the time I was living in hot/dry LA and riding about seven miles per day. Now I'm in raining for four months straight Oregon and riding about ten miles per day. I've not given new lube it a lot of thought until now.

    BTW: White Lightning and Purple Extreme... You couldn't make up jokier names.
  29.  
    Green Flame!

    Orange Maximum Power Transfer!

    Etc.
    • CommentAuthorsfbee
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    Not just white lightning, but white lightning epic ride
  31.  
    It's all just semen to me.
    • CommentAuthorsfbee
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    You might need to see a doctor if you're able to lubricate your chain with your baby batter.

    Maintaining your drive train has never been more fun!
  33.  
    Except when you get the tip of your penis caugh-- gsrkhgsrlhglshglsrhgslrgywsorlkngsa,gysr

    ... when you have an accident!
    • CommentAuthorfilthpunx
    • CommentTimeOct 1st 2009
     
    Posted By: cloud
    Posted By: hardsole5280Go with the low end 25 dollar izumi chain. It is quiet and won't stretch.


    are you referring to the Izumi "eco track chain" found below for $18.99 or another...
    http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1486_1487&products_id=384&zenid=d110aef07b3bab22ea4f6ce6f957adad

    anybody have experience with the KMC "superlight kool" chain below for $22.99 is it just an overpriced "kool looking" chain?
    http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_1486_1488&products_id=3045&zenid=d110aef07b3bab22ea4f6ce6f957adad

    i ride the superlight kool chain, i love it
  35.  
    KMC bushingless there bomb!
  36.  
    Purple Extreme, huh? I'll give it a shot. I'm awfully dehydrated from the White Lightning.
    • CommentAuthorBoss Chiz
    • CommentTimeNov 11th 2009
     
    i believe that the tension a chain is under will contribute to the sound produced. If you ride it super tight then it's noisier than when it loosens. Also the type of lube can affect sound level; we use Rohloff (Oil of Rohloff) and its slightly sticky going over the teeth of the ring and sprocket- it makes a kinda sucky sound as the chain rolls off the teeth. tasty.
    • CommentAuthorRood
    • CommentTimeNov 13th 2009
     
    Posted By: scottybonesssreplace a chain once a year?
    am i doing something wrong cause if i buy a kmc chain they end up strching and breaking in about three weeks to a month


    yes
    • CommentAuthorjerome
    • CommentTime3 days ago
     
    why are SRAM pc-1's absolute shit?
    • CommentAuthorsoulbyte
    • CommentTime2 days ago
     
    I use the KMC Superlight and like it. Haven't had any problems yet except for a little stretch. It was extremely quiet when I first put it on but after the first 40 miles or so you can hear a little noise. Nothing loud enough to concern you though.

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