New Chain

On Wed, 11 May 2005 20:03:54 GMT, "marts" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

How much should I looking to pay for a local bike shop to take an old rusty
chain and replace it with a new chain on a Saracen Mountain Bike?

I've looked in to doing it myself, but don't have the necessary tools,

Do it yourself. You can buy a chain tool very cheaply. Mike Dyason
will sell you one,with free delivery for £1.99 (although it would be
friendly to add a couple of extra bits so they aren't going to the
trouble for a 2 quid sale).

http://www.mwdyason.ltd.uk/shop.asp?no_category=23&text_company=TOOLS

You can spend more on a flasher tool of you choose, plenty to choose
from for around tenner or so from the usual online stores, but the
Dyason one is perfectly adequate for home use.

Then you just need to buy a new chain, which again can be had online
for about a tenner, or more if you want a posh/lighter one.

Changing the chain is very straightforward and there are good
instructions here:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml#chain

If you need advice on choosing a chain (what type you need) or more
help with the job itself, then post again and we can sort you out.

"Bob"

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Quoted message said:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml#chain

If you need advice on choosing a chain (what type you need) or more
help with the job itself, then post again and we can sort you out.

"Bob"

Hi Bob,

Thanks for replying. I might give it a try myself then. I have no idea what
kind of chain I need (sorry), what information do you need off me? I use the
bike 1-2 times per week - so it doesn't get heavily used. Therefore I'm only
after a fairly cheap chain that doesn't necessarily need to be lightweight.

Where would be a good place to get a chain from.

Thanks for your help
Martin

On Wed, 11 May 2005 20:47:35 GMT, "marts" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Thanks for replying. I might give it a try myself then. I have no idea what
kind of chain I need (sorry), what information do you need off me?

The only important bit is getting a chain which is the appropriate
width for the hardware on your bike. Modern drivetrains use 9 or 10
speed cassettes, and to fit them in everything is that bit narrower,
chain included.

How many separate cogs does your bike have in the rear gear cluster?
If it is 6, 7 or 8 then you'll need a 7/8 speed chain. If you're
running 9 or 10 then you'll need a chain to match.

Look here at Wiggle:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/CategoryProducts.aspx?Cat=cycle&w=0&CategoryName=Chains

Someone else recently asked for advice on chains and the group's
almost universal advice was to go for a SRAM chain. Particularly the
SRAM PC58, which is an 8 speed chain (it's probably that an 8 speed is
what you'll need, but do check).

SRAM chains (usually) come with a Powerlink, this a clever little
link which you can use to join, and then in future break open again,
the chain without the need for the chain tool.

Not all retailers include the Powerlink in with the chain though, so
it's best to ask them before buying, although they are only a quid or
so to buy separately.

If you choose something other than a SRAM chain, you can still fit (an
appropriately 8 or 9 speed sized) Powerlink to another brand of chain.
Given the small cost and extra convenience this provides, it's well
worth doing.

Quoted message said:

Where would be a good place to get a chain from.

Wiggle offer free delivery, as do Settle Cycles (once the bill is a
tenner):

http://www.settlecycles.co.uk

"Bob"

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On Wed, 11 May 2005 20:47:35 GMT, "marts" <[email hidden]>

wrote in message : said:

Thanks for replying. I might give it a try myself then. I have no idea what
kind of chain I need (sorry), what information do you need off me?

A SRAM PC-58 with Powerlink is best IMO as long as you have 7 or 8
speed at the back; any less (or more) and you need something else.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ have them for a tenner at the moment, but
that will probably be sans powerlink. They are doing the PC-48 with
powerlink for £12; I haven't tried that one myself.

I bet Sandy gets 7/8 speed chains for a quid ;-)

Guy
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marts said:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for replying. I might give it a try myself then. I have no
idea what kind of chain I need (sorry), what information do you need
off me? I use the bike 1-2 times per week - so it doesn't get heavily
used. Therefore I'm only after a fairly cheap chain that doesn't
necessarily need to be lightweight.

How many sprockets on your back wheel?

I'd recommend SRAM PC41, PC48 or PC58 if you have between 5 and 8 cogs
(ie. 5 to 8-speed freewheel or cassette), or PC59 or similar for 9-speed.
Single-speed might require a different chain so tell us more about your
bike if that's what you have.

Quoted message said:

Where would be a good place to get a chain from.

Bike shop or online store such as Chain Reaction, Wiggle, Settle Cycles,
Parker International. Let's see which chain you need first.

~PB

Call me Bob said:

On Wed, 11 May 2005 20:47:35 GMT, "marts" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Where would be a good place to get a chain from.

Wiggle offer free delivery, as do Settle Cycles (once the bill is a
tenner):

I've been waiting nearly a fortnight for a chain to arrive from Settle :-(

John B

marts said:

How much should I looking to pay for a local bike shop to take an old
rusty chain and replace it with a new chain on a Saracen Mountain
Bike?

I guess £10 to £20 depending on chain.

Note that a new chain might not mesh with the freewheel/cassette and maybe
even the front chainrings if they've been well-worn by a well-used chain.
In that case, you'd have the choice of replacing the sprockets as well, or
continuing with the old chain* until it simply doesn't work without
skipping over sprocket teeth. But bear in mind that a worn chain will
wear out chainrings, and they're not cheap.

The way round this for next time is to replace the chain before it's too
worn.

* Soaking in oil will deal with rust.

Quoted message said:

I've looked in to doing it myself, but don't have the necessary tools,

I agree with Bob's advice on this.

~PB

Just zis Guy said:

A SRAM PC-58 with Powerlink is best IMO as long as you have 7 or 8
speed at the back; any less (or more) and you need something else.

I would expect "8-speed" chain to also work with 5 & 6-speed freewheels.

SRAM PC41 (8-speed) is £6.50 from Parker International: add 50p for
Powerlink + £2.50 postage.

~PB

In article <[email hidden]>,

Just zis Guy said:

I bet Sandy gets 7/8 speed chains for a quid ;-)

Being a typical miserly Scot I wouldn't dream of parting with so much
money - I would expect change from a quid!

--
A T (Sandy) Morton
on the Bicycle Island
In the Global Village
http://www.millport.net

in message <[email hidden]>, marts

(') said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml#chain

If you need advice on choosing a chain (what type you need) or more
help with the job itself, then post again and we can sort you out.

Thanks for replying. I might give it a try myself then. I have no idea
what kind of chain I need (sorry), what information do you need off
me? I use the bike 1-2 times per week - so it doesn't get heavily
used. Therefore I'm only after a fairly cheap chain that doesn't
necessarily need to be lightweight.

Unless your bike has nine or ten sprockets at the back you want an SRAM
PC48 or PC58. It should cost about £10 from any bike shop and should
come with an SRAM powerlink (make sure to ask for the powerlink because
some places sell them without). The advantage of the powerlink is that
you don't need any tools to take the chain off the bike and put it back
on again, which makes cleaning it *much* easier.

As someone upthread said, if the old chain was too worn it may have
knackered your cassette or even your chainrings, and if either are
knackered you should replace them because otherwise you'll knacker the
new chain. Knackered sprockets have teeth which look hooked like shark
fins, but with modern 'easy shifting' sprockets some of the teeth look
hooked anyway so if you aren't sure get your bike shop to have a look
at it.

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Pete Biggs' of said:

I'd recommend SRAM PC41, PC48 or PC58 if you have between 5 and 8 cogs
(ie. 5 to 8-speed freewheel or cassette), or PC59 or similar for 9-speed.
Single-speed might require a different chain so tell us more about your
bike if that's what you have.

Which of these for a 6-speed freewheel? I've just twigged that increased
mileage this year means I probably ought to change my chain soon.
--
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Frank Leahy
Steph Peters delete invalid from [email hidden]
Tatting, lace & stitching page <http://www.sandbenders.demon.co.uk/index.htm>

Steph Peters said:

Quoted message said:

I'd recommend SRAM PC41, PC48 or PC58 if you have between 5 and
8 cogs (ie. 5 to 8-speed freewheel or cassette), or PC59 or similar
for 9-speed. Single-speed might require a different chain so tell us
more about your bike if that's what you have.

Quoted message said:

Which of these for a 6-speed freewheel? I've just twigged that
increased mileage this year means I probably ought to change my chain
soon.

PC41, 48 or 58, I reckon. Best deal from Wiggle is PC58.

x-posted to rec.bicycles.tech to check "8-speed" chain is suitable for
6-speed freewheels.

~PB

marts said:

Where would be a good place to get a chain from.

Your LBS (Local Bike Shop). Don't be swayed by all those flashy internet
retailers. Support your LBS so it'll be there when you really need
something fixing.

(Note to self: try harder to take own advice)

Pete Biggs said:

Steph Peters said:

Quoted message said:

I'd recommend SRAM PC41, PC48 or PC58 if you have between 5 and
8 cogs (ie. 5 to 8-speed freewheel or cassette), or PC59 or

similar

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for 9-speed. Single-speed might require a different chain so tell

us

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

more about your bike if that's what you have.

Quoted message said:

Which of these for a 6-speed freewheel? I've just twigged that
increased mileage this year means I probably ought to change my

chain

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

soon.

PC41, 48 or 58, I reckon. Best deal from Wiggle is PC58.

x-posted to rec.bicycles.tech to check "8-speed" chain is suitable

for

Quoted message said:

6-speed freewheels.

~PB

Yes (as stated above)

Not Responding said:

Your LBS (Local Bike Shop). Don't be swayed by all those flashy internet
retailers. Support your LBS so it'll be there when you really need
something fixing.

(Note to self: try harder to take own advice)

Ha ha. Just because you live within a stone's throw of Wiggle, that
doesn't make it your LBS. OK?

Not Responding said:

Your LBS (Local Bike Shop). Don't be swayed by all those flashy internet
retailers. Support your LBS so it'll be there when you really need
something fixing.

This is true: web pricing is good, though, because if the LBS is more
than 10% or so above Wiggle then you know you're being ripped off.

I usually buy chains from the Bristow Cycle Repair Service of Reading
(open all hours, more or less), or from my LBS. By the time you add
shipping it's generally no dearer.

Guy
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88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at CHS, Puget Sound

you know? said:

Not Responding said:

Your LBS (Local Bike Shop). Don't be swayed by all those flashy internet
retailers. Support your LBS so it'll be there when you really need
something fixing.

also nice wo/man at LBS may let you use their chain guage.

Pete Biggs said:

x-posted to rec.bicycles.tech to check "8-speed" chain is suitable for
6-speed freewheels.

Yup. Works fine.

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