Chain

Vincent Patrick said:

Hi,

I have an 8 speed SORA road bike used for commuting. After having clocked up
about 4,000 to 4,500 km the bike has no problems with skipping cogs,
changing gears, or too many noises, but the chain has reached the point
where 10 links are 256 mm in length, instead of the pristine 254 mm.

Is it time to get a new chain? If so, is it better to get a non-Shimano
chain that would have a removable link?

not only better.. but usually cheaper too.

Vincent Patrick said:

I have an 8 speed SORA road bike used for commuting. After having clocked up
about 4,000 to 4,500 km the bike has no problems with skipping cogs,
changing gears, or too many noises, but the chain has reached the point
where 10 links are 256 mm in length, instead of the pristine 254 mm.

Is it time to get a new chain?

I would say yes. That's only a 0.7% stretch, so you probably won't need a
new cluster. IIRC you should ideally replace it at about 0.5% stretch.

Quoted message said:

If so, is it better to get a non-Shimano
chain that would have a removable link?

Definitely. SRAM's is cheap and popular.

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw

Vincent Patrick said:

Hi,

I have an 8 speed SORA road bike used for commuting. After having clocked up
about 4,000 to 4,500 km the bike has no problems with skipping cogs,
changing gears, or too many noises, but the chain has reached the point
where 10 links are 256 mm in length, instead of the pristine 254 mm.

Is it time to get a new chain? If so, is it better to get a non-Shimano
chain that would have a removable link?

Not necessarily, some people are big fans of removable links, and they
have their uses, but they're not necessary unless you plan on removing
and refitting your chain (rare at best, unless you're an old-school
chain cleaner or a tracky).

Depends on cost, I'd suggest, whatever your LBS has in stock at the
right price.

Hi,

Thanks for your helpful comments, guys. I would have thought getting a new
SORA compatible chain would be fairly simple and cheap, but no.

I went to the LBS, and the guy seemed to suggest that mixing Shimano and
other (non-HG?) components would make shifting more difficult. They didn't
have a suitable 8 speed chain anyway.

It was a bit hilarious, because the conversation went something like: new
chain -> new chain + cassette -> new groupset -> new bike.

Anyway, if I don't have some luck soon, it might end up being a win for
on-line shopping.

Cheers,

Vince

Vincent Patrick said:

Hi,

Thanks for your helpful comments, guys. I would have thought getting a new
SORA compatible chain would be fairly simple and cheap, but no.

I went to the LBS, and the guy seemed to suggest that mixing Shimano and
other (non-HG?) components would make shifting more difficult. They didn't
have a suitable 8 speed chain anyway.

That's bunk. Find a new LBS.

Bleve said:

Vincent Patrick said:

Hi,

Thanks for your helpful comments, guys. I would have thought getting a new
SORA compatible chain would be fairly simple and cheap, but no.

I went to the LBS, and the guy seemed to suggest that mixing Shimano and
other (non-HG?) components would make shifting more difficult. They didn't
have a suitable 8 speed chain anyway.

That's bunk. Find a new LBS.

btw, a sora 8sp chain should be around $30-$35 depending on the LBS.