3/16 Chains?

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link for
a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
twice as large as a 3/32.

They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
popularity level is like currently in that area.

Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.

But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
and just use a halflink chain? $$$

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link for
a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
common and cheap for 1/8 chain.
3/16 is a 'heavy duty' option for flatland and other abused bikes.
18 and 3/16 will run on both 'road' and 'track' equipment. 3/32 can't
use normal 1/8 track cogs and rings, must use the optional 'skinny' stuff.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

A Muzi said:

1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
common and cheap for 1/8 chain.

When you say "track chain", do you mean regular $5 chain, the stuff
that was just "bicycle chain" before our pristine shores were tainted
by derailleurs? Or do you mean some kind of pista-specific chain?

Chalo

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link for
a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

I used 1/8" for my two fixies. 3/16" is a (niche) BMX thing, and fairly
hard to find parts for in a hurry.

Quoted message said:

A Muzi said:

1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
common and cheap for 1/8 chain.

Chalo said:

When you say "track chain", do you mean regular $5 chain, the stuff
that was just "bicycle chain" before our pristine shores were tainted
by derailleurs? Or do you mean some kind of pista-specific chain?

Right. I meant just regular 1/2 x 1/8 'three speed' or 'bmx' or 'track'
chain.
Running single setups with 3/32 chain is just more trouble, faster wear,
no advantage at all. And half-links are rare for most commonly
available 3/32 chain.
Of course real Keirin chain is nice, just not necessary.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

A Muzi said:

1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
common and cheap for 1/8 chain.

It is also versatile, being able to work with cogs and chainrings
intended for either 3/32" or 1/8" width. This means there are a lot more
parts available to you in a pinch.

--

John ([email hidden])

Nate Knutson said:

On Aug 31, 4:14 pm, "Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®"

Quoted message said:

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link for
a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
twice as large as a 3/32.

They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
popularity level is like currently in that area.

Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.

But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
and just use a halflink chain? $$$

Wasn't there also the 3/16 X 1 inch chain used with the skip tooth sprockets-an old standard that died out in the 40s or 50s, or did the BMX folks adapt the old standard?

Did the BMX folks use the 3/16x1 or 3/16x 1/2?

On Sep 2, 2:56 am, meb <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Nate Knutson said:

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and

single

Quoted message said:

speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a

half-link for

Quoted message said:

a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16.

TIA..

Quoted message said:

It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
twice as large as a 3/32.

Quoted message said:

They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
popularity level is like currently in that area.

Quoted message said:

Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.

Quoted message said:

But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
and just use a halflink chain? $$$

Wasn't there also the 3/16 X 1 inch chain used with the skip tooth
sprockets-an old standard that died out in the 40s or 50s, or did the
BMX folks adapt the old standard?

Did the BMX folks use the 3/16x1 or 3/16x 1/2?

--
meb

i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
true that is.

Nate Knutson said:

i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
true that is.

The 1" pitch stuff was for track use.

Zog The Undeniable said:

Nate Knutson said:

i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
true that is.

The 1" pitch stuff was for track use.

Dear Zog,

Inch-pitch skip-tooth chain was the original chain used on most
bicycles back in the 1890's.

Block versus roller is another exciting complication for those who
grow dizzy when pondering ancient minutiae:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/fff7c6fd3203d004

As Frank Berto pointed out in the quote near the end of that post,
half-inch became more and more popular from about 1900 onward.

Some examples of inch-pitch skip-tooth . . .

Here's the Latimer treadle bicycle, whose weird twin front sprockets
show the skip-tooth spacing of inch-pitch:

http://i9.tinypic.com/4taqys4.jpg

Here's an 1890 Victor safety--you can see the skip blocks in the chain
just behind the pedal:

http://www.nostalgic.net/pictures/1674.htm

Here are some skip-tooth sprockets from an 1890's tandem:

http://www.nostalgic.net/index.asp?S=arc/pre1920/1890%27s+Tandem+parts+3%2Ejpg

Skip-tooth on 1893 Elliott Hickory (wooden spoke):

http://www.nostalgic.net/pictures/1649.htm

A 1900's child's bicycle with skip-tooth front sprocket visible:

http://www.nostalgic.net/index.asp?S=arc/pre1920/1900%27s+childs+bike+2%2Ejpg

The original inch-pitch chain was gradually replaced by modern
half-inch pitch chain from 1900 onward. The last holdouts to use
inch-pitch were track bikes, whose riders sometimes justified their
retro preference with the amusing claim that only inch-pitch could
stand up to their powerful legs.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ® said:

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and

single

Quoted message said:

speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a

half-link for

Quoted message said:

a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16.

Quoted message said:

Nate Knutson said:

It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
twice as large as a 3/32.

They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
popularity level is like currently in that area.

Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.

But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
and just use a halflink chain? $$$

meb said:

Wasn't there also the 3/16 X 1 inch chain used with the skip tooth
sprockets-an old standard that died out in the 40s or 50s, or did the
BMX folks adapt the old standard?
Did the BMX folks use the 3/16x1 or 3/16x 1/2?

flatland bikes still use 1/2 x 3/16.
The 1" x 3/16 replaced block chain and is a rare animal nowadays.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Quoted message said:

Nate Knutson wrote

Quoted message said:

i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
true that is.

Zog The Undeniable said:

The 1" pitch stuff was for track use.

Well, yes it lingered on the track. As did steel cranks, steel stems and
other things, merely by trackies' conservatism, after most cyclists
abandoned them. All were once found on regular coaster brake bikes, too
and not all that long ago (50~60 years)
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971