Chains and Cassettes

Doki said:

Currently got a Sach's / SRAM 8 speed cassette on the back
of my bike, and a knackered no name chain. No amount of
adjustment is fixing the downshifts, so I reckon it's time
to replace both. Am I correct in thinking SRAM gear is
longer lasting than Shimano? Am I going to need a chain
tool to get the new chain on? Are the more expensive
chains more durable or lighter or what?

Couldn't say which chains/cogs last the best (still using
the nice 7speed Sachs Aris screw-on hub on my main road-
tourer...).

Chains - Sachs PC-series chains include a "powerlink"
which can be closed by hand, and opened without a chain
tool (though I find it needs a pair of pliers). I believe
that Shimano chains need a chain tool and the appropriate
link pins.

You'll need a chainwhip to remove the old cassette. If you
don't want to purchase one, they can easily be made using a
bit of old cycle chain and an approx 18inch length of
rectangular mild-steel bar. Drill a hole near the edge of
the bar, about 4in from one end. Attach the chain to this
hold (which does need a chain tool, or hammer and drift).

--
NC - Webmaster for 2mm.org.uk2mm.org.ukOpen ↗ Replies to
newsgroup postings to the newsgroup please.

Doki said:

Currently got a Sach's / SRAM 8 speed cassette on the back
of my bike, and a knackered no name chain. No amount of
adjustment is fixing the downshifts, so I reckon it's time
to replace both.

Knackered chains and cassettes still usually shift ok so I
expect something else is wrong as well.

Quoted message said:

Am I correct in thinking SRAM gear is longer lasting than
Shimano?

Dunno.

Quoted message said:

Am I going to need a chain tool to get the new chain on?

The same ordinary decent tool will get old one off and
new one on.

Quoted message said:

Are the more expensive chains more durable or lighter
or what?

Durabilty is debateable. With SRAM, mostly the more
expensive ones just look nicer. Only a few of the top end
ones save (a small amount of) weight by using hollow pins
or slots in the plates. SRAM PC58 is a good middling one to
go for, IMO.

~PB

NC said:

.....PC-series chains include a "powerlink" which can be
closed by hand, and opened without a chain tool.......

Note: Tool is still required to shorten the chain to the
required length in the first place.

SRAM Powerlinks can be used with Shimano chains too -- even
though SRAM & Shimano don't recommend it.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

Doki said:

Currently got a Sach's / SRAM 8 speed cassette on the
back of my bike, and a knackered no name chain. No amount
of adjustment is fixing the downshifts, so I reckon it's
time to replace both.

Knackered chains and cassettes still usually shift ok so I
expect something else is wrong as well.

I've just been and had a look, and it seems to be shifting
relatively well now, not instantaneous, more like a couple
of turns of the pedals. Perhaps I'm expecting too? I think
I'll wait until it dies to put on a new chain and cassette.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Are the more expensive chains more durable or lighter
or what?

Durabilty is debateable. With SRAM, mostly the more
expensive ones just look nicer. Only a few of the top end
ones save (a small amount of) weight by using hollow pins
or slots in the plates. SRAM PC58 is a good middling one
to go for, IMO.

Cheap too 🙂.

Pete Biggs said:

Knackered chains and cassettes still usually shift ok so I
expect something else is wrong as well.

I was complaining to my ride partner that my shifts were
rather intermittent and unreliable and sometimes it would
shift without being asked!!!

Few miles later, strutting my stuff up a 1 in 6, my
chain snaps.

I'm sure there is a link (ooh thats a bad pun).

Regards, Mark

Pete Biggs:

Quoted message said:

Note: Tool is still required to shorten the chain to the
required length in the first place.

Yes, indeed - assuming the chain is long enough in the first
place. My new SRAM chain I fitted recently was actually a
link shorter than the chain it replaced! This made no
practical difference but it was slightly disconcerting as I
had been expecting to have to shorten the new chain.

Quoted message said:

SRAM Powerlinks can be used with Shimano chains too --
even though SRAM & Shimano don't recommend it.

Is there any genuine concern for compatibility behind this
recommendation, or is it purely commercial? I know which way
I'd bet if I had to put money on it...

d.

davek said:

Quoted message said:

SRAM Powerlinks can be used with Shimano chains too --
even though SRAM & Shimano don't recommend it.

Is there any genuine concern for compatibility behind this
recommendation, or is it purely commercial? I know which
way I'd bet if I had to put money on it...

I'd say it's probably the usual case of over-caution from
the makers. But there could be some genuine concern behind
it because chain widths and shapes vary slightly even when
the "speed" is the same. Fair enough, busting a chain is
potentially very serious.

I've used a Sachs 8sp Powerlink with a HGwhateveritwas with
no problems at all, same with a SRAM 9sp Powerlink with
Campag 9sp chain, and I've read of many cases of Powerlinks
working "fine" with $himaNO 9sp chain. Just the occasional
complaint is posted about them being noisy or something but
you always get a few wild 'n' weird reports about every
component.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

davek said:

Quoted message said:

SRAM Powerlinks can be used with Shimano chains too --
even though SRAM & Shimano don't recommend it.

Is there any genuine concern for compatibility behind
this recommendation, or is it purely commercial? I know
which way I'd bet if I had to put money on it...

I'd say it's probably the usual case of over-caution from
the makers. But there could be some genuine concern behind
it because chain widths and shapes vary slightly even when
the "speed" is the same. Fair enough, busting a chain is
potentially very serious.

I've used a Sachs 8sp Powerlink with a HGwhateveritwas
with no problems at all, same with a SRAM 9sp Powerlink
with Campag 9sp chain, and I've read of many cases of
Powerlinks working "fine" with $himaNO 9sp chain.

I have used a 9spd powerlink with a HGmumble chain (also
9spd). I started to do this after having (broken link)
problems from splitting and rejoining a 9spd shimano chain
without using the insert you are supposed to (didn't realise
there was one at the time). Now I just use sram chains

best wishes