Chain advice

canada16

Hey

I look after my bike really well, and to be honest my cassett is still gleaming.

Now my chain is terrible, I have had it for over a year and its rusted as hell, I only lubed it last week.

Its prob the salt on the roads.

But what I was wondering, Do I need a new chain and if so whats good.

Got a 9speed.

Thanks guys.

Mattbot2

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=247

Looks decent enough.

supersonic

SRAM PC951 a good option.

Though if cassette is worn (or chainrings) it might not mesh properly.

pothole seeker

Is there much differnce between chains really? From a performance shifting point of view?

Apart from the joining methods that is. More mooney seems to get you hollow pins or fancy gold coloured ones with titanium this and that. Lighter I'm sure.

supersonic

Not really, the basic ones are usually just fine. Sometimes rust quicker (ie expensive ones have better coatings).

pothole seeker

it not like a shimano chain works better with a shimano cassette or anything like that.

sorry stupid questions I bet but I don't think I've ever come across it

supersonic

Shimano will tell you they will, and with the older IG stuff, maybe so. But most people prefer SRAM chains on any cassette!

There are certain components that I feel extra money doesn't buy much extra performance (to a point, a 1.99 chain probably not up to much). Chains are one of these items (along with stems, seatposts, grips, front mechs, chainrings...)

canada16

Because I commute and XC I need something that wont rust that easy under road salt.

I am going to give my bike a clean tonight, chain scrub wd-40 then Fenwicks then clean bike and soap chain and then dry and wd-40 again then with oil.

Sounds like way too much but the chain is yellow.

And dont want the salt eating at the paint.

pothole seeker

Hi Canada16

Do you have one of those chain cleaner devices? if not I'd get one and just clean your chain more often. Makes life very easy

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=12709
something like that.

Get a big bottle of Fenwicks FS-1 as I see you use and splash that into it. If it really bad put it in straight, give it a whirl for a while, even leave it for a few mins and come back for a second whirl.

Personally I rince off then by filling the chain cleaner up with water and whirrling again, repeat until sparkling! Let it dry and apply the lube of your choice. I use the finish wet lube stuff, there are so many choices now though.

pothole seeker

And thanks Supersonic for the info!

canada16

Hey

Thanks for that, but have used them before and always found the old toothbrush and elbow grease a real winner.

I dont mind how often I clean My bike, but my chain looks like its going to seize.

Might look into a hollow pin for x-mas or birthday soon after, also have said in my post I use fenwicks so I am already there, one step ahead.

Fenwicks rules, but it does not keep my chain from rusting, so wd-40 should do the trick. Hopefully.

Thanks again guys

The Spiderman

The WD 40 is too thin and more of a water displacer not a proper chain lube.You need to get some Finish Line wet lube,or a proper chain lube.At this time of year a wet lube is better that isn`t washed off so easily.

http://www.awcycles.co.uk/brands/Finish%20Line/Wet%20Lubricant/12316/index.aspx

BlackSpur

Agreed, you need to use a proper lube. I wouldn't bother with a hollow pin as they aren't as strong as regular chains and are very expensive. Chains are sundry items really - it will wear out everntually and a 15 quid chain may well wear out at a similar if not the same rate to a 50 quid chain.

canada16

Sorry forgot to mention, final touch white lightning wet after the wd-40.

Just finished, if my chain goes rusty again, I think its time for a new one, im freezing, but my bike looks good for now.

Underscore

FWIW, I use KMC X8/9 on my bikes (3 for £30 from merlin when I bought some a couple of months back). Lubed with Finish Line Wet Lube on the commuter, when I remove any excess with a cloth, it leaves enough of a coating on the chain to prevent any rust, in my experience, even when riding on the saltiest of roads (which I do).

_

Surf-Matt

Canada - recommend the PC971 SRAM chain very highly. A little bit more durable and smoother than the PC951 (the PC991 is a bit OTT though).

Trouble is, like me, if your chain has gone, your cassette may have gone too. What started as slipping gears on mine turned into new chain, cassette AND crank too (BB was almost dead as was the middle chainring).

WD40 isn't ideal - GT85 is a lot better. I use decent chain lube every week or so but use GT85 (has teflon in it) daily to stop rusting and keep it smooth. I just wipe the excess off an manage to get a decent mileage between chains (3000 for my last one!)