What Chain? (Last Time..Promise)

The Northern Monkey

I'm still looking for a chain for my Surge build..
This is what i know i need-
-Has to be 9sp chain (the saint crankset/chainring only works with 9sp think chains according to the site)
-Either KMC or SRAM chains

BUT

I want strength. The surge is going to be SS, 36T/16T, and dont want a chain thats going to stretch easily/quickly.
So i'm thinking of a half-link chain.
Will a half-link chain work with my saint chainring (ie fit between the chainring and the bash, and also fit the teeth correctly), and what one should i get?

I have about £25 to spend (possibly £30), but seriously have no idea what i'm looking at.

Cheers for any help,
B

supersonic

Are your SS parts 1/8th inch compatible ie can you use a 1/8 chain?

The Northern Monkey

supersonic wrote:

Are your SS parts 1/8th inch compatible ie can you use a 1/8 chain?

erm...

I Haven't actually bought yet! i'm loking at the DMR SS converter (if i can ever find one without the damn tensioner).
either that or i'll get the da'bomb converter which can use 8/9sp chains.
i'm trying to buy it and the chain together.

B

The Northern Monkey

i do already have the saint cranks tho.

nicklouse

does not matter. you have to go with the widest.

8 spd chains are not the same as 9 spd chains

But the internal width is the same.

So get your rear set up.

what is the bud free body made from? do you want a wider cog base? the look at the gusset 66er or the surly ones.

Looked at the gusset slink chain comes in two widths and they also do a bling version.

The Northern Monkey

nicklouse wrote:

does not matter. you have to go with the widest.

8 spd chains are not the same as 9 spd chains

But the internal width is the same.

So get your rear set up.

what is the bud free body made from? do you want a wider cog base? the look at the gusset 66er or the surly ones.

Looked at the gusset slink chain comes in two widths and they also do a bling version.

Freehub is steel, so i should be ok with a normal sprocket. (i didn't go for the hope pro 2's in the end).
3/32” chain or 1/8" chain? i have no idea!?
many of the 1/2 link chains say they are for micro gearing...which makes me think that the teeth on the saint chainring wont fit the links properly on half link chains.
I need the DMR SS converter because it comes with different sized spacers. i've read that the gusset and fireeye converters are very tight on shimano freehubs.

Do i actually need a 9sp chain? i've read that i could use a sram pc-1 singlespeed chain? i'm just so confused about how chains are different/what i actually need!

The Northern Monkey

Ok. i have the 16T DMR SS Converter, a 36T Saint chainring and a DMR tension seeker.

Will this chain work? Blank Half-Link Chain

If not, what will work?

Thanks.
Ben

toasty

Why were you set on the DMR kit just out of interest? You can pick up a Gusset kit on ebay for £35. Including a Gusset slink half link chain (5/5 rated on bikeradar), 16 + 18 gears (meaning you'd have had the option of a 1 : 2 ratio with the 18), beefier spacers and their own chain tentioner.

The gears and tensioner are thicker than the DMR ones as well, designer for the thicker chain.

I only ask as I was pondering one myself at the moment, can't quite decide which to use. The DMR's main appeal seemed to be I wouldn't need a new chain :P

ride_whenever

IIRC it is the shadow consipracy half link chain that you want to be using, far and away the best 1/2 link out there.

toasty

Ooh, cheers. I'll have a look. It's only for a mess about SS commuting/playing around in the woods bike, it doesn't need to be indestructable.

I've ordered some thin chainring bolts and everything else I need to get my Stumpy up as a single speed. Just need to decide on a conversion kit, chain and tensioner.

I was actually quite tempted by a cheapo ebay unnamed tensioner to be honest, they don't have to do a vast amount.

The Northern Monkey

gussets dont work well with 9sp chains.

I've been onto CRC who have reccomended me a chain.

toasty

Yeah, I was pondering a thicker chain anyway, the £35 kit on ebay comes with a thicker chain. How easy is it to find other gears for thinner 9 speed chains? The bulk I see around seem to be the thicker type.