Which Chain?

wicked2627

Hi - I'm (eagerly) awaiting my first bike which is a Boardman HT. It's not been built yet but I was wondering what the best chain I should get for it in order that I can easily remove it?

I want to be able to leave it to soak in a bucket so as to get the dirt out of it once a month or so.

I know I can get powerlinks but, tbh, the range of chains is confusing me so I may as well ask them to fit a new chain (if needs be) from the outset (so it wears away at the same rate as the rings)

The spec will be
Rear Mech SRAM X0, Special Ed
Front Mech SRAM X9
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-32T
Chain Shimano HG-73
Chainset Truvativ Stylo GXP 44/32/22T

Shall I ask them not to install the Shimano and get an SRAM chain? If so, which one? Or should I get a powerlink installed onto the Shimano?

Apologies if this is a very easy question, but my last bike had V brakes and no disc mounts.

Thanks

GHill

I wouldn't worry about it too much, but buying some powerlinks would probably be a good idea.

I'd think about the cassette more.

alfablue

I wouldn't fuss too much about cleaning the chain in a bucket, just a wipe down with a baby wipe and a relube should do. There are many people (Sheldon Brown included) that recommend against over-zealous chain cleaning. Certainly from my experience, gentle cleaning, regular lubing and periodic checks on wear keep my drivetrain going for 1000's of miles.

You can easily fit a powerlink (or KMC link for preference) to a Shimano chain after you receive it, if you really want to. Personally, I would keep the link in my saddle bag for when (or if) the chain breaks. When you have worn out your first chain you can get a KMC replacement that will come with the quick link.

Northwind

That's a nice list of parts, all you need to add is a SRAM or KMC Powerlink, there's nothing wrong with that chain so it'd be a shame to replace it unused.

Disagree with Alfa though, I've found that taking the chain off, giving it a quick hose if it's muddy, then shoogling it about in a tub of paraffin for 10 seconds gets it cleaner than anything else, and is a very cheap option as well as fast and easy. Let it dry (20 minutes or so at most) then relube with the chain still off the bike (easiest way to get a good even lube, IMO, especialyly with aerosols) then refit.

As much as I respect Sheldon he seemed a bit old fashioned on chain maintenance, very much in the old "thin oil from a squirty can" school, he didn't seem to like more modern lubes even though by pretty much any standard they're better. But, he did advocate cleaning chains off the bike

alfablue

Sheldon agrees with KMC

The risk is from over-zealous cleaning is that it ends up poorly lubed.

ricardo666

I snapped a shimano chain on the welsh hills.

Repleced it with a sram pc991 chain

all I can say it felt meaty and solid and never missed a beat

Northwind

alfablue wrote:

Sheldon agrees with KMC

The risk is from over-zealous cleaning is that it ends up poorly lubed.

No he doesn't, he advocates using a citrus cleaner, KMC say "avoid the use of solvents". The risk of the chain being poorly lubed isn't a risk of cleaning really, it's a risk of bad lubing. Do both right and you're happy.

turnerjohn

shimano chains are rubbish, but as its coming with the bike you may as well use it ! When it wears go for KMC or a SRAM....I did and never looked back :-).
Buy a few "power links" and use them when you need to...their far better then trying to use those stupid Shimano pins !...oh and you can take the chain off to clean.....
on that subject think the general idea of "over cleaning" hold true. Though once in a while I think it a good idea to thoughly clean the chain to get all the old oil and cr*p out....just remember to do a proper lube when its dry.
Oh one final tip, once you oil a chain (make sure all the links are propoerly coated and the oil has worked into the chain links and pins), wipe off any excess. Its the oil on the outside that will collect dirt...you need the oil inside, not out.

turnerjohn

shimano chains are rubbish, but as its coming with the bike you may as well use it ! When it wears go for KMC or a SRAM....I did and never looked back :-).
Buy a few "power links" and use them when you need to...their far better then trying to use those stupid Shimano pins !...oh and you can take the chain off to clean.....
on that subject think the general idea of "over cleaning" hold true. Though once in a while I think it a good idea to thoughly clean the chain to get all the old oil and cr*p out....just remember to do a proper lube when its dry.
Oh one final tip, once you oil a chain (make sure all the links are propoerly coated and the oil has worked into the chain links and pins), wipe off any excess. Its the oil on the outside that will collect dirt...you need the oil inside, not out.

wicked2627

Thanks guys.

So any 9 speed power-link will fit - will I be able to fit it myself? I will be getting a multi-tool with a chain device on it - would that be sufficient. Or shall I get my LBS to do it?

christk

Disagree with regular taking the chain off bike (unless you are fitting new power link). Best option is to buy a chain cleaner like the park tool cleaner. A few spins of the pedals and jobs done without splitting any links and the risk that the power link may not be tight.

Northwind

9-speed powerlinks are designed to be reusable, no need to worry about that.

Steve_b77

KMC X9 - thread closed