Need to understand chains

Topbanana0

When looking at chains, they are described as '8 speed' 9 or 10 speed' etc
I guess this means the number of cogs on your cassette?
But what's the difference, and what's the worse that could happen if you used the wrong chain?
Cheers

oxocube1

Topbanana0 wrote:

But what's the difference,

The widths.

6,7, and 8 speed tend to be the same width.

9 is thinner and 10 is thinner again.

ryanincontrol

Topbanana0 wrote:

what's the worse that could happen if you used the wrong chain?
Cheers

Chain snapping under load. Definite premature wear of the drivetrain. Shifting issues.

Although not ideal, you can use a chain one size narrower than standard. A 10 sp chain with a 9 sp set up, 9sp chain with 6,7 and 8 sp set up.

The Rookie

Just shifting issues, if you use two wide a chain it will catch on the sprockets either side, two narrow and it may not engage cleanly when shifting, though you can usually get away with one size thinner (9 on an 8, 10 on a 9) OK. Yes it refers to the number of sprockets at the rear, though be careful of one odity, you can convert a 7speed freehub to run 8 out of the 9 gears of a 9 speed setup (shifter, modified cassette) but you'll tell as it has a 9 speed shifter for 8 gears! (My daughter runs this on her commuter).