Chain compatability.

[justfuzzit]

I always thought that chains were simply measured by the width. Is there any other measurement that goes into say a 9 sp chain VS an 8 spd chain. Is it purely width? 9 spd being 3/32. Forget what 8 spd is.

Does anyone have a link or something for an explanation?

[r464]

6/7/8 speed is 7.1-7.4mmmm wide
9 speed is 6.5-6.8mm
10 speed is 5.9-6.1mm

Advertised widths depend upon the company. All modern chains have 1/2" pitch.

[spoke2570]

There is still some 1 inch pitch stuff out there, too.

[tomacropod]

There is also some 10mm pitch out there too :p

- Joel

[spoke2570]

Who is distributing new 10mm product? I used to love that Dura Ace alpha stuff.

[aki]

Who is distributing new 10mm product? I used to love that Dura Ace alpha stuff.

I thought Shimano came up with this but never took off?

[spoke2570]

Shimano used that pitch spec on on the Dura Ace gruppo for like one year. It was a funky one with roller-cam type brakes and those pedals with the gigantic bearing at the crank arm.

[tomacropod]

actually Shimano only used that pitch on their track groupset, it was an option for a couple of years I believe. The funky roller cam brakes and gigantic pedal bearings you're thinking of are from the Dura-ace AX groupset, from 1982.

- Joel