Chains....

[Jimmy oldskool]

What's everyone running and what are recommendations for our retros if a modern replacement is to be sourced?

I'm after a couple of new ones and was wondering what experiences/ opinions people had?

 

[Spudalumps]

Personally just buy a shimano/ sram 7/8/9... modern one works as well dont know if there is any difference

 

[Tootyred]

Sram 8 speed on everything. £5 if you get them in the sales....

Works on 7 fine.

 

[novocaine]

Sram 8 speed on everything. £5 if you get them in the sales....

Works on 7 fine.

I use a 9 speed, but same principle (PC951, used to 11 quid, gone up to 15 at the moment) tried a KMC on the winter bike, currently regretting it.

 

[Jimmy oldskool]

Cheers guys...

So SRAM will run ok on Shimano 8/9 spd and vice versa?...

 

[novocaine]

Cheers guys...

So SRAM will run ok on Shimano 8/9 spd and vice versa?...

I hope so, I've been doing it for 20 years because I hate Shimano chains, especially when they used snap link pins when SRAM were already using speed links.

 

[FluffyChicken]

KMC for me as first choice, Z or X series depending on tartyness.
then SRAM PC8xx/9xx ones.
Ok, between these two brands it's price, chains seem to be more expensive again.

Also have some 9sp versions and use them on 8speed too.

But the other brands also seem fine too like YBN

 

[Splatter Paint]

What are the quality 8 speed chain options? My son is going through PC830 chains in under 600 miles and that’s road riding! He does oil them and keep them reasonably clean.

 

[sunympholepsy]

What are the quality 8 speed chain options? My son is going through PC830 chains in under 600 miles and that’s road riding! He does oil them and keep them reasonably clean.

As much as I dislike Sram, I have to say I like their 870 and 890 chains (and good old Sedis) and never had any problems with durability. I use Connex chains on a couple of bikes and they are very decent, particularly the pricey stainless version. Rohloff were excellent, but practically unobtainable now…

 

[minor_LEGEND]

KMC or SRAM are my go to.
On the subject of chains & retro (7sp) it seems 7/8/9 have become the same chain now in terms of compatibility. But a few of the manufacturers no longer honor the old 7sp width, so I can't get a quicklink connector to fit proper 7 speed chains. Anyone else found this?