Building up bike chains

[Rich W.]

Good Morning!

Now that I’m in the tinkering mode, I want to be able to build up custom chains to allow chain ring and possible cassette swaps. I’ve built 100’s (maybe more) of chainsaw chains, but never worked on bike chain. Can someone point me in the right direction for bulk chain and a chain tool? I’m riding a Specialized Tero if that matters.
Thanks!

 

[m@Robertson]

Uh... what?

Sorry not trying to be a smartass I just don't understand the need you are trying to fill here. Chains are specific to the speed count of a bicycle, and if you change the speed count (i.e. go from 9 speed to 10 speed) you also have to change the shifter and derailleur in addition to changing the chain (chains vary by width from one speed to another due to the cogs having different spacing in between).

Chainring swaps are possible right now without any customization. You just change the length of the chain with a chainbreaker. If you need to lengthen one to put on a bigger chainring or a larger rear cluster of cogs, you would use a second master link with the number of additional links needed. Like in the pic below (look to the left side of the pic for the 4-link extension). That has been on one of my bikes for roughly 20 months/2000 miles.

On modern bike chains you have to use master links and cannot put pins back in because of the mushroomed pins breaking off the ends once they've been partially pulled.

As chainbreakers go, this is a good shop one

https://amzn.to/3HBvqc0

I have one of these in each bike's tool bag. Note they both have the center shelf to allow plate spreading to unstick a tight link. Some don't.

https://amzn.to/402Piw5

Also, bicycle chain is almost never sold in bulk. Luna used to sell it by the foot so you could do something like a longtail with a 215 link chain but that was more expensive than buying two chains and connecting them.

bulk bicycle chain - Google Search

 

[indianajo]

How many speeds your rear sprocket has matters greatly. 6,7,8 speed chains are the same width. 9, 10, 11, 12 speed sprockets have their own width of chain. I'm using KMC chain, https://www.modernbike.com/kmc-chains-and-chain-tensioners which the bike came with. The first 8 speed chain lasted ~5000 miles and the second is measuring good at ~5000 more miles. The second was plated to resist rust in the rain. Because my bike is extra long I have to splice two chains with two master links. I've used pedros & cyclist choice breaker tools. The cyclist choice tool was stolen. https://www.modernbike.com/chain-tools+page2 I bought a schwinn chain breaker but it was garbage. Some tools are specific to the chain width. I find chain stretcher tools necessary to snap the master link closed. I can unsnap them with needlenose pliers.
I'm aware of 100' rolls of industrial chain, but it has a minimum width of 1/4". Bicycles haven't used that since the 10 speed days.
Since you are in California and modernbike.com is in Iowa, you may get surface faster shipping from universalcycle.com portland warehouse. However they have sometimes split their order between 2 warehouses and cost me 2 shipping charges of $10.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Plus you dont always need to change the chain with a gear change it depends on a lot of things. like when I changed the tandem from a 11-32 to a 1142 cassette and a long cage derailleur I needed no extra chain.

 

[Rich W.]

Thanks for all of the above. I’m starting with just chain ring swaps and might get away with the original chain, but one ring I’m going to try is a 48T and the bike came with a 36T. Both are still 104BCD but the circumference has to be bigger, so I want to be prepared for that. The rings (44 and 48T) are Praxis and they said they don’t deal in chain. BTW these rings aren’t listed on their web site but they stock them as maintenance items so you just have to contact them to purchase.

I’m new at this bike stuff, but not new to drive chain, so I figure I can manage (I used to buy saw chain in 100’ rolls, including carbide). Sounds like a breaker, some master links and one spare chain to cannibalize will do it for me. If I’m not satisfied with the chain ring change, then its on to the big bucks including a 12 speed cassette and of course a derailleur and shifter. SRAM Eagle AXS has sorta caught my eye, so that might happen anyway.

Happy biking!

 

[fooferdoggie]

KMC chain comes with a quick link and more are about 5.00 for 2. its the way to go. Plus a quick link pliers makes life easier.

 

[rich c]

I replace my chains every 3,000 miles. Buying a spool of chain would be more than a lifetime supply! There must be 25 videos on YouTube telling you have to do it.

 

[Rich W.]

I replace my chains every 3,000 miles. Buying a spool of chain would be more than a lifetime supply! There must be 25 videos on YouTube telling you have to do it.

I guess I could break down and watch a you tube video. I generally resist that. I have no intention of buying a spool of chain, but a few feet to play with would be nice. A spare chain, breaker, and some master links should do it.