Which chain is on the Vado 5.0?

[GuruUno]

Specs show a Shimano HG601, 11-speed chain, but I find there are 3 to choose from when purchasing, 116 links, 126 links or 138 links? Which one is used on the Turbo Vado 5.0? Help me understand why there are different lengths, and what would happen if the wrong one was used. Just getting things ready for the future to have as if I'm doing 500 miles a month, I'd suspect a new chain is in order after 2-3,000 miles, right?

 

[Nova Haibike]

Chains are offered in different lengths because bikes differ both in gearing and the distance between the crank and rear wheel. You select whichever length is closest to what you need; you will likely need a chain tool to cut the chain to the specific number of links that the bike needs. For example, if the bike's chain is 120 links long, you would buy the 126 link chain and remove six links. You could of course buy the 138 link chain and remove 18 links, but the longer chain costs more, so there is no point in doing so unless you had trouble sourcing the shorter length.

 

[TS25]

The Vado 4.0 with 40T chainring has a chain with 120 links so the Vado 4.0/5.0 with 48T chainring should have more links. Start counting yours. You'll definitely need more than 116 links and shall have to use a chain tool to cut the chain to your needs. A new chain is likely to be due earlier, app. after 1.500-2.000 miles.

Some more chain infos here:

Chain ring tooth selection

@E-Wheels Here a couple of shots, and you can see just how tight everything is in there. Sorry the second one is a bit dark because of the sunlight, but you can see my US Postal water bottle - that will tell you who my hero used to be, but that is another story :). Looks to me like there will...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Brendon@OEB]

Buy the 138 and cut it down, 5.0 has the larger chainring.

 

[GuruUno]

Buy the 138 and cut it down, 5.0 has the larger chainring.

Buy the 138 and cut it down --> to ?

I know I can/could count the links, but I'd like to know for archival purposes, the exact OEM, manufacturer supplied size/length at build.

Thanks......

 

[Johnny]

Specs show a Shimano HG601, 11-speed chain, but I find there are 3 to choose from when purchasing, 116 links, 126 links or 138 links? Which one is used on the Turbo Vado 5.0? Help me understand why there are different lengths, and what would happen if the wrong one was used. Just getting things ready for the future to have as if I'm doing 500 miles a month, I'd suspect a new chain is in order after 2-3,000 miles, right?

The best way is to count the links on your chain yourself. Usually chains are shortened to fit the bike. So count the links, get a chain which comes with more links and shorten it to match your current one when installing it.

Buy the 138 and cut it down --> to ?

The length equal to your current one. After you take it off lay them side by side and resize the new one accordingly.

 

[GuruUno]

A rather interesting posting on Reddit about chain length...
(Chain length- Is this too short? LBS says its fine. 1x11 Shimano)

https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewrench/comments/j4txyp

Other interesting facts:
(direction of chain)
With Shimano chain, the label has to face forward
(to put the chain on the right way when you install it, do it with stamps/wording facing out, side with nothing on the inside)

Shimano Dealer Manual PDF for 11-speed Chain

https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/dm/DM-CN0001-05-ENG.pdf

How to calculate correct chain length on a Shimano 12 Speed drivetrain
(not that we have a 12 speed, but a good read nonetheless)

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YouTube 'How to size a bike chain'

how-to-installing-a-new-chain-for-your-1x-drivetrain

How To: Installing A New Chain For Your 1X Drivetrain (How to do it Right!)

For this MTB How To, we are going to be focusing on setting the correct chain length when installing a new mountain bike chain on a 1X drivetrain. Making sur...

www.worldwidecyclery.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@GuruUno: @Johnny gave the best advice.

1. First count the links on your existing chain (on the bike) to have an idea what chain to order.
2. If you intend to replace the chain yourself, the best buy is the Shimano CN-TL10 tool to release and lock the Quick-Link (the Shimano master link). You also need a "11-speed chain tool" to be able to remove a pin on shortening the new chain.
3. Shorten the new chain to be of the length of the old one, using the chain tool.
4. The engravings on the chain should be at the outer side of the bike (towards you)
5. With the directional chain, the arrow symbol on the master link should point backwards, as you lock the master link at the bottom side of the chainstay
6. Also remember to place the wide link of the chain on the narrow tooth of the chainring. The inner side of the chainring has a drawing how to do it properly at the proper tooth.

Chain tool:

Amazon.com

CN-TL10:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@GuruUno: You also asked how to determine the chain wear. @TS25 told me how to do it. If you have a digital caliper, measure the distance between the pins (centre-to-centre) of the consecutive 10 chain links. The new chain has it at 5" sharp. The chain that qualifies for the replacement will have 5.04". A totally worn chain has it at 5.08".

 

[GuruUno]

Does this not work? (I bought 4 years ago)

Amazon.com : Oumers Universal Bike Chain Tool with Chain Hook, Road and Mountain Bicycle Chain Repair Tool, Bike Chain Splitter Cutter Breaker, Bicycle Remove and Install Chain Breaker Spliter Chain Tool : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Oumers Universal Bike Chain Tool with Chain Hook, Road and Mountain Bicycle Chain Repair Tool, Bike Chain Splitter Cutter Breaker, Bicycle Remove and Install Chain Breaker Spliter Chain Tool : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Does this not work? (I bought 4 years ago)

Amazon.com : Oumers Universal Bike Chain Tool with Chain Hook, Road and Mountain Bicycle Chain Repair Tool, Bike Chain Splitter Cutter Breaker, Bicycle Remove and Install Chain Breaker Spliter Chain Tool : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Oumers Universal Bike Chain Tool with Chain Hook, Road and Mountain Bicycle Chain Repair Tool, Bike Chain Splitter Cutter Breaker, Bicycle Remove and Install Chain Breaker Spliter Chain Tool : Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.com

It wouldn't work. Yours is for up to 10-speed. You need one with a thinner shaft. If you plan for the future, buy a chain tool good up to 12-speed.
(Not joking. You might buy an e-MTB in the future).

 

[GuruUno]

Recommendation?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

e-MTB or the chain tool?
Chain tool:

Amazon.com

I love the Pro Bike Tool tools! They come from Taiwan, The Home of Bikes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Besides, Park Tool are making all imaginable bike tools in the U.S. Highly recommended.

 

[GuruUno]

Got it. New chain as per your recommendation coming tomorrow, chain tool Tuesday as well as a spare quick link. Thanks you.

 

[Johnny]

Got it. New chain as per your recommendation coming tomorrow, chain tool Tuesday as well as a spare quick link. Thanks you.

Nice, let us know about the chain life with Molten Speed Wax.

I started doing the paraffin+ptfe mixture in a crockpot and so far it is very promising, I liked it so much that I will convert my bosch ones too (because of the fires I can't put too many miles though). Molten should be similar.

 

[GuruUno]

Got new chain today, tools tomorrow, wax 'em up, report on Wednesday

 

[TS25]

... report on Wednesday

what year?

 

[GuruUno]

what year?

ooooops, did not do yet. Just turned 1600 miles, was going to wait until 2,000 miles.

 

[GuruUno]

Got the Turbo Vado 5 July 24th, today, December 24th, hit 2000 miles.

No major big whoop, but nonetheless, did the miles in 5 months.

Hope to do 3-4k this coming year.

Love the bike.

Now the chain replacement dipped in wax.

Happy Holidays to all!