I have a question about the use of Reynold chains. I tried an 1/8" Reynold Elite chain on my Hetchins which is equipped with a Benelux mark 7 rear deraileur, a 4 speed Cyclo block, and a single Chater Lea 48 - 1/8" chainring. Although the chain shifted fine (after playing with chain length and cage angle) it was quite noisy in the smallest and largest cogs. It even derailed off the front chainring on occaision. Thinking that the chain was too stiff laterally I substituted a cheap BMX chain and it is much much queiter with no more chain drops. However, the shifts are not near crisp as they were with the Reynold chain.
Is anyone using a 4 speed Benelux setup with a 1/8" chain and could offer any recommendations? I am considering using a 3 speed block to avoid the extreme angles and giving the Reynold chain another try.
Paul Raley Leonardtown MD
Joe Bender-Zanoni <joebz@optonline.net> wrote:
>I like Renold chains. The are "correct" for virtually any vintage (they
>invented the roller chain in the19th century).
>
>They shift rather well because the plates are chamfered and well finished.
>Since they are full width they properly engage various chain guides on
>vintage derailleurs and won't tend to fall between front chainwheels. They
>are extremely durable.
>
>And Hilary Stone seems to have them for sale regularly at reasonable prices.
>I think he bought some chain in bulk and packages them up in proper lengths.
>
>Joe Bender-Zanoni
>Great Notch, NJ
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "stephen fredette" <sfredette@earthlink.net>
>To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 11:16 AM
>Subject: [CR]chain for wide range gear set up
>
>
>> i was wondering what an appropriate chain for
>> a a bike with a 52-39 chainring and a 13-30
>> 5 speed cogset would be. the rear derailleur
>> is a long cage crane and it seems to me that a
>> lot of vintage chains are made for smaller
>> capacities. what was used on touring set-ups
>> in the 1970's (and before)? conversely, are there
>> chains manufactured now that are appropriate
>> for older bikes? everything seems to trend towards
>> narrower chains, obviously because of the need
>> to make cogsets more compact. as always, any
>> help is appreciated, and i remain
>> yr obdt svt
>> Stephen Fredette
>> Hull, Massachusetts