Re: [CR]Chain widths...

(Example: Framebuilders:Pino Morroni)

In-Reply-To: <4499F53C.3040504@cox.net>
References: <4499F53C.3040504@cox.net>
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:53:26 -0400
To: sachshm@cox.net, g.duke@civenv.unimelb.edu.au, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Chain widths...


Quoth Harvey Sachs:
>I know of no advantage of 1" chain over 1/2" chain, and one
>disadvantage: only half as many gearing options, since the cogs have
>only half the number of teeth.

I can't agree there...it is my belief that there is a real advantage in wear life to the chains that only have one sprocket tooth per complete link, as with 1" chains.

You can also achieve this benefit with 1/2" chain IF you use only even-sized sprockets AND pay attention to the phase relationship of the sprockets and chain.

I have a short article on this topic: http://sheldonbrown.com/chain-life

I was put on the track of this by noting older bikes with original 1" chains that had obviously had lots of miles but where the chain and sprockets were not seriously worn...like my 1916 Mead Ranger, which I'm confident is still on the original chain and chainring.

Sheldon "http://sheldonbrown.com/ranger" Brown +------------------------------------------+ | The lower your gear, the more of your | | riding time will be spent going uphill. | +------------------------------------------+ --
    Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
       Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
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