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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1296.0. "Let's talk chains" by PSYCHE::WOODBURN () Thu Aug 24 1989 13:51

    
    I'm looking for some good chains. Many of the new bikes with 
    Shimano components these days use the Uniglide (UG) chain. I 
    own a mountain bike and a road bike. Both have Shimano components 
    (LX on the ATB and 105s on the roady). 
    
    I've had to replace the chains on both bikes after about 800 
    miles or so. A few of the bike shops I've been to don't have too
    many good things to say about UG chains. After my experiences 
    with them, I'd have to agree. I tend to ride hard, often standing 
    up and applying all my weight and strength to the pedals. I make it 
    a point to lubricate the freewheel, deraillers, chain, and cables 
    regularly. However, the chain does not seem to be able to take it. 
    
    
    So, any opinions on what the best replacement chains are these days?
    Please differentiate (if need be) between ATBs and roadies when you 
    make your suggestion. 
    
    Thanks in advance
    
    Rob
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1296.1use the magic of NOTES...SUSHI::KMACDONALDIs there life after drywall?Thu Aug 24 1989 14:003
try, at the notes prompt,

Notes> DIR/TITLE=CHAIN
1296.2MAINTENANCE... & ...?WMOIS::C_GIROUARDThu Aug 24 1989 16:437
    I've got a SEDIS on my racing bike with almost 4000 miles. Never
    a problem never a stiff link. I take it off every 1000 miles and
    soak it in thinner and brush it. I oil it every 100 or so miles.
    
    Question: Anyone have any experience with hollow link chains????
    
    Chip
1296.3Hype for HyperglideWFOV12::SISEThu Aug 24 1989 17:368
    Part of the Hyperglide system is the chain. From what I have read
    you should only use a Hyperglide chain as a replacement.  This could
    be just hype (not the hype in Hyperglide :-) ) to get you to buy their 
    chains.

    John  
    
    Who_has_not_been_out_on_the_bike_in_over_two_weeks_and_is_getting_lazy
1296.4Whaddaya mean ya supposed to erl yer chain?VAXWRK::OXENBERGApocalyptical IllusionThu Aug 24 1989 18:584
After how many miles of riding (street) should one oil one's bicycle 
chain?

Phil
1296.5JUMBLY::MACFADYENTight conesFri Aug 25 1989 09:4313
    Like .1 suggests, there are already a lot of notes on this subject.
    
    The consensus, and my experience agrees, is that the base model Shimano
    Uniglide chain is a piece of junk. For the same money you can buy a
    Sedis chain, which is a far superior product, and completely compatible
    with Shimano index shifting.
    
    As to chain oiling, do the minimum you can get away with. I'd only oil
    the chain when it gets squeaky. I prefer "dry" lubricants like LPS3,
    since this attracts far less muck.
    
    
    Rod
1296.6Once a month.BANZAI::FISHERTwice a BMB FinisherFri Aug 25 1989 11:1311
    re:.4.  I do something to mine every month or so, say 1200 to 1500
    miles, especially when I get caught in the rain 3 or 4 days in a row.
    I almost broke down and changed one last month but, heck, it was only
    dirty so I cleaned it, sprayed it with wd40.
    
    Returning from Montreal I spotted some young women cleaning their bikes
    and I stopped by and asked for a few squirts of lube.  Traded war
    stories for a minute and rode into the sunset.  (No, this has nothing to
    do with Bicycling Mag's survey.)
    
    ed
1296.7SedisportDISCVR::HUIFri Aug 25 1989 17:1122
    Sedis sport makes 3 narrow chains (Black, silver & Gold) for road
    bikes. All 3 chains are the same except for there color and price. 
    Black is about $5.50 and Silver & Gold runs $10-12 at Nasbar. 
    Sedisport was the first to invent the Bushless chain and Shimano 
    UG copy it later on. The basic difference between the Sedis and UG is
    the Sedis has a budge inner plate and UG has a budge outer plate. As
    for the strenght of the chain, I have never had any problems with
    either type of chains yetand I have over 1000 miles on both types.   
    
    From Frank berto Book "Upgrading Your Bike". He indicated that a lot of
    the racing teams do not clean there chains anymore. Instead they buy 
    Gross stock of Sedis Black and put a new one on every race. The Shimano 
    SIS system was designed around the Sedis & UG chain. Therefore, your 
    105 should not have any problems.   
    
    If you do clean you chain I suggest you use the Vetta Chain cleaning
    fluid or something similar because it relube your chain at the same time 
    it is cleaning it. If you use a thinner to clean your chain, I would
    then using the spray type of lube get uder the bushings.
    
    Dave
    
1296.8hose 'em off with Teflon spray oil...SUSHI::KMACDONALDIs there life after drywall?Fri Aug 25 1989 17:349
Another vote for Sedis chains.... as for cleaning, I just hose 'em down 
til they drizzle with BreakFree or TriFlow. I have a Vetta chain 
cleaner, and it seems to work OK, but I rarely bother except for an 
exceeding grunged chain, pretty rare if you use BF or TF regularily. 
Though the Sedis chains are cheap, I'd feel bad about changing for each 
race; if you really felt the need to change that often, I'd change on a 
Sunday *after* the race, and ride the chain for a week in training to 
make sure it's OK.
                                    ken
1296.9$6.00 is better than $60.00MCIS2::DELORIEACommon sense isn'tFri Aug 25 1989 17:4218
>>    From Frank berto Book "Upgrading Your Bike". He indicated that a lot of
>>    the racing teams do not clean there chains anymore. Instead they buy 
>>    Gross stock of Sedis Black and put a new one on every race. 

I don't oil mine so it doesn't get dirty. Well almost don't oil it. What I do
is oil my chain and them wipe off all the oil. The oil gets into the rollers
where the rag can't reach. The chain doesn't attract the dirt, I don't get oil
on my leg and it seems to last longer than a "well oiled" chain. I used to do
the same with my dirt bike chains, with much success. Those chains cost 40-60
bucks and I'd go through three a year so anything to make them last longer I
tried. The price of bike chains make me laugh.

Tom

ps save the extra chain you get after you cut your chain to the right length.
You can use it to repair a *nasty* stiff link that you can't fix with the chain
tool.

1296.10Go SedisportCSCOA5::HOOD_DOFri Aug 25 1989 18:2214
    
    Another vote for Sedis.....
    I went through no less than 5 or six UG chains before I switched
    to Sedis. I could never take a Shimano UG apart without it having
    problems with tight links ( after putting it back together). I could
    never clean a Shimano UG without having problems with tight links
    (prompting a note from me in a previous topic where I suggested never
    cleaning the chain). After reading other notes in the file, I tried
    a Sedisport chain and it's GREAT. I have not thrown a chain, had
    tight links, or any other chain related problem. IMHO, Sedisport
    chains are cheaper/better chains. This opinion was formulated after 
    3000+ miles  on UG chains (5 chains, two bikes), and 1000+ miles
    on Sedis (two chains, same two bikes, changed from UG to Sedis on
    both bikes at the same time). 
1296.11HOLLOW LINKSWMOIS::C_GIROUARDTue Aug 29 1989 11:314
    Okay, I'll ask again. Anyone have experiences/opinions on the hollow
    linked chains?
    
     Chip
1296.12name some.NOVA::FISHERTwice a BMB FinisherTue Aug 29 1989 11:404
    Ok, I'll bite, and risk my reputation as an effing know-it-all,
    What's a hollow link chain?
    
    ed
1296.13Hollow linksCSC32::T_DAWSONTomas Dawson DNT:522-4549Tue Aug 29 1989 11:553
    A hollow link chain -- The pins are hollow to reduce weight. To allow a
    regular chain tool to be used there is one section of the chain that
    uses regular pins.
1296.14name someNOVA::FISHERTwice a BMB FinisherTue Aug 29 1989 12:564
    Again, What are the names of some chains that are currently marketed
    and have hollow links?
    
    ed
1296.15Buy one and tell usCESARE::JOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 871-7473Tue Aug 29 1989 13:572
    Regina makes them.  They're a new, expensive, and esoteric product, so
    I doubt anyone has useful experience with them yet.  
1296.16where can I send someone else to buy one and try it?NOVA::FISHERTwice a BMB FinisherTue Aug 29 1989 14:417
    A few years ago I saw Regina chains with drilled side plates. 
    I haven't seen them since so the weight savings must not have
    offset the lowered reliability, additional drag and added cost.
    
    What the model ID of the hollow link chain?
    
    ed
1296.17MEMORY::GOODWINin a spasm of lucidity...Tue Aug 29 1989 15:3018
	I happen to have a catalog on my desk that has it listed. It is the
	Regina SL chain. (SL for solid link???) 

	The solid link pins are replaced with hollow bushings that reduces
	weight by 30% (70 gm). It claims that it works great an indexed 
	shifting. Narrow profile, black only, and installed with regular
	chain tool. List price is $17.95.

	List price for other chains:

		sedisport - black	$ 6.50
			  - silver	$10.95
		shimano   - Dura ace	$29.95
			  - narrow UG	$13.95
	

	Paul
1296.18 regina SL experienceUSMRM5::MREIDWed Sep 06 1989 20:2520
    I raced with the Regina SL (hollow bushing) chain all last season,
    with Suntour Superbe Pro (Friction shifting). The chain shifted
    beautifully, never skipped, and in fact worked better than the
    Sedisport that I used to use.
    
    My brother used the Regina SL chain all last season, and continues
    to use it this season. He has Shimano 600 index shifting, and has
    had no problems with the chain.
    
    I have since then bought a new bike with Dura Ace components (and
    D.A. chain). I was considering replacing the D.A. chain with the
    Regina SL - once the D.A. wears - but I don't know how it will work
    with the D.A. system.
    
    I have a friend who also swears by the Regina SL chain with his
    Campy Chorus (friction shifting) deurailler; he's raced 2 seasons
    with it.
    
    Mark
    
1296.19I dare yaCESARE::JOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 871-7473Wed Sep 06 1989 21:595
    Well, Sedisport works great with Dura Ace.  Maybe Regina SL will work
    even better, as it did with the Suntour Superbe stuff (but maybe not,
    which is why I encourage you to try it first! :~).
    
    MATT