So I built up a commuter single speed recently.
After putting it all together I decided to use a 48/19 gearing since I already had a Surly 19t cog. I got lucky and had an LX 48t chainring I never used from a triple set so I slapped it on figuring I'd use it temporarily to see if I like the gearing. I do like the ratio so I put in an order for a new pairing of 35/14. I used a SRAM PC-1 chain (same as I've used on my jumping hardtail for almost 2 years now) and went on my first test ride. About 2 miles in I had come to a stop at a stop sign, came to a trackstand stop, and laid some power down to get going again. On the second stroke the chain broke and landed down on the frame and flipped over the bars, catching my leg on the chainring on the way down. Hospital, stitches, etc.
So I'm trying to figure out why the chain broke. I've installed and resized a ton of chains in my time, including the same model chain on other bikes. I've never had a chain break on me and I've taken that jumping hardtail to the BMX track and laid some serious force down out of the gate, and also climbed some really steep hills with it. I'm guessing I may have just not pushed the pin back in quite right but is it possible that using a 1/8" chain with a ramped 9-speed 48t chainring caused the break? The other parts are being delivered today (35t Blackspire Mono Veloce SS ring, 14t Surly cog) and that new chainring should be thicker. I realize that the 2.53:1 gear ratio requires a little more strength in the chain but I've met some fixie guys that have ratios over 3:1 that have never had a problem.
Are there any other SS chains that are stronger? I thought about picking up a real BMX chain, or maybe even going to a fixie shop and getting one from them since its gotta be strong if they're trusting it as their only brake.
Here's the drivetrain specs, if it helps:
Soul Cycles Hooligan frame (EBB)
Shimano 48t ramped/pinned chainring
Surly 19t cog
SRAM PC-1 1/8" chain
After putting it all together I decided to use a 48/19 gearing since I already had a Surly 19t cog. I got lucky and had an LX 48t chainring I never used from a triple set so I slapped it on figuring I'd use it temporarily to see if I like the gearing. I do like the ratio so I put in an order for a new pairing of 35/14. I used a SRAM PC-1 chain (same as I've used on my jumping hardtail for almost 2 years now) and went on my first test ride. About 2 miles in I had come to a stop at a stop sign, came to a trackstand stop, and laid some power down to get going again. On the second stroke the chain broke and landed down on the frame and flipped over the bars, catching my leg on the chainring on the way down. Hospital, stitches, etc.
So I'm trying to figure out why the chain broke. I've installed and resized a ton of chains in my time, including the same model chain on other bikes. I've never had a chain break on me and I've taken that jumping hardtail to the BMX track and laid some serious force down out of the gate, and also climbed some really steep hills with it. I'm guessing I may have just not pushed the pin back in quite right but is it possible that using a 1/8" chain with a ramped 9-speed 48t chainring caused the break? The other parts are being delivered today (35t Blackspire Mono Veloce SS ring, 14t Surly cog) and that new chainring should be thicker. I realize that the 2.53:1 gear ratio requires a little more strength in the chain but I've met some fixie guys that have ratios over 3:1 that have never had a problem.
Are there any other SS chains that are stronger? I thought about picking up a real BMX chain, or maybe even going to a fixie shop and getting one from them since its gotta be strong if they're trusting it as their only brake.
Here's the drivetrain specs, if it helps:
Soul Cycles Hooligan frame (EBB)
Shimano 48t ramped/pinned chainring
Surly 19t cog
SRAM PC-1 1/8" chain