The determining factor for chain replacement on my DH bike has always been side to side flop. When the chain gets sloppy, it bounces out of the chainguide (especially e13). 8sp chains last at least 3x longer than 9sp when using this as a criteria.
Do you have an actual, measurable test for this or is it just by 'feel'? You can just measure the chain length or throw in a Park chain checker. Perhaps some of the reasons people 'think' they're getting longer life out of an 8spd vs 9spd is b/c they cost a lot less each and it's easier to stomach the replacement on a regular basis.
Id agree with chain growth except Ive done it on several other bikes, its not sudden hammering down either. Its in the middle of pedaling and when necessary in a DH race I have to hammer down its racing!
Do you have an actual, measurable test for this or is it just by 'feel'? You can just measure the chain length or throw in a Park chain checker. Perhaps some of the reasons people 'think' they're getting longer life out of an 8spd vs 9spd is b/c they cost a lot less each and it's easier to stomach the replacement on a regular basis.
Plus the average wieght of a geared-up DH'r is about 40-60 pounds heavier than the average roadie or cx racer....fat roadies go slow and make ice cream stops on their rides...
I recon you never saw how big can a road sprinter be(the guys who suck at mountain racing but rule at fast finishes if you for some reason don't know what I mean). They are not heavier than avereage joes but the dh pro's weight probably around the same.
Not that it really makes any differance.
would a half link (if it was made for 9 speed) have any affect on strength. they are pretty good but also with bmx thickness. being that every link is male and female each link would be the same strength and have no "weaker" spot-just thinking aloud
I removed the largest and smallest cogs from my cassette and now the chain has to bend to the side less. It started as a 9spd cassette and is now 12-26 7spd.
lmaaooooo your here to sell me a subscription to time life magazine ..
to answer bulldog
im 31 years old and have 15 years riding DH with a 2-3 hiatus ( discovered vag)
bikes ive owned ,2 big hits , 7.7 l,leytoy 4 ( yes i rode dh on it best biek ever ), v10. bottle rocket ,Preston and a bunch of mish mosh especially when i started( hard tails with judys and xt v brakes lol ) ..thats not counting 4-5 fixed gears a a few road bikes and the fact that i still ride and own a bmx bike ( t1 hickerson )
now i have a bmw race link , slayer sxc70 ,trek 69er , my t1 and building a bs chase dj bike from spare parts .
if you have any other questions pm me
oh and ska todd thanks im gonna look into it maybe its is worth it maybe it isn't . i just wanted to know what it was
to answer bulldog
im 31 years old and have 15 years riding DH with a 2-3 hiatus ( discovered vag)
bikes ive owned ,2 big hits , 7.7 l,leytoy 4 ( yes i rode dh on it best biek ever ), v10. bottle rocket ,Preston and a bunch of mish mosh especially when i started( hard tails with judys and xt v brakes lol ) ..thats not counting 4-5 fixed gears a a few road bikes and the fact that i still ride and own a bmx bike ( t1 hickerson )
now i have a bmw race link , slayer sxc70 ,trek 69er , my t1 and building a bs chase dj bike from spare parts .
if you have any other questions pm me
all different ones .. if i break a chain i might not try it again shimano hg-93 7701.. .. sram 990 951 .. i haven't tried a whipperman one yet and i wanna try that gusset one it seems pretty trick too . and as you cna see imnot the only one who breaks chains here
to answer bulldog
im 31 years old and have 15 years riding DH with a 2-3 hiatus ( discovered vag)
bikes ive owned ,2 big hits , 7.7 l,leytoy 4 ( yes i rode dh on it best biek ever ), v10. bottle rocket ,Preston and a bunch of mish mosh especially when i started( hard tails with judys and xt v brakes lol ) ..thats not counting 4-5 fixed gears a a few road bikes and the fact that i still ride and own a bmx bike ( t1 hickerson )
now i have a bmw race link , slayer sxc70 ,trek 69er , my t1 and building a bs chase dj bike from spare parts .
if you have any other questions pm me
oh and ska todd thanks im gonna look into it maybe its is worth it maybe it isn't . i just wanted to know what it was
A 7spd chain and 8spd chain are the same exact thing. The standard spacing for a road bike just went from 127mm to 130mm to accommodate the extra cog. Not difference in the chain...(well except for IG vs HG but that is a debate to have w/ Shimano techs)
8spd chains and 9spd chains are identical except for the width of the inner bushing. The outer plates are the same. If anything, they'd be stronger b/c the pin is shorter.
I'd argue that almost all broken chains you see out there are caused by 1 of 3 things: 1. impact (rock, stick, etc) 2. incorrect installation (re-using Shimano pin, bogarted chain tool, too short chain, sucking into tire) or 3. lack of maintenance (lube, replacement of beat stuff, etc).
[knock on wood]It's been a long while since I broke a chain.[/knock on wood] The last time I did it was the direct result of issue #1 above. I munched a rock, chain broke, wrapped around cassette, RD into spokes, etc.
For the 8spd curmudgeons out there, take a look at cross bikes. They play in the mud, ice, and grass far more than we do. Their bikes are seeing a lot more start/stops and high power out of corners. Oh, and they all run 10spd. If anyone would be arguing for this it would be these guys...and there are a lot more of them then there are of us!
The only plus I personally see w/ 7spd is the ability to narrow up the cassette and chain angle into the largest cog. This makes for more clearance around frames, chain guides, and tires. However, I'd keep the current cog spacing and just slim down the cassette a bit, not go back to 7/8 spd spacing.
I agree with most everything here. I dont belive that a 7/8 sp chain is any stronger than a 9sp chain. Litterally the difference is a shorter pin, and a thiiner roller.
But two things I see as an advantage to running the older 6/7/8 sp setups....
First, the chains cna last longer due to less twisting when going from your highest t lowest. the cassettes just are noit as wide, thats less stress on the chain.
Two, the bigger reason I See others wanting the older setups, is less dish on the wheel. That generally means a stiffer wheel. But at the same time, 150 for DH is fastly becoming a very strong standard.
BYO, I must say, your a smart cat, but every once and awhile, you say something that I just have to sit back and laugh.
I also dont get to pick on you too often........Dude, go buy a proper Chain checker......Seriously, if your methid of checking chain wear is when its dropping off the guide......I just cant see how a stretching chain would cause that, that seems more like too much clearance on the guide issue.
Ive solved all my drivetrain breakage issues.
Single Speed with a wipperman 1G8 chain. Indestructable! I no longer run a bash gaurd. Ive slammed into rocks, logs, everything and it doesnt even flinch.
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