How to choose a bike chain

Modern bicycles, regardless of their functional purpose, are complex mechanisms, the performance of which directly depends on engineering solutions and technologies that are implemented by the manufacturer at all stages of development. Take, for example, the chain – the main element that transfers torque from the pedals to the rear wheel. However, modern bicycles are two orders of magnitude more technologically advanced than their predecessors, and therefore special attention must be paid to the quality and key features of the chain.

We repair and tune the bike. Top chain manufacturers

If we consider any branded bike, the name of which is on everyone's lips, it will be a collection of technical elements, many of which are produced by third parties. That is, in fact, the end manufacturers are exclusively assemblers using ready-made components. It is for this reason that there is no point in looking for branded parts, the best chain manufacturers today are:

1. Shimano;

2. SRAM;

3. Wipermann;

4. SunRace;

5. Trek;

Main selection criteria

When choosing a chain for a bicycle, remember that it is impossible to go to the store and buy the first chain that comes across. There are a lot of criteria to look for when choosing a circuit:

1. Number of stars on the drive shaft. A wide variety of bicycles are currently on sale, with designs ranging from 1-2 to 5-6 leading stars. As a rule, the applicability of a particular chain is indicated by the corresponding marking on the package. For example, Narrow indicates that the chain is intended for movements equipped with 5-8 sprockets, Super Narrow indicates the suitability of a chain with a movement equipped with 9-10 stars. If nothing is indicated on the package, such a chain is suitable for a mechanism with fewer stars;

2. The design, mechanical characteristics and the type of metal used are the criteria that have the greatest impact on the wear resistance of the chain, it is on them that its total resource directly depends. Experienced cyclists note that the quality of the metal can be judged by the color of the chain: budget models are almost always yellow or olive green, white chains are inherent in the middle class, and if you have a gray or graphite chain in front of you, you can be sure of its quality. . As for the design, almost all bicycle chains have a pitch of 1/2 inch, regardless of which type of bike this or that chain is installed on;

3. Chain link thickness and number of walls. Everything is quite simple here – the thicker the link, the more durable it is. The design of the link itself also plays an important role: double and even triple links, widely used in those places where maximum reliability and a guarantee of the absence of problems are required, are much more wear-resistant and resourceful than their single counterparts;

4. Checking the chain for wear is easy. To do this, you must apply force to the chain at an equal distance from both stars. If the deviation from the starting position exceeds 3.5-4 centimeters, this means that the chain has significant wear and requires replacement. If you ignore this circumstance, the worn out chain will 'eat up' the stars themselves and break the cassette mechanism.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose wheels for a bicycle, the secrets of choosing a mountain bike and the peculiarities of choosing a road bike.

Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.