IZUMI 1/8\ Track Chain

Advantages: Cheap, shifts well, excellent joining link
Disadvantages: Can suffer chain breakages

...-snap-snap Derailleur systems have over the years added more and more gears to the clusters. A few years ago 8 speed was cutting edge. Now 9 speed is standard for mountain bikes, and road bikes have hit 11 speed. Initially extra gears were accommodated simply by adding more cogs to the cluster. Making the wheels wider and dishing them more squeezed on another gear. 9 speed and above needed thinner cogs, and ever narrower chains. If you read the reviews on 8 speed chains, there are virtually no complaints about chains snapping. Read the reviews for 9 speed chains used on mountain bikes and you get problems with chains snapping. They typically break under low pedalling pressure, and after the chain has been in use for a few months. I have not read a satisfactory explanation as to how a chain could snap like that. You can not break a chain simply... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheap, Sturdy, Easy to Use
Disadvantages: None

...The Company Park Tools are an American company manufacturing bike tools for the home and professional mechanic. They claim to be the largest bike tool manufacturer in the world. From personal experience I have found that while Park Tools are more expensive, they tend to be of higher quality than their competitors. Despite being an American company, most of their tools are actually manufactured in the far east. Why would you want a Chain Checker? Chains are said to stretch with use. The chain doesn't actually stretch. What happens is that the pins and bushings are worn away by use, creating play. A worn chain under tension will elongate further than a new one. Once the chain has elongated by 1% or more it is considered worn. This level of wear is not visually obvious. Chain checkers provide an accurate... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: long life
Disadvantages: not the best

...want to know what you need in a good Chain? When considering buying a new chan first check its worn. If you've decieded its worn well done. Most people don't check they think that a chain needs changing when it brakes. WRONG! Chains need removing so they don't wear the chain rings out. To check... Lift the chain- hold approx. 6 links between your two hands and twist to the side ie. agains the links walls. Did you feel it twist? You shouldn't have ! most chains will give a little- they wear as they are pulled over the gears at the back, you can easily imagine the wear stresses on them, most of the time its not the way you pedal "fast" etc. but instead how much you change gears. So it needs changing ? Is it a good time to change your chain rings and sprocket on the back? probably these wear in line with the chain so make sure... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful