The fact that you truthfully admit you didnt know some stuff there the more I respected you.Its very hard to find people like you these days. Thank you so much for this very informative video.
@@rgmtb Do you see any problem with using a Shimano 11 speed chain on a Shimano 12 speed chain RING? Inner plate dimension is the same, as far as I know, but someone mentioned the Shimano 12 speed chainring has special grooves that may cause the 11 speed to fall off. Any idea about this? I have an 11 speed drivetrain, but want to use a 12 speed crankset/chainring on it (switching square taper on 11 speed to a hollowtech ii).
I think you got 1/2 and 1/8 inch mixed there. The og 1/2 x 1/8" chain is 1/8" wide and the link length is 1/2". You can see it with the naked eye which is longer. But otherwise great stuff!! :)
Coming from bmx, I've seen tons of guys have half link chains on upside down and it feels and sounds horrible until I flip them over and its smooth and quiet
I watched 4 videos to find out why my chain was slipping they all told me to check for wear. Not one told me I had the wrong chain! This video taught me soo much. Excellent stuff guys. 😊
This was super helpful. I was searching all over the internet to find out about front chainring/cassette/chain compatibility and even emailing some manufacturers but like you said at the beginning, some things they won’t tell you. But this answered my question perfectly. Thanks!!
HAHAHAHA! So you've been around the block a few times and done the dirty work. It's not easy to keep up with all this stuff and things change too often!
G-R-E-A-T VIDEO!!! I've definitely learned a lot! All I knew is that chains are different for different cassettes, but I never knew that there are so much nuances and tiny details that should be taken care of!
I knew that chains were directional tbh I build my own bikes so that was how I knew, some has arrows and also the master link may themselves may have arrows them.
Great vid, not seen a vid explaining all of this before. Great you made a video explaining all of this. good to have it all in one video. I knew all of this, but I don't remember where I got all of my knowledge anymore.
A little confusion there on what is 1/8th inch. The center-to-center pin distance (chain pitch) is 1/2 inch (12.7mm) for all standard (non-Campagnolo) bicycle chains and I think the inner width starts out at 3/32 inch for 6/7/8 speed. Otherwise good comparison of chains. Annoyingly Shimano quick-links are rated as single-use items.
Boy, did I need to know this. Thank you so much. Appreciated the mention of stronger ebike chains. Could have mentioned ebike cassettes along with that. You want a full steel cassette with strong ebike motors.
That got me also, had to google it: bicycle chain pitch is exactly 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). This goes for all the bicycle chains, regardless of the speed number.
Great info! One thing that I think you missed was explaining why you're only supposed to used a quick link once. I know most manufactures say that once you take the chain apart you're supposed to get a new quick link. I've never really followed this rule, that's why I'd like it explained better.
Just replace the link when you replace the chain. I have removed the chain many times to service my derailleur and deep-clean the chain. The links are going to wear the same as the roller bearings on the riveted section of the chain. The link is less strong because it is not riveted, but still has plenty of strength to work until the end of the chains life.
Just for information, They do make 3/32 single speed freewheels for BMX(White Industries & Profile)and most BMX sprockets/chainrings can use a 3/32 chain. Cheers
I heard some people prefer a 9speed chain on a 10speed cassette for the thicker links giving more strength. Is there any drawbacks for overall durability ?
I did not know about the directionality (I don't think), but I did know about the shape of the links and how they were engineered to do better with shifting. I only learned about this in the last couple of years. This is exceptional information to know, though! I am the head coach for a small NICA team out here in Florida and this is helpful for team bike maintenance. Thanks for the video! Stay upright and keep the rubber side down. -Brian
I'm so glad this video helped! Jason does a wonderful job explaining bike tech and really hit it out of the park with this one! Keep an eye on the channel because I have a bike review coming up on a HT that a lot of the NICA coaches liked when I showed it to them :-)
I have a Park CC-4 chain measure tool. I"ll call it stretch, because the tool will either fall through or not, indicating stretch. Assuming this is correct, what I believe you're saying is that the distance from link to link is the same for a 10 speed vs. 11 speed. Therefore, the tool is good for both. I hope I am correct as I maintain my 10 speed and wife 11 speed bikes.
I figured out I was old when I was browsing Amazon for a new chain for my 9 speed downhill bike. Found all these cool KMC DLC chains but only in 10 speed. No cool coatings or anything special for 9 speed. Only found the chain, I’m already using
I honestly can say that I didn't know that about the chains. I know that SRAM chains need to be aligned with the cassette or they don't fit on the teeth well but had no idea about the Shimano directional chains. I enjoyed making this video and learned a lot!
In my experience as a Melbourne bicycle courier over 4 winters 3 summers where trams drop sand on brakes you get sand on your drivetrain you don't want an "entry level" drivetrain you want Shimano XT and lube at the end of every wet day using a Ritchey kerosene bath chain cleaner on the weekend, you don't want to customize too much stick to factory equipment as say Shimano have the best patents.
thanks for that info. like Dean said in the video, a lot of info I didn't know. i noticed the difference, generally. but, i never took the time to put it all together.
@@paul340mopar That got me too, I don't know shit about bike chains and that's why I'm watching but, I do know the difference between 1/8" and 1/2" Duh, had to google chain bike chain pitch to get the correct info: bicycle chain pitch is exactly 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). This goes for all the bicycle chains, regardless of the speed number.
It's written in the Shimano papers that it's directional. First pic, very big, can't miss it ....... One of the first things I learned as a home mechanic.
A couple corrections to be made at the beginning of the video. Actually he got the dimensions and terms mixed up. I guess maybe he was nervous or just reading from a script? The distance center to center of the barrels is about 1/2" not the distance between the barrels. Also the distance between the plates is 1/8"-3/32". Also he refers to the "micrometer"...it isnt a micrometer. It is a digital caliper. Small points. But, people watching this video will repeat whats said and that would be bad. Good video though. Thank you for doing this.
Great Video - so informative and well presented. Chain snapped on me yesterday and didn’t have any links with me ......6 km walk over the hills in the dark. Will be prepared next time, and will get a matching brand chain to my driver train.
If the inside width is identical for 10/11/12 speed Shimano (they call it HG-X), then wouldn't it theoretically work to use a HG-X10 speed 2x/3x crankset with a HG-X11 speed chain? Shimano of course does not say in their compatibility documents that these are compatible, and maybe shifting in the front will not be as smooth, but it should work, right?
@@1911Zoey Done 16 miles but that is hard going and lots of heavy mud as I came back and spent 3 hour washing everything. Yesterday I put on a new derailleur GX 11 speed as my 12 speed is very tired and the 11 speed GX was the same, and the cable for my seat post snapped so changed that, and 4 new bearings on the rear axle and a big difference. The chains I use are Sram PC-1110 as there cheap and use 4 and rotate.
Too your orginal question I run 4 chains too one complete cassette shimano SLX M7000 11/46 and the chains are 114 links and still gives slack at 180mm rear travel and have never broke a chain. Don't use Sram cassettes ae they wear faster.
Great video. Yes, I knew that the chains have direction. I learned from error, my system is 1 x 12 Sram and knowing that it had direction I turned it upside down. I had to do it again and put it well. In the sram chains the quick link has a directional arrow indicating the direction to which it should turn, "forward".
I'm watching this because I got my bike converted to ebike. And I'm thinking of mix matching the gear-set like putting 9 speed RD (can cover 50t cassette) into 8 speed cassette (11-46T) while using 8speed chain because I think the thicker the chain the better. I'm just looking for someone who already did this 😅
I just change my chain on my Trek Marlin 6 and when I searched for help I discovered that Shimano chains only go on one way. So I had to look up what my drive train was.-
I was a pro building commercial bikes in the 1960s now I am trying to build a bike foir grandson and me I have 7 speed Shimano on my trike and I need a new strong chain and he is a Kid with a 20" Down hill. Spanish shops want to sell me a bike but I have to tell them what chain I need. I have no idea. we only had 2 chains when I was building commercial bikes now its crazy! This is all new to me after 50 years !! Well I have a 7 speed, Are they all 7s the same? What chain can I ask for please? UK was a lot easier!
Bought a used fixie.. single speed. Did a whole bunch of Frankenstein work on like four bikes. Swap this, swap that. Turns out they used single speed chain on a mountain bike crank and I'm pretty sure the single sprocket on the rear is 3/32. So.. my mountain bike is now a single speed using the fixie crank and a coaster brake hub (unbraked). The 3/32 chain fits the cruiser hub perfect with reasonable play, but they used a single speed on that too. Now that I beat my head on several bikes, and watching this video twice in the last couple of months, I have determined that manufacturers throw stuff together. And I'm back on ebay reordering a 3/32 half link instead of a single half link because I forgot all the progression of my mayhem. All my components will match if I have to march to the end of the world to get it right, but WOW** really? Does it have to be this way? 😆
So what you’re saying is that if I file down the chain rings on my 21 speed, then I can put a 12 speed cassette on my rear wheel and have a 24÷52 gear ratio?
The fact that you truthfully admit you didnt know some stuff there the more I respected you.Its very hard to find people like you these days. Thank you so much for this very informative video.
Thanks so much!
@@rgmtb Do you see any problem with using a Shimano 11 speed chain on a Shimano 12 speed chain RING? Inner plate dimension is the same, as far as I know, but someone mentioned the Shimano 12 speed chainring has special grooves that may cause the 11 speed to fall off. Any idea about this? I have an 11 speed drivetrain, but want to use a 12 speed crankset/chainring on it (switching square taper on 11 speed to a hollowtech ii).
I think you got 1/2 and 1/8 inch mixed there. The og 1/2 x 1/8" chain is 1/8" wide and the link length is 1/2". You can see it with the naked eye which is longer. But otherwise great stuff!! :)
yep. hurts my brain.
I didn’t know chains were directional, only multi-links, that’s why I only run SRAM. More of these videos Gene.
Same here.
Sram is not directional right?
Coming from bmx, I've seen tons of guys have half link chains on upside down and it feels and sounds horrible until I flip them over and its smooth and quiet
I watched 4 videos to find out why my chain was slipping they all told me to check for wear. Not one told me I had the wrong chain!
This video taught me soo much. Excellent stuff guys. 😊
This was super helpful. I was searching all over the internet to find out about front chainring/cassette/chain compatibility and even emailing some manufacturers but like you said at the beginning, some things they won’t tell you. But this answered my question perfectly. Thanks!!
I just learned that my mtb is a 9 speed although it has 27 speed ratio(9x3: 3 chain rings and 9 on the rear hub’s cassette).
Great video. Thank you 👍
“From 9-12 chain the inner width of the chain is the same”, thanks for the info!
You missed the outside width....
Do not f'up your cassette.
Thanks for teaching me so much I didn't know about bicycle chains
Great video, very informative. Directional chains??? Had no idea. Keep up the good work Gene and Jason 👍
Great video. Everyone who rides needs to see this
This deserves way more views and likes. Awesome content. Thanks guys.
One of the most helpful videos I’ve seen in a long time and I’ve been riding bikes for a long time! Thanks!
I never knew that chains are directional as well 😱, thanks a lot guys for this piece of education really awesome.
Great video, Gene. Lots of useful information and great presentation, as always.
Keep up the great work, man. You rock!
I finally understand. Thanks a lot. It was the most informative video on chains I could find
I've been riding for for many many years and I never new this basic info. Thanks a lot boys.
I feel all the wiser for the time invested. Thanks !
Excellent video! Loved the information and presentation
This video deserves more views...
Great video, much easier than how I figured it all out putting mountain bike cranks on bmx bikes in 1985 and putting single gear on ten speeds
HAHAHAHA! So you've been around the block a few times and done the dirty work. It's not easy to keep up with all this stuff and things change too often!
G-R-E-A-T VIDEO!!! I've definitely learned a lot! All I knew is that chains are different for different cassettes, but I never knew that there are so much nuances and tiny details that should be taken care of!
When in doubt, advertise. Will keep that in mind.
I put a 12 speed chain on a 11 speed transmission of my friend's bike LOL works perfectly fine, 0 problems
this the bike tech on youtube that I've learned the most. Tks
I knew that chains were directional tbh I build my own bikes so that was how I knew, some has arrows and also the master link may themselves may have arrows them.
Great vid, not seen a vid explaining all of this before. Great you made a video explaining all of this. good to have it all in one video.
I knew all of this, but I don't remember where I got all of my knowledge anymore.
A little confusion there on what is 1/8th inch. The center-to-center pin distance (chain pitch) is 1/2 inch (12.7mm) for all standard (non-Campagnolo) bicycle chains and I think the inner width starts out at 3/32 inch for 6/7/8 speed. Otherwise good comparison of chains. Annoyingly Shimano quick-links are rated as single-use items.
Very very helpful! Thank you nice job.
Boy, did I need to know this. Thank you so much. Appreciated the mention of stronger ebike chains. Could have mentioned ebike cassettes along with that. You want a full steel cassette with strong ebike motors.
Ebike chains are not stronger. It it's just commercial thing
@@igorioko I was not clear. I was speaking of a 9 speed chain being thicker and stronger than an 11 or 12 speed chain.
I was thinking the same, until i got experience and this: zerofrictioncycling.com.au/chaintesting/
At 1:00, the pitch of a chain is 1/2", not 1/8"! You musta been nervous, ha ha!
That got me also, had to google it: bicycle chain pitch is exactly 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). This goes for all the bicycle chains, regardless of the speed number.
Great info! One thing that I think you missed was explaining why you're only supposed to used a quick link once. I know most manufactures say that once you take the chain apart you're supposed to get a new quick link. I've never really followed this rule, that's why I'd like it explained better.
Just replace the link when you replace the chain. I have removed the chain many times to service my derailleur and deep-clean the chain. The links are going to wear the same as the roller bearings on the riveted section of the chain. The link is less strong because it is not riveted, but still has plenty of strength to work until the end of the chains life.
This video upload is an enlightenment. Didn't know much about chain until it gave me problem. Thanking you.
As returned back cyclist fromm 9 speed this was informative thanks
I didn't know the chain was directional. Wow I learned so much thanks 👍👍👍
Thank you for great video!
Just for information, They do make 3/32 single speed freewheels for BMX(White Industries & Profile)and most BMX sprockets/chainrings can use a 3/32 chain. Cheers
the chain pitch is always 1/2", not 1/8"
I heard some people prefer a 9speed chain on a 10speed cassette for the thicker links giving more strength. Is there any drawbacks for overall durability ?
I did not know about the directionality (I don't think), but I did know about the shape of the links and how they were engineered to do better with shifting. I only learned about this in the last couple of years.
This is exceptional information to know, though! I am the head coach for a small NICA team out here in Florida and this is helpful for team bike maintenance. Thanks for the video!
Stay upright and keep the rubber side down.
-Brian
I'm so glad this video helped! Jason does a wonderful job explaining bike tech and really hit it out of the park with this one! Keep an eye on the channel because I have a bike review coming up on a HT that a lot of the NICA coaches liked when I showed it to them :-)
Excellent discussions!
Well explain how to pick a chain and characteristics of each chain brand. Thank you for sharing. 👍👍🚵🏻♂️🚵🏻♂️
Thanks for watching!
Sorry... But the barrel to barrel distance is NOT 1/8th inch... It's more like 1/2...
I have a Park CC-4 chain measure tool. I"ll call it stretch, because the tool will either fall through or not, indicating stretch. Assuming this is correct, what I believe you're saying is that the distance from link to link is the same for a 10 speed vs. 11 speed. Therefore, the tool is good for both. I hope I am correct as I maintain my 10 speed and wife 11 speed bikes.
On the direction of Shimano chains.. yes I knew they were directional because it tells you this in Shimanos fitting instructions!
I had no idea. Great in-depth video!
Never knew chains has direction Hehehe
i'm a bike mechanik and i see all the time shimano chains installed wrong but in a pinch it works but the cassett gets damage in a long term use.
I figured out I was old when I was browsing Amazon for a new chain for my 9 speed downhill bike. Found all these cool KMC DLC chains but only in 10 speed. No cool coatings or anything special for 9 speed. Only found the chain, I’m already using
Thank you guys. Great video. Very useful and educational. Have a great day
The tool with three prongs looks cool. Yeah, I knew about Shimano chains.
I honestly can say that I didn't know that about the chains. I know that SRAM chains need to be aligned with the cassette or they don't fit on the teeth well but had no idea about the Shimano directional chains. I enjoyed making this video and learned a lot!
Great video guys.
In my experience as a Melbourne bicycle courier over 4 winters 3 summers where trams drop sand on brakes you get sand on your drivetrain you don't want an "entry level" drivetrain you want Shimano XT and lube at the end of every wet day using a Ritchey kerosene bath chain cleaner on the weekend, you don't want to customize too much stick to factory equipment as say Shimano have the best patents.
thanks for that info. like Dean said in the video, a lot of info I didn't know. i noticed the difference, generally. but, i never took the time to put it all together.
Helpful vid! Thanks! Hey, can I run a KMC chain on a Shimano group?
Chain pitch is 1/2", not 1/8". Drink a beer.
Guy's supposed to be an expert and doesn't even know all chain pitch is 1/2".....He said it more than once too!
@@paul340mopar That got me too, I don't know shit about bike chains and that's why I'm watching but, I do know the difference between 1/8" and 1/2" Duh, had to google chain bike chain pitch to get the correct info: bicycle chain pitch is exactly 1/2 inch (12.7 mm). This goes for all the bicycle chains, regardless of the speed number.
Dudes preaching computer error, and Chinese translated manual's . Then calls all of us a conspiracy.
It's written in the Shimano papers that it's directional. First pic, very big, can't miss it ....... One of the first things I learned as a home mechanic.
I did not know that chains was directional. Thanks for the knowledge.
You guys are awesome 👌
A couple corrections to be made at the beginning of the video. Actually he got the dimensions and terms mixed up. I guess maybe he was nervous or just reading from a script? The distance center to center of the barrels is about 1/2" not the distance between the barrels. Also the distance between the plates is 1/8"-3/32". Also he refers to the "micrometer"...it isnt a micrometer. It is a digital caliper. Small points. But, people watching this video will repeat whats said and that would be bad. Good video though. Thank you for doing this.
thanks my question answered
chain 6-7-8
Thank you so much for this informative video. Happy riding
Never knew. Both of my chains are in backwards
Great Video - so informative and well presented. Chain snapped on me yesterday and didn’t have any links with me ......6 km walk over the hills in the dark. Will be prepared next time, and will get a matching brand chain to my driver train.
That sucks man! Well I'm glad this video helped you and now you can put together a small kit to keep in your bag just incase.
If the inside width is identical for 10/11/12 speed Shimano (they call it HG-X), then wouldn't it theoretically work to use a HG-X10 speed 2x/3x crankset with a HG-X11 speed chain?
Shimano of course does not say in their compatibility documents that these are compatible, and maybe shifting in the front will not be as smooth, but it should work, right?
thank you!
I run 4 chains and change every ride, as I boil them in putoline grease like motocross they last for ages but I do ride 6 days a week.
Do you ever feel the master links getting loose because you remove them so often? Just wondering. Thanks for the comment!
@@rgmtb No but i do rotate and have a stock off new that I use.
Whats the minimum distance you cover every day you ride? How long do your chains last when you rotate them?
@@1911Zoey Done 16 miles but that is hard going and lots of heavy mud as I came back and spent 3 hour washing everything. Yesterday I put on a new derailleur GX 11 speed as my 12 speed is very tired and the 11 speed GX was the same, and the cable for my seat post snapped so changed that, and 4 new bearings on the rear axle and a big difference. The chains I use are Sram PC-1110 as there cheap and use 4 and rotate.
Too your orginal question I run 4 chains too one complete cassette shimano SLX M7000 11/46 and the chains are 114 links and still gives slack at 180mm rear travel and have never broke a chain. Don't use Sram cassettes ae they wear faster.
i learned a few things today from this video.... chain direction of course...the other one >> "yesterYEAR".
Didn't know that direction thing, inner or outer. Good video. Thanks.
no i did not know about printing side vs non print side! i noticed the print on some chains but did not know the difference.
Great video. Yes, I knew that the chains have direction. I learned from error, my system is 1 x 12 Sram and knowing that it had direction I turned it upside down. I had to do it again and put it well. In the sram chains the quick link has a directional arrow indicating the direction to which it should turn, "forward".
What chain lenght is needed for a 1x12?
I didn’t know chains were directional either I’ve only been mountain biking for a couple months though, great tip!
Great video. Thanks for doing it.
Precious for me to know about chain thankful
Great video!! I learned new info and understand better what I "knew" before
He meant to say 1/2" pitch.
Thank you
Can you used 11 speed dereilleur on 10 speed cassette
great video. Thank you.
Excellent and informative. Thank you so much.
Also didn’t know about direction. Thanks so much.
As far as i know only Shimano chains are directional
Thank you!!!!!
Wow! Learnt something informative into chains.
So would a 10 speed chain run more smooth on a 9 speed since its lighter more narrow?
Kmc have non directional design chains don’t they?
I'm watching this because I got my bike converted to ebike. And I'm thinking of mix matching the gear-set like putting 9 speed RD (can cover 50t cassette) into 8 speed cassette (11-46T) while using 8speed chain because I think the thicker the chain the better. I'm just looking for someone who already did this 😅
Just subscribed because of this video great job understanding chains.
Awesome, thank you!
Now I know.. thanks..👍
KMC X8.99/X8 Bicycle Chain (1/2 x 3/32-Inch, 116L, Silver fits perfect on my Schwinn road
I know now great!
I just change my chain on my Trek Marlin 6 and when I searched for help I discovered that Shimano chains only go on one way. So I had to look up what my drive train was.-
I was a pro building commercial bikes in the 1960s now I am trying to build a bike foir grandson and me I have 7 speed Shimano on my trike and I need a new strong chain and he is a Kid with a 20" Down hill. Spanish shops want to sell me a bike but I have to tell them what chain I need. I have no idea. we only had 2 chains when I was building commercial bikes now its crazy! This is all new to me after 50 years !!
Well I have a 7 speed, Are they all 7s the same? What chain can I ask for please? UK was a lot easier!
Thanks..
the guy on the left is Big Bird off Sesame Street
so..... how does any of this line out with the actual deliniations of chain sizes as we should know as the size 35, 40,41,50, etc...
Bought a used fixie.. single speed. Did a whole bunch of Frankenstein work on like four bikes. Swap this, swap that. Turns out they used single speed chain on a mountain bike crank and I'm pretty sure the single sprocket on the rear is 3/32.
So.. my mountain bike is now a single speed using the fixie crank and a coaster brake hub (unbraked). The 3/32 chain fits the cruiser hub perfect with reasonable play, but they used a single speed on that too.
Now that I beat my head on several bikes, and watching this video twice in the last couple of months, I have determined that manufacturers throw stuff together.
And I'm back on ebay reordering a 3/32 half link instead of a single half link because I forgot all the progression of my mayhem. All my components will match if I have to march to the end of the world to get it right, but WOW** really? Does it have to be this way? 😆
This may seem like a stupid question but would the red bmx chain fit my dirt jumper mtb
good info
So what you’re saying is that if I file down the chain rings on my 21 speed, then I can put a 12 speed cassette on my rear wheel and have a 24÷52 gear ratio?
I use KMC X1 SL Silver, I did not have long enough chain I had to cut one add 7 links, but I will ave to buy a 22 link chain.
Great Info! Thanks!!