3

I used to just leave those to the bike shop guys .. but nowadays .. I would prefer learn these basic skills myself

Currently I was searching for a replacement chain for my bike .. was told that for my MTB .. just get a 114 chain .. but I am really curious about all the different lengths .. so would appreciate if someone can help shed some light on the different use cases for the different lengths

9
  • longer chain stays and bigger sprockets require more links. it's as simple as that.
    – Paul H
    Feb 27, 2019 at 16:11
  • 1
    Also, you don't generally buy chain at a specific length. Rather, you (or your LBS) adjust it to suit your bike by removing an appropriate number of links. The needed length of the chain is determined following a chain sizing procedure. Look at the Park Tool Youtube channel, they have great videos showing chain sizing. You will need a chain breaking tool and a "quick link" or "master link". The chain break tool will allow you to remove the extra links, and the master link will allow you to close the chain.
    – user39927
    Feb 27, 2019 at 16:40
  • In addition to @Gaston's comment, shimano chains come usually without quick link or master link but rather one connecting pin that gets pressed into the chain with the chain breaking tool to connect the links that are already on the chain. (this also means you can't open the chain anymore other than with the chain breaking tool.)
    – pseyfert
    Feb 27, 2019 at 17:11
  • 1
    It's easier to shorten a chain that is too long than the opposite. :-) The reason why most chains are sold with 114 or 116 links. Most of the time you'll remove 2 or 3.
    – Carel
    Feb 27, 2019 at 17:13
  • @pseyfert Shimano chains have been available with quick links for a while.
    – Carel
    Feb 27, 2019 at 17:15

2 Answers 2

7

This is one of those topics where the answer has changed with the new directions that bike drivetrains have gone in recent years.

With any chain packaged for consumer use, the basic idea is they come long enough to cover all the common use cases, and you should expect to cut it down to fit your bike. On a derailleur bike, the right length is usually seen as being a function of chainstay length, the size of the largest chainring and cog, and whatever extra length the rear derailleur maker recommends. On suspension bikes, the effect that suspension travel has on effective chainstay length must be accounted for.

Optimal chain length itself is a topic there are many questions here about, and there are more ways of doing it that might lead to different results than might be initially suspected. For example, for road bikes where you want to have wheel/cassette swappability to take full advantage of the rear derailleur's maximum capacity without having to swap chains along with wheels (for example to swap in an 11-28 cassette for a climbier day versus 11-23 for flat), in the eyes of many it makes more sense to size off the small/small combo, even though no manufacturer recommends this approach in their instructions.

However, what's happened lately is there are more bikes with drivetrain setups that feature both "big" chainrings and cogs, sometimes alongside tires with bigger outside diameters than in years past, and the longer chainstays that come with them. For example, an extreme example is in the shop I work at, we handle a certain "adventure touring"-ish bike that comes with a 48t large ring, 34t large cog, and 700x48 aka 29x1.95 tires with chainstays even longer than strictly necessary for that tire size. It needs a 118 link chain, which exists but is uncommon, and it's a frequent mistake for people and even mechanics to go to install a replacement chain onto it and find the one they picked out comes too short.

From this you can probably infer how different bike categories creep into needing the less common 116 and 118 link chains even though historically 112 and 114 have been enough. Honestly this is an area where a lot of mistakes are still being made and what appears on retail shelves hasn't necessarily caught up to the greater diversity of bikes out there. I don't think it's so much a matter of manufacturers or retailers pinching pennies on the extra links; probably before long there will be a new equilibrium and most chains will come at 116 or perhaps 118.

1
  • Wow!! That is indeed very insightful!! No wonder I saw some online ecommerce sites are selling 120 links chains Feb 28, 2019 at 16:07
1

For a multi-geared bicycle, the shortest chain is needed from the small gear to the small sprocket, and the longest chain is needed from the large gear to the largest sprocket. The cage will rotate to accommodate the difference. Any chain longer than the longest distance will sag and be prone to chainslap and derailment, so that's the reason for the shorter chain lengths.

4
  • I think the question is why there are different lengths, since you have to cut the chain anyway and a few links more or less isn't reflected in price.
    – ojs
    Feb 27, 2019 at 19:42
  • I think this answer is on the right path and could be developed a bit further - perhaps with illustrating chain length sizes relative to cassette types (e.g. 11-28T requiring fewer links than say 11-34T).
    – shalomb
    Nov 1, 2020 at 21:44
  • @shalomb - different bikes have also different distances between pedal axle and rear wheel axle - different between different sizes of the same model, and different between the same sizes of different models (i.e. a city bike will have a longer chainstay than a road bike). As for full suspension bikes, the length of the needed chain changes as the suspension "works" - a couple of links is usual, I think. Nov 3, 2020 at 19:34
  • A link breaking tool is also a link joining tool - only its a bit more tricky to use. Worth carrying a few spare links plus a chain breaker, for those emergencies! Jan 4, 2021 at 2:15

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.