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I have a road bike that was converted to single speed with a single sprocket on the read wheel and a single chainring.

I had a 3/32 chain which worked perfectly fine. However after many kms and apparent chains stretch I decided to replace the chain.

I replaced the chain with a single speed 1/8 chain which I assumed would work perfectly, given that there's a single sprocket and chain pitch is standard.

All modern bicycle chains are made to the “one-half inch pitch” standard, meaning from rivet to rivet is nominally 0.5 inches. The sprocket teeth are cut for this same one-half inch standard to accept bicycle chains. However, this does not mean all makes and models of chains are interchangeable. source

Since I replaced the chain, the chain skips on the rear sprocket due to what appear to be misalignment which compounds after a couple of revolutions and then skips.

I tried adjusting the chain tension but that doesn't seem to help.

Hypothesis to explain the problem:

  • The stretched chain had deviated from standard pitch and caused the sprocket (which is relatively old) to match it through constant wear.

How reasonable is that? Should I just replace the sprocket? Could the problem be elsewhere?

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    On a geared bike the usual approximation is 2 chains per cassette. On a single speed with only 1 sprocket to wear, it seems likely that a new sprocket will be needed whenever the chain is changed
    – Andy P
    Feb 28, 2019 at 10:21

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Yes, the stretched chain wears the chain ring and sprockets to match its pitch. It's recommended to use a chain gauge (such as this one by Park Tools) so you can replace your chain before it's stretched enough to do significant damage to the rest of the drive train. If you do let the chain stretch too far, you'll need to change the cassette/rear cog and/or chain ring(s).

The teeth of new chain rings have a mostly symmetrical profile; worn ones acquire a characteristic "shark fin" shape that's steeper on one side than the other and quite pointy at the top. On a one-by or single-speed bike, that's pretty easy to identify; on a bike with front derailleurs, be aware that the chain rings tend to have several teeth with funny profiles from new, to aid with shifting.

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Why did you replace a 3/32" chain with a 1/8" one?? I agree that it seems like it would work, given the pitch and lack of cages to run through, but there will still be a lot of sideways slop leading to, at least, more noise and wear. And no benefit whatsoever. And the narrower chains are even more common.

Often the diameter of the pins is greater on 1/8" chains, so it might not be seating well between the teeth. The most common cause of a new chain skipping is an over-tight joining link but that should not happen on a single-speed setup, though it could if it's really tight, but you probably would have seen that. And I second the answer about wear to the teeth profiles. Consider replacing the rear sprocket.

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  • I just heard that 1/8" chains are more robust and have a longer life and I thought why not given the compatibility.
    – Daniel
    Feb 28, 2019 at 13:41

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