Mountain Bike Chains Explained | Learn all about mtb bike chains

Mountain Bike Chains Explained | Learn all about mtb bike chains | SRAM and Shimano chain link

Рет қаралды 138,323

Күн бұрын

Will a 9 speed chain work on your 11 speed cassette?
Can you share SRAM and Shimano chain links?
In this video my good friend Jason Ziegler helps us all learn about bike chains.
Huge thanks to my good friend Jason for helping me create this video. Please check out his bike shop at www.sussexbike.com/
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Пікірлер: 306

@seofilipino 3 жыл бұрын

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 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@ericrollins4607 2 жыл бұрын

@@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).

@brandonl5653 Жыл бұрын

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 👍

@jackadler5941 4 жыл бұрын

I didn’t know chains were directional, only multi-links, that’s why I only run SRAM. More of these videos Gene.

@bikdav 4 жыл бұрын

Same here.

@questplayes4099 3 жыл бұрын

Sram is not directional right?

@silentfox8 3 жыл бұрын

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

@palangimiko 2 жыл бұрын

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!!

@taneliharkonen2463 3 жыл бұрын

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!! :)

@SyedAhmedSakif 3 ай бұрын

yep. hurts my brain.

@RGCastro7 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, Gene. Lots of useful information and great presentation, as always. Keep up the great work, man. You rock!

@nickbrown9895 Жыл бұрын

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. 😊

@himalayanweekender3295 3 жыл бұрын

This deserves way more views and likes. Awesome content. Thanks guys.

@BLINKGOLD311 2 жыл бұрын

One of the most helpful videos I’ve seen in a long time and I’ve been riding bikes for a long time! Thanks!

@losertheteacher 4 жыл бұрын

I finally understand. Thanks a lot. It was the most informative video on chains I could find

@Samuel-is8mk 3 жыл бұрын

“From 9-12 chain the inner width of the chain is the same”, thanks for the info!

@LilRedDog 3 жыл бұрын

You missed the outside width.... Do not f'up your cassette.

@cwsmith17 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Everyone who rides needs to see this

@srdjanbabic8304 2 жыл бұрын

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!

@WolfAs243 3 ай бұрын

This video deserves more views...

@mywaveinwoodswoodperfumes 3 жыл бұрын

I never knew that chains are directional as well 😱, thanks a lot guys for this piece of education really awesome.

@DanDan-fu6sd 3 ай бұрын

I've been riding for for many many years and I never new this basic info. Thanks a lot boys.

@biamarconchi 3 жыл бұрын

this the bike tech on youtube that I've learned the most. Tks

@Oiii615 3 жыл бұрын

This video upload is an enlightenment. Didn't know much about chain until it gave me problem. Thanking you.

@tilleylepew5944 2 жыл бұрын

I feel all the wiser for the time invested. Thanks !

@joestella9181 4 жыл бұрын

Great video, very informative. Directional chains??? Had no idea. Keep up the good work Gene and Jason 👍

@mikeosinski50 4 жыл бұрын

I didn't know the chain was directional. Wow I learned so much thanks 👍👍👍

@davidnguyen1305 4 жыл бұрын

I had no idea. Great in-depth video!

@mtbboy1993 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@radkin9747 Жыл бұрын

Excellent video! Loved the information and presentation

@anthonyquinones1465 3 жыл бұрын

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

@rgmtb 3 жыл бұрын

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!

@davejoseph5615 8 ай бұрын

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.

@leonidjhonecuacion2312 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you guys. Great video. Very useful and educational. Have a great day

@JamesBSweet 4 жыл бұрын

Great video!! I learned new info and understand better what I "knew" before

@johnthorne9077 2 жыл бұрын

Very very helpful! Thank you nice job.

@desmond5593 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this informative video. Happy riding

@namdarbolour9890 3 жыл бұрын

At 1:00, the pitch of a chain is 1/2", not 1/8"! You musta been nervous, ha ha!

@danv9431 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@mikeflower3308 Жыл бұрын

As returned back cyclist fromm 9 speed this was informative thanks

@GEORGEEEJ 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent and informative. Thank you so much.

@BrianVaughn 4 жыл бұрын

The tool with three prongs looks cool. Yeah, I knew about Shimano chains.

@rgmtb 4 жыл бұрын

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!

@johnvmtb5440 3 жыл бұрын

Well explain how to pick a chain and characteristics of each chain brand. Thank you for sharing. 👍👍🚵🏻‍♂️🚵🏻‍♂️

@rgmtb 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@StanZanti 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks for doing it.

@krehlcook406 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for great video!

@butchcatajoy5049 3 жыл бұрын

When in doubt, advertise. Will keep that in mind.

@freerangemtb 4 жыл бұрын

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

@rgmtb 4 жыл бұрын

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 :-)

@JMoney-ne3to 11 ай бұрын

Great video guys.

@DavosPessos 2 жыл бұрын

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.

@seahyongsen5670 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Learnt something informative into chains.

@richlijacanacua 8 ай бұрын

Excellent discussions!

@gezfarnsworth1007 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@rgmtb 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@iancraig2507 3 жыл бұрын

Also didn’t know about direction. Thanks so much.

@pind32 3 жыл бұрын

As far as i know only Shimano chains are directional

@johndavis3938 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@cwsmith17 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@nohandle257 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@igorioko 3 жыл бұрын

Ebike chains are not stronger. It it's just commercial thing

@nohandle257 3 жыл бұрын

@@igorioko I was not clear. I was speaking of a 9 speed chain being thicker and stronger than an 11 or 12 speed chain.

@igorioko 3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same, until i got experience and this: zerofrictioncycling.com.au/chaintesting/

@southburlingtonplanetfitne7729 Жыл бұрын

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.

@CORYJOHNM 2 жыл бұрын

Didn't know that direction thing, inner or outer. Good video. Thanks.

@MrMegamonkey007 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏 I learn something new 🧐 .

@davidlocklear8738 Жыл бұрын

I did not know that chains was directional. Thanks for the knowledge.

@fra93ilgrande 5 ай бұрын

I put a 12 speed chain on a 11 speed transmission of my friend's bike LOL works perfectly fine, 0 problems

@techbug5661 Жыл бұрын

You guys are awesome 👌

@sergiogomezphotography 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, thank you

@Dadridesbikes 3 жыл бұрын

Helpful vid! Thanks! Hey, can I run a KMC chain on a Shimano group?

@huttone 3 жыл бұрын

Great Info! Thanks!!

@jelespuru 2 жыл бұрын

great video. Thank you.

@tecatedon9262 3 жыл бұрын

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

@yankeepalu8627 Жыл бұрын

Just subscribed because of this video great job understanding chains.

@rgmtb Жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

@koyotekola6916 10 ай бұрын

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.

@enriquegomezmolina 4 жыл бұрын

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".

@leventeszabo802 Жыл бұрын

What chain lenght is needed for a 1x12?

@HobbiesInterests 4 жыл бұрын

i learned a few things today from this video.... chain direction of course...the other one >> "yesterYEAR".

@mikieson 4 жыл бұрын

Good info thanks

@kotawtharmtbmogok8433 2 жыл бұрын

Precious for me to know about chain thankful

@rickb6029 3 жыл бұрын

the chain pitch is always 1/2", not 1/8"

@davidm5003 3 жыл бұрын

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 ?

@bosatsu76 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry... But the barrel to barrel distance is NOT 1/8th inch... It's more like 1/2...

@GleN95o Жыл бұрын

I didn’t know chains were directional either I’ve only been mountain biking for a couple months though, great tip!

@kochumvk 3 жыл бұрын

Great Video.

@randomthoughts8346 3 жыл бұрын

thanks my question answered chain 6-7-8

@Shawnxsather Ай бұрын

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

@Van-du8uz 4 жыл бұрын

Great video learned bunch from it. I have a 2006-2008 (not sure on the year) Trek Fuel EX5 17.5 inch bike that has a Sram SX5 Sifters front Shimano derailer and Sram SX in the back. 9 speed cassette it the back 3 in the front. I need to replace the chain and not sure which one to get. What's the best chain to get for it? appreciate the help

@augustindebie2397 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@jasonmorris858 3 жыл бұрын

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.

@artisticgirl3892 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Very informative! Learned a lot. I wanted to ask though if a Shimano m6100 chain (12speed) will work with SRAM NX chainring?

@rgmtb 3 жыл бұрын

I'm a little hesitant to recommend that. NX is 10 speed and you are looking to put a 12 speed (tighter spacing) chain on it. Look, you can "make" a lot of things work but you need to ask yourself if it's really a good idea.

@JeanFrancoisDesrosiers 3 жыл бұрын

Good info. Did not know.

@roncooke2188 3 жыл бұрын

I know now great!

@mtbboy1993 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@andrewd.2084 3 жыл бұрын

Now I know.. thanks..👍

@briantruck2284 3 жыл бұрын

KMC X8.99/X8 Bicycle Chain (1/2 x 3/32-Inch, 116L, Silver fits perfect on my Schwinn road

@petercook7502 Жыл бұрын

On the direction of Shimano chains.. yes I knew they were directional because it tells you this in Shimanos fitting instructions!

@olegpetelevitch4443 4 жыл бұрын

Yes !

@randyrecto8367 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!!!!!

@josephselim797 4 жыл бұрын

great. thanks

@ismulazam305 3 жыл бұрын

good info

@suntzuwarsword1964 7 ай бұрын

Thank you

@osanoregxh 3 жыл бұрын

Never knew chains has direction Hehehe

@freevideos051 3 жыл бұрын

Good info

@anthonyvee 3 жыл бұрын

Hi there and thank you for the informative lesson. I have an old, cheap, "mountain?" bike, and I'd like to replace my chain and possibly the rear freewheel cassette which jumps cogs once in a blue moon to another the same type and gear #. My bike has two disks in the front Crank and 6 gears In the back. Thus it says on it, 12 speed bike. so when above you're talking about 5,6,7,8-12 and so on gears, that make the difference in the width of the chain, are you talking total speeds, meaning front and back OR these new fancy really multigear cassettes in the back only? thank you for your time.

@joshualapurga3431 Жыл бұрын

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 😅

@jimhessbass 4 жыл бұрын

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.

@xnoreq 2 жыл бұрын

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?

@Dom-pf8wd Жыл бұрын

Great video!...I've been wondering why my (barely used) 9 SPEED 2005 Giant Rainier Mt. Bike keeps ghost jumping speeds.Come to find out it came with an 8 Speed (3/32) chain from the factory.What up with that?...One correction though (and maybe I'm wrong), I think you misspoke in the beginning when you said the standard pitch is 1/8 when it's 1/2.Just for clarification.

@bernardobolson9045 Жыл бұрын

So could we say that a Sram Force 12v road groupset chain could be compatible and serve with a Mountain Bike 12-speed Xx1 cassette? Could I use it like this? Thank you very much

@onecuriouscookie7615 4 жыл бұрын

Na I didn't know that, thansk for the heads up

@vazza69 4 жыл бұрын

Cool video! I wanna if there's a good reason why i cant run a sram chain on a shimano drivetrain and vice versa? :P I see that shimano has a recomended chain for "every derailleur.

@davidpauli8494 3 жыл бұрын

Does a chain that is rated for 6/7/8 speed need to have links removed before installation to match your gearing? I have never changed a chain and didnt know if they work right out the box if I bought the correct chain for my system.