3/16 Chains?

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Date: 31 Aug 2007 19:14:08
From: Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition Ž
Subject: 3/16 Chains?

I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link for
a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

Date: 02 Sep 2007 10:07:29
From: Nate Knutson
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

On Sep 2, 2:56 am, meb <meb.2wa...@no-mx.forums.cyclingforums.com >
wrote:
> Nate Knutson Wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Aug 31, 4:14 pm, "Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition =AE"
> > <b...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> > > I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and
> > single
> > > speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a
> > half-link for
> > > a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16.
> > TIA..
>
> > It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
> > still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
> > needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
> > believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
> > which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
> > massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
> > twice as large as a 3/32.
>
> > They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
> > popularity level is like currently in that area.
>
> > Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
> > singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
> > And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
> > every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
> > thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
> > to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
> > the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
> > or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
> > the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.
>
> > But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
> > and just use a halflink chain? $$$
>
> Wasn't there also the 3/16 X 1 inch chain used with the skip tooth
> sprockets-an old standard that died out in the 40s or 50s, or did the
> BMX folks adapt the old standard?
>
> Did the BMX folks use the 3/16x1 or 3/16x 1/2?
>
> --
> meb

i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
true that is.

Date: 02 Sep 2007 18:23:07
From: Zog The Undeniable
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

Nate Knutson wrote:

> i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
> inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
> using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
> true that is.
>
The 1" pitch stuff was for track use.

Date: 02 Sep 2007 21:49:38
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

> Nate Knutson wrote
>> i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
>> inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
>> using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
>> true that is.

Zog The Undeniable wrote:
> The 1" pitch stuff was for track use.

Well, yes it lingered on the track. As did steel cranks, steel stems and
other things, merely by trackies' conservatism, after most cyclists
abandoned them. All were once found on regular coaster brake bikes, too
and not all that long ago (50~60 years)
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Date: 02 Sep 2007 14:42:02
From:
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

On Sun, 02 Sep 2007 18:23:07 +0100, Zog The Undeniable
<hrothgar19@yahoo.com > wrote:

>Nate Knutson wrote:
>
>> i have no idea about 3/16 x 1. all the bmx 3/16 chains use normal 1/2
>> inch pitch. someone told me at some point that it started with folks
>> using chains from some motorized application, but i have no idea how
>> true that is.
>>
>The 1" pitch stuff was for track use.

Dear Zog,

Inch-pitch skip-tooth chain was the original chain used on most
bicycles back in the 1890's.

Block versus roller is another exciting complication for those who
grow dizzy when pondering ancient minutiae:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/fff7c6fd3203d004

As Frank Berto pointed out in the quote near the end of that post,
half-inch became more and more popular from about 1900 onward.

Some examples of inch-pitch skip-tooth . . .

Here's the Latimer treadle bicycle, whose weird twin front sprockets
show the skip-tooth spacing of inch-pitch:

http://i9.tinypic.com/4taqys4.jpg

Here's an 1890 Victor safety--you can see the skip blocks in the chain
just behind the pedal:

http://www.nostalgic.net/pictures/1674.htm

Here are some skip-tooth sprockets from an 1890's tandem:

http://www.nostalgic.net/index.asp?S=arc/pre1920/1890%27s+Tandem+parts+3%2Ejpg

Skip-tooth on 1893 Elliott Hickory (wooden spoke):

http://www.nostalgic.net/pictures/1649.htm

A 1900's child's bicycle with skip-tooth front sprocket visible:

http://www.nostalgic.net/index.asp?S=arc/pre1920/1900%27s+childs+bike+2%2Ejpg

The original inch-pitch chain was gradually replaced by modern
half-inch pitch chain from 1900 onward. The last holdouts to use
inch-pitch were track bikes, whose riders sometimes justified their
retro preference with the amusing claim that only inch-pitch could
stand up to their powerful legs.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Date: 01 Sep 2007 13:17:37
From: Zog The Undeniable
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

Date: 01 Sep 2007 05:37:36
From: Chalo
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

On Aug 31, 8:29 pm, A Muzi <a...@yellowjersey.org > wrote:
>
> 1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
> in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
> common and cheap for 1/8 chain.

When you say "track chain", do you mean regular $5 chain, the stuff
that was just "bicycle chain" before our pristine shores were tainted
by derailleurs? Or do you mean some kind of pista-specific chain?

Chalo

Date: 01 Sep 2007 15:02:44
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

> A Muzi <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote:
>> 1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
>> in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
>> common and cheap for 1/8 chain.

Chalo wrote:
> When you say "track chain", do you mean regular $5 chain, the stuff
> that was just "bicycle chain" before our pristine shores were tainted
> by derailleurs? Or do you mean some kind of pista-specific chain?

Right. I meant just regular 1/2 x 1/8 'three speed' or 'bmx' or 'track'
chain.
Running single setups with 3/32 chain is just more trouble, faster wear,
no advantage at all. And half-links are rare for most commonly
available 3/32 chain.
Of course real Keirin chain is nice, just not necessary.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Date: 31 Aug 2007 20:29:14
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition Ž wrote:
> I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
> speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link for
> a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
common and cheap for 1/8 chain.
3/16 is a 'heavy duty' option for flatland and other abused bikes.
18 and 3/16 will run on both 'road' and 'track' equipment. 3/32 can't
use normal 1/8 track cogs and rings, must use the optional 'skinny' stuff.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

Date: 01 Sep 2007 21:37:02
From: John Thompson
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

On 2007-09-01, A Muzi <am@yellowjersey.org > wrote:

> 1/8 track chain is a good choice for singles. It's cheap, durable, comes
> in ten colors and, when you have the wrong frame ends, half-links are
> common and cheap for 1/8 chain.

It is also versatile, being able to work with cogs and chainrings
intended for either 3/32" or 1/8" width. This means there are a lot more
parts available to you in a pinch.

--

John (john@os2.dhs.org)

Date: 31 Aug 2007 17:38:13
From: Nate Knutson
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

On Aug 31, 4:14 pm, "Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition =AE"
<b...@bellsouth.net > wrote:
> I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and single
> speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a half-link f=
or
> a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16. TIA..

It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
twice as large as a 3/32.

They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
popularity level is like currently in that area.

Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.

But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
and just use a halflink chain? $$$

Date: 02 Sep 2007 19:56:53
From: meb
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

Nate Knutson Wrote:
> On Aug 31, 4:14 pm, "Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition Ž"
> <b...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> > I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx an
> single
> > speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get
> half-link for
> > a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16.
> TIA..
>
> It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
> still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
> needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
> believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
> which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
> massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
> twice as large as a 3/32.
>
> They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
> popularity level is like currently in that area.
>
> Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
> singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
> And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
> every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
> thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
> to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
> the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
> or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
> the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.
>
> But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
> and just use a halflink chain? $$$

Wasn't there also the 3/16 X 1 inch chain used with the skip toot
sprockets-an old standard that died out in the 40s or 50s, or did th
BMX folks adapt the old standard?

Did the BMX folks use the 3/16x1 or 3/16x 1/2

--
meb

Date: 02 Sep 2007 21:34:34
From: A Muzi
Subject: Re: 3/16 Chains?

>> "Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition Ž" <b...@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>> I know 3/32 are the derailleur chains (5-6-7-8spd), and 1/8 bmx and
>> single
>>> speed, but what are the 3/16 chains for? I'm trying to get a
>> half-link for
>>> a single speed project and not sure if I should get 3/32 or 3/16.

> Nate Knutson Wrote:
>> It is mostly a somewhat past fad in BMX freestyle. The chains are
>> still out there but most serious riders have turned away from
>> needlessly or somewhat needlessly overbuilt stuff. Also I don't
>> believe 3/16 generaly will work on cogs/drivers smaller than 13t,
>> which are now commonplace. Unless your chain is obviously really
>> massive and hulking, you don't have a 3/16. They are, you know, about
>> twice as large as a 3/32.
>>
>> They're also used on mod trials bikes, but I have no idea what their
>> popularity level is like currently in that area.
>>
>> Also note that 3/32 singlespeed chains are widely used for various
>> singlespeed/internal apps. 3/32 halflinks wouldn't exist otherwise.
>> And also note that halflinks don't just automatically work well on
>> every chain in the right general size standard. The inner link
>> thickness of the chain they're put on must be identical or very close
>> to the inner link part of the halflink. This could very easily not be
>> the case if you're putting a 3/32 halflink on a random derailer chain
>> or a 1/8 halflink on a random funky BMX chain that's technically under
>> the nominal 1/8 umbrella but is really it's own thing.
>>
>> But as long as you need a halflink anyway, why not get freaky styley
>> and just use a halflink chain? $$$

meb wrote:
> Wasn't there also the 3/16 X 1 inch chain used with the skip tooth
> sprockets-an old standard that died out in the 40s or 50s, or did the
> BMX folks adapt the old standard?
> Did the BMX folks use the 3/16x1 or 3/16x 1/2?

flatland bikes still use 1/2 x 3/16.
The 1" x 3/16 replaced block chain and is a rare animal nowadays.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971