…well maybe you can help me? I have a KMC Z510 HX chain, which is fine links/length-wise…until it stretches. Once it stretches the wheel has to come out in the dropout a couple of mm and the pads no longer make full contact with all the rotor (brakes are Shimano Deore M595). The caliper will not move any further along its dropout fixing as the rear caliper bolt hits the frame. Removing a link makes Mr Chain too short.

Any hoo, my question is…what chain are you running? Especially if you’re using the same calipers.

I am not running a Whippet but, won’t all chains start the same length and then stretch from there? I suspect the problem will either be solved with different brakes, with a different rotor size? Or more cheaply and easily, a half link on the chain?

Get yourself a half link!

All chains will have the exact same distance between links (give or take a manufacturing tolerance( unless you go half link…..or get out the Dremel !!!

I’ve got a Whippet with 32:16 and I might even have the same chain as you. I had problems getting the chain tension right at first and sorted it by putting a half link in the chain. Worked perfectly.

Chain drove me nearly mad at first whilst trying diff combos of links and cog teeth sizes. Add a link, take out a link, add a link…aaaggghhhhh!! Anyone direct me to a half link that will work for my chain? Are they universal? Maybe I need a KMC-specific one?

I just mentioned it in my LBS and he gave me a length of half-link chain so I used a link from that. Any will do as long as it’s for the correct chain size i.e. 1/8″.

tada: answer to everyones single speed chain length problems: http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/kmc-half-link-279-p.asp

get the 3/32″ one for the chain you have.

That will do the trick but it’s an expensive way of doing it. Try and find a bit of left over half link chain first like I did. Also isn’t that chain 1/8″ not 3/32″? I think it is but best to check.

ahh yep, that chain is 1/8″ – I was thinking of the 610 which is the narrower one which is quite commonly used on mtb conversions.

In which case go for the 1/8″ for your chain. It’s only £2.99 and delivered for free and comes next day.

Thanks peop’s…out of stock though 🙁

This is the best solution – just use it with two master links. It’s much more secure than the normal half-link, it’s all I consider using.

Like this –

Not my photo BTW – I only have one master link each side and I always have my spring clips with the closed end facing forwards 😉

Shirley that’s 3 master links…

I do the same on my Pompino to run it at 39:16. I bought a full half-link chain in 3/32″ flavour to rob a link out of each time I change the chain. It seemed better value than buying the half-links on their own… PM me if you need a 3/32″ half-link!

p7rich – I might have a couple of spare half links I can give you. E-mail me if interested.

Thanks all.

@Simon. Chain is 1/8″…but thanks anyway.

@Mr Mills. Email on the way. Mucho appreciado.

All sorted. Half-link added, all running fine, and a nice warming felling in my tummy ref helpfulness of STW. 🙂

8)

Once I came around to realising a bit of slack in the chain isn’t worth losing sleep over, life improved no end.

Sure your not being too picky are you ?

The diff with a single link was waaaay beyond a “bit of slack” with this chain. Best compromise was running with the pads only contacting 2/3 of the rotor surface. Ran fine for nearly a year but decided to sort it properly hence this thread.