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Are they any good?
I need a 3/32 one and reviews seem fairly critical of them in terms of stretching and breaking.
I don't want to go for a 1/8 size chain as I had one previously and I think it's the reason why my front chain ring ended up being chewed up.
Any positive experiences with using these in 3/32 size on a singlespeed for at least 6-12 months?
Spend the money and you will be fine, avoid cheap ones.
not really.
Why bother? - just use something like a KMC Z610.
Andy, I have quite a neat tensioning solution, but it's a little limited in range in that it's only about 3/4 of a link.
So, my options are to either find a half link chain of good repute, or change my tensioning solution.
Just fit a 3/32 hlaf link to a standard chain?
Infact, here you go, Ive done the work for you
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chain-half-link-3-32-inch-each-prod6982/
Half-links are more "stretchy" than standard links, as the double-kink in the side plates can be bent back. So a chain made of them is going to stretch waaayyyy fast. But a single link in a normal chain should be fine.
my experience of a half link chain was that it weighed abotu 4lb's - I think they're mostly designed for bmxers to grind on...
Thanks all. Very helpful link David, cheers.
Slightly confused by the stretchy comments. I always assumed stretch was wear at the pin and surrounding roller rather than elastic stretch. If that is the case I can see no reason they would stretch any faster, maybe the wheel slipped?
I've always used gusset or clarks and as above they weigh loads as they are often designed to grind.
Check out crc including the bmx section.
Is it possible to buy those halflinks in bulk anywhere. It'd be much cheaper to do that and use a cheap singlespeed chain than spend £20 on a halflink chain everytime.
No, halfink chains aren't the same as standard chains so you can't just buy one and split it unfortunately. It migh only be aesthetic but the plates are a different shape.
Ive used half link chains on my bmx, they always stretch very quickly. But its no problem to just remove a link and then they're good again after that.
Half links are stretchy and heavy.
A half link chain gives you adjustment of +/- 1/4", altering your chain ring size by 1 tooth gives adjustments of +/- 1/8". These dims are in terms of CS length.
Go for a neat regular chain, then adjust chain length with chain ring size?
6-12 months from a chain, you'll be very lucky to get that from a half link chain. On my BMX, with a 1/8 chain, i get about 6 months before it has "stretched".
I always assumed stretch was wear at the pin and surrounding roller rather than elastic stretch
It is on a normal chain, the bend in the half-links give an extra failure mode.