Bicycle Chain Test 2021 – Advisor & Topic Overview

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The bicycle chain is a complex construct. It must fit to the bikes gears, have the right length (chain link count) and width (pins). In our bicycle chain knowledge base we provide you with all the basics and fundamentals on that topic. So you know which chain fits your bike best!

Whether a bicycle chain will fit your bike or not mainly depends on your shifting. Your drivetrain determines which chain is compatible. For this we give you tips on how to find the right chain for your bike. An unsuitable chain leads to bad shifting performance, a higher wear on all drivetrain components and the chain is more likely to break.

The right bicycle chain

When buying a new bicycle chain, you need to check what type of shifting and how many gears your bike has. Take a look at the bikes gear (sprockets and chainrings).

Compatibility – be careful before buying

Bicycle parts are rarely standardized, not every brake lever fits every handlebar. Not every handlebar to every stem, etc. Read here our tips on bicycle chain compatibility – here’s what you need to look out for:

  • With the new chain, the most important thing is that it fits your bikes shifting. The chains pins must be of different length depending on how many sprockets (gears) in the rear you have. Bicycles without an external derailleur (rear shifting) or with hub gears have wider bicycle chains. So do single speeds and fixie/track bikes. For bikes equipped with a rear derailleur, all depends on the number of sprockets at the back of the bike.
  • New bicycle chains are usually too long (count of chain links). Because on assembly it is assumed that you first shorten the chain to the right length (with the help of a chain riveter tool), fitting to your bikes sprocket and chainrings size.

Two types are distinguished: Many Sprockets vs Single Sprocket.

  • Do you shift by hub or derailleur? The hub gear has only one sprocket on the rear wheel, the rear shifting is hidden in the wheel (the hub). With derailleur shifting on the other hand, you have 5-13 sprockets at the rear and 1-3 chainrings at the front. (This then results in a drivetrain with 18, 21, 24 or more gear combinations – but at this point only the number of rear sprockets is relevant).
  • If it is a hub gear: is it a narrow or wide hub gear? A wide hub gear can be identified by the fact that the sprocket is much wider than in a derailleur actuated shifter. If you are unsure, go for the wider chain – this always fits and is generally more recommended for hub gears.
  • If it is a derailleur: count the rear sprockets. The number of sprockets is decisive for the choice of the right chain.
  • Or do you have no gear – are you on the road with a track bike / singlespeed? Then scroll down all the way to the tips below.

So what bicycle chain do I need?

We assume you now know what shifting you have (external derailleur and count of sprockets in the rear OR a hub gear). Which chain goes with it? Generally, the chains are distinguished by their links (width) and the length of the chain (defined by the number of chain links). In addition, quality is an important criterion, because not all cheap chains are made with a lot of quality control. We recommend investing a few bucks more here. A poorly made chain that wears quickly also leads to faster wear on the sprockets and chainrings – which are generally more expensive than a chain alone. Read more about it in our guide to the chain gauge, which is used to determine the wear of the chain.

Differences and characteristics of the bicycle chains

Chains are distinguished primarily by the length of the pin (connecting pin) and the width of the rollers (rings within the individual chain links).

All bicycle chain links are the same length (pin to pin) – no matter the shifting! Only the width is decisive.

Bicycle Chain Size
All bicycle chains have the same length between the pins: 1/2 inch (equivalent to 12.7mm)

But it’s not the length (1/2 inch) that matters, it’s the width. Because on the basis of the width decides whether it fits your bikes drivetrain and shifting. There are two types of bicycle chain construction forms and two relevant sizes in width: pin length (equivalent to outer width) and inner width.

a) is the outer width of a chain and b) the inner width – dark blue are the outer link plates of the chain, pins and rollers; light blue are the inner link plates (with and without collar).

For chain size, there is always the specification of length times width, e.g. 1/2” x 3/32”. This means that the chain has an inner width of 3/32 inch (2.2mm).

As a rule of thumb, the inner width is always specified, since most chains today are “bearing collar chains” and here the inner width determines how flexible a chain is. The more gears, the more flexible the chain must be. The pin length is also important, because the inner width of modern chains can not get any smaller (about 2.2mm), so the pin length is also getting smaller.

Common bicycle chain widths

  • 1/2″ x 11/128″ ~ 2.2mm – pin length approx 5.6 mm: Derailleur with 11 sprockets (for example, for 2 x 11 gears),
  • 1/2″ x 11/128″ ~ 2.2mm – pin length approx 6.0mm: Derailleur with 10 sprockets (e.g. for 3 x 10 gears)
  • 1/2″ x 11/128″ ~ 2.2mm – Pin length approx 6.5mm to 7.0mm: Derailleur with 9 sprockets (e.g. for 3 x 9 gears)
  • 1/2″ x 3/32″ ~ 2.4mm – Pin length > 7.0mm: Derailleur with 5, 6, 7 and 8 sprockets (e.g. for older steel road bikes with compact cassettes)
  • 1/2″ x 1/8″ ~ 3.2mm – pin length approx 9.0mm: in combination with 1/8″ (inch) chains (with wide hub gears, singlespeed, fixie or track bike)

IMPORTANT: Down it goes – but never up! This means a narrow chain (11-speed) will also always work on 10-, 9-, 8-speed, etc. (although this is not  optimal). However, a “wide” chain (8-speed or hub) will not be compatible at all with 9-, 10-, 11-speed.

The “pin length” refers to the pin that holds the individual parts of a chain link together. The shorter the bolt, the more clearance the lugs and rollers have between them. This makes the chain more flexible and gives it greater leeway when shifting gears. With longer pins, on the other hand, the chain sits more stable on the sprockets and it is less likely that the chain will drop off.

Master pin or chain link?

Another criterion of the bicycle chain is the method of installing the new chain to the bike. After all, the chain sits on the sprockets between the frames chain stays – so you would have to open either the frame or the chain to attach and remove the chain. Logically, therefore, new chains come in open form.

New bicycle chains come with either a pin or a quick-link lock system. In the first variant, you use the pin to connect the two ends of the bicycle chain. This then makes the connecting link indistinguishable from the other links. Here you need a chain riveter to close and reopen the bicycle chain.

In a quick-link lock system, the chain has a special connecting link, on which you can open the chain again later. These chain lock systems have different names depending on the manufacturer, such as “Missing Link”, “Snap On” or simply call them quick-links (as most do). Rarely they are called master links.

More on the subject of chain locks can be found in the in depth article:

Bicycle chains for singlespeed, fixie and hub gears

Bild
KMC Kette S1 Wide Brown 1-Fach 112 Glieder
Shimano Damen Kette Nabenschaltung/Singlespeed, Silber-Silber, 1/8 inch
Preis-/Leistungssieger
Kette KMC Z1X EPT EcoProteQ Anti-Rost 1/2 x 1/8, 112 Glieder, 8,6mm, LongLife
Langlebigste Kette
Connex 1R8 Fahrradkette
KMC X 1 EPT Fahrradkette, Silber, 1/2" x3/32
Kette Wippermann Connex 7R8 1/2" x 3/32" 112 Glieder mit Federverschluss 1-fach
Name
KMC S1 (Z410)
CN-NX10
KMC Z1X EPT
Connex 1R8
KMC X1 Narrow
Connex 7R8
Hersteller
KMC
Shimano
KMC
Connex
KMC
Connex
Preis
14,80 EUR
9,60 EUR
ab 13,95 EUR
29,99 EUR
Price not available
20,99 EUR
Gewicht
357g
358g
368g
517g
306g
438g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
112 Glieder
114 Glieder
112 Glieder
112 Glieder
110 Glieder
112 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Schmale Nabenschaltung
Schmale Nabenschaltung
Verschluss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Verschlussbolzen
Missing Link (Snap On)
Federverschluss Kettenschloss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Federverschluss Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl (einfach)
Stahl (einfach)
Stahl, Beschichtet (EcoProteQ)
Nickelbeschichteter Stahl, Bolzen einsatzgehärtet
Stahl, Beschichtet (EcoProteQ)
Nickelbeschichteter Stahl, Bolzen einsatzgehärtet
Farbe
Braun
Silber / Grau
Silber / Grau
Silber
Silber / Grau
Silber / Braun
Breite
8,6mm
8,6mm
8,6mm
10,5mm
6,7mm
8,8mm
Größe
1/2" x 1/8" (8,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 1/8" (8,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 1/8" (8,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 1/8" (10,5mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 3/32" (7,3mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 3/32" (8,8mm Bolzen)
Bild
KMC Kette S1 Wide Brown 1-Fach 112 Glieder
Name
KMC S1 (Z410)
Hersteller
KMC
Preis
14,80 EUR
Gewicht
357g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
112 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Verschluss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Material
Stahl (einfach)
Farbe
Braun
Breite
8,6mm
Größe
1/2" x 1/8" (8,6mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Bild
Shimano Damen Kette Nabenschaltung/Singlespeed, Silber-Silber, 1/8 inch
Name
CN-NX10
Hersteller
Shimano
Preis
9,60 EUR
Gewicht
358g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
114 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Verschluss
Verschlussbolzen
Material
Stahl (einfach)
Farbe
Silber / Grau
Breite
8,6mm
Größe
1/2" x 1/8" (8,6mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Preis-/Leistungssieger
Bild
Kette KMC Z1X EPT EcoProteQ Anti-Rost 1/2 x 1/8, 112 Glieder, 8,6mm, LongLife
Name
KMC Z1X EPT
Hersteller
KMC
Preis
ab 13,95 EUR
Gewicht
368g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
112 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Verschluss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Material
Stahl, Beschichtet (EcoProteQ)
Farbe
Silber / Grau
Breite
8,6mm
Größe
1/2" x 1/8" (8,6mm Bolzen)
Langlebigste Kette
Bild
Connex 1R8 Fahrradkette
Name
Connex 1R8
Hersteller
Connex
Preis
29,99 EUR
Gewicht
517g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
112 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Nabenschaltung, Singlespeed
Verschluss
Federverschluss Kettenschloss
Material
Nickelbeschichteter Stahl, Bolzen einsatzgehärtet
Farbe
Silber
Breite
10,5mm
Größe
1/2" x 1/8" (10,5mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Bild
KMC X 1 EPT Fahrradkette, Silber, 1/2" x3/32
Name
KMC X1 Narrow
Hersteller
KMC
Preis
Price not available
Gewicht
306g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
110 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Schmale Nabenschaltung
Verschluss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Material
Stahl, Beschichtet (EcoProteQ)
Farbe
Silber / Grau
Breite
6,7mm
Größe
1/2" x 3/32" (7,3mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Bild
Kette Wippermann Connex 7R8 1/2" x 3/32" 112 Glieder mit Federverschluss 1-fach
Name
Connex 7R8
Hersteller
Connex
Preis
20,99 EUR
Gewicht
438g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
112 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
Schmale Nabenschaltung
Verschluss
Federverschluss Kettenschloss
Material
Nickelbeschichteter Stahl, Bolzen einsatzgehärtet
Farbe
Silber / Braun
Breite
8,8mm
Größe
1/2" x 3/32" (8,8mm Bolzen)
Bestellen

Letzte Aktualisierung am 2024-07-15 / Affiliate Links / Bilder von der Amazon Product Advertising API

The wider 9mm chains usually fit all singlespeed bikes, track (fixie) bikes and bikes with hub gears. Here the pin and roller in the chain are wider. These chains should never be used with derailleurs (external shifting mechanism). These chains are also referred to as 1/2-inch x 1/8-inch chains. For the chain for a track racing bike, you should take a stronger, high-quality chain, because these bikes are more stressed.

Such chains are less mobile and more resilient to wear, as they need to be less flexible. After all, unlike bicycle chains for classic derailleurs, they don’t have to perform the constant action of jumping left and right.

Chains for narrow hub gears

In addition to these chains for wide hub gears, there are also special chains for narrow hub gears from some manufacturers. Sometimes these chains have the addition “Narrow”. These chains are usually about 7mm wide and are therefore also much lighter than the 9mm chains.

It is usually easiest to choose a rather wide chain for hub gears. However, this is much heavier and provides more wear, because this has more play and constantly slips back and forth on the pinions. If you decide to go with a narrower (or simply “Narrow”) chain, make sure that the sprocket is also suitable for it! The manufacturers of the hub gears usually specify this accordingly.

Some of these “Narrow” chains are built a little more flexible and are also suitable for 5- to 7-speed derailleurs. So you can also experiment with it, if you feel like it 😉

Bicycle chains for derailleurs

The derailleur has been fully established since the 50s. Even today you can still find hub gears, but the vast majority of bikes are equipped with derailleur based shifting. It is easier to manufacture and adjust. Although it needs more frequent maintenance.

Below we give you tips for chains specifically for road bikes and mountain bikes. Since these groups have very pronounced demands on the material.

A general guide for bicycle chains by gear type (number of gears, as 8-speed, 9-speed, 10-speed, etc.) can be found here:

The chains for bikes with derailleur depends on the number of sprockets in the rear derailleur. Count the gears (sprockets) on your rear wheel. This number indicates which chain you need. A distinction must be made between 9-speed, 10-speed, 11-speed,12-speed, 13-speed and the drivetrains with less gears. The 6-, 7- and 8-speed gears belong together and use the same bicycle chains.

Best bicycle chains for road bikes

Especially as a road cyclist you think a lot about efficiency. How effective is the power transmission on the chain? Is there unnecessary friction? Loss of power due to a poorly maintained chain? We also give a lot of thought to the lubrication of the bicycle chain. But with the chain, people often reach out for the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or name whose logo is printed large all over the drivetrain. Shimano? SRAM? But why settle for that?

Australian Adam Kerin has tested several hundred chains over several thousand kilometers and published his insights on the Zero Friction Cycling website. And published his findings in an impressive study. We also rely on these test results to find the best bicycle chain for road bikes.

Bild
Effizienteste Shimano Kette
Shimano CN-HG901 11-fach Fahrradkette, Silber, 116
Preiswert und Effizient
Shimano CN-HG601 11-Fach Fahrradkette, Silber, 116
Langlebigste Kette
KMC 11-Fach Kette X-11-SL-GOLD
Schaltungskette Sram PC XX1 HollowPin 118 Glieder 11-fach mit Power-Lock
Hersteller - Name
Shimano Dura-Ace HyperGlide
Shimano 105 - CN-HG601
KMC X11SL
SRAM PC XX1
Preis
36,99 EUR
28,90 EUR
56,67 EUR
60,94 EUR
Gewicht
247g
257g
242g
252g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
114 Glieder
116 Glieder
118 Glieder
118 Glieder
Kompatible Schaltung
6- bis 11-fach Schaltung
Ausgezeichnet mit Shimano Schaltungen
6- bis 11-fach Schaltung
Ausgezeichnet mit Shimano Schaltungen
6- bis 11-fach Schaltung
Besonders gut mit Shimano, SRAM und Campagnolo Schaltungen
nur kompatibel mit XX1 11-fach
Verschluss
Verschlussbolzen (Kettennieter benötigt)
Verschlussbolzen (Kettennieter benötigt)
SnapOn Kettenschloss
SnapOn Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl (einfach), SIL-TEC Beschichtung
Stahl (einfach), SIL-TEC Beschichtung
Stahl (Titanium Nitride Beschichtung)
Stahl (Hard Chrome Technologie)
Farbe
Silber
Silber
Gold
Silber
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 11/128"
Effizienteste Shimano Kette
Bild
Shimano CN-HG901 11-fach Fahrradkette, Silber, 116
Hersteller - Name
Shimano Dura-Ace HyperGlide
Preis
36,99 EUR
Gewicht
247g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
114 Glieder
Kompatible Schaltung
6- bis 11-fach Schaltung
Ausgezeichnet mit Shimano Schaltungen
Verschluss
Verschlussbolzen (Kettennieter benötigt)
Material
Stahl (einfach), SIL-TEC Beschichtung
Farbe
Silber
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Preiswert und Effizient
Bild
Shimano CN-HG601 11-Fach Fahrradkette, Silber, 116
Hersteller - Name
Shimano 105 - CN-HG601
Preis
28,90 EUR
Gewicht
257g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
116 Glieder
Kompatible Schaltung
6- bis 11-fach Schaltung
Ausgezeichnet mit Shimano Schaltungen
Verschluss
Verschlussbolzen (Kettennieter benötigt)
Material
Stahl (einfach), SIL-TEC Beschichtung
Farbe
Silber
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Langlebigste Kette
Bild
KMC 11-Fach Kette X-11-SL-GOLD
Hersteller - Name
KMC X11SL
Preis
56,67 EUR
Gewicht
242g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
118 Glieder
Kompatible Schaltung
6- bis 11-fach Schaltung
Besonders gut mit Shimano, SRAM und Campagnolo Schaltungen
Verschluss
SnapOn Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl (Titanium Nitride Beschichtung)
Farbe
Gold
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
Bestellen
Bild
Schaltungskette Sram PC XX1 HollowPin 118 Glieder 11-fach mit Power-Lock
Hersteller - Name
SRAM PC XX1
Preis
60,94 EUR
Gewicht
252g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
118 Glieder
Kompatible Schaltung
nur kompatibel mit XX1 11-fach
Verschluss
SnapOn Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl (Hard Chrome Technologie)
Farbe
Silber
Größe
1/2" x 11/128"
Bestellen

Letzte Aktualisierung am 2024-07-16 / Affiliate Links / Bilder von der Amazon Product Advertising API

In short, the best chains are actually often those that come from the same manufacturer as the drivetrain parts (shifting, cranks, chainrings and sprockets). A Shimano chain is perfectly matched to the Shimano sprockets. And SRAM chains accordingly to the SRAM drivetrain. However, independent manufacturers such as KMC also show that they can produce very low-maintenance and durable products. You can find even more tips summarized on CyclingTips.com.

The best MTB chains

12-speed drivetrains are still relatively new, but they are becoming more and more widespread. These bikes no longer have a front derailleur at the front, but shift only through the rear derailleur. 13-by drivetrains have also already been presented (ie. Campagnolos EKAR group set). Such exotics are seen mainly in mountain and offroad/gravel bikes.

However, the tolerances for the 12 and more gears are simply incredibly small. These circuits tend to be very sensitive and difficult to adjust. Since even small inaccuracies lead to errors in the shifting. But that’s a whole separate topic. For MTB the following chains have proven themselves.

Bild
Shimano Kette CN-HG54,Silber,L
Connex Schaltungskette 10Sg 114 Gld. 5.9 mm Ketten, Gold, One Size
KMC Fahrradkette X10 GREY / BLACK 114 Glieder 10-fach
Wippermann Connex 11SB Kette 2017 Fahrradkette
SRAM XX1 Eagle Hollow Pin 12-fach inklusive PowerLock Kette, gold, 126
Name
Shimano HG54
Connex 10SG
KMC X10.93
Connex 11SB
SRAM XX1 Eagle
Gewicht
280g
264g
268g
270g
250g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
116 Glieder
114 Glieder
114 Glieder
118 Glieder
126 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
10-fach Schaltung (nicht geeignet für Rennräder)
10-fach Schaltung
10-fach Schaltung
11-fach Schaltung
12-fach Schaltung
Verschluss
Verschlussbolzen
Connex Link Kettenschloss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Connex Link Kettenschloss
PowerLink Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl (einfach)
Stahl Messingbeschichtet
Vernickelt
Stahl Messingbeschichtet
Stahl Verchromt
Farbe
Grau
Gold
Silber (andere erhältlich)
Schwarz / Gold
Gold / Schwarz
Größe
1/2" x 11/128"
1/2" x 11/128" (5,65mm Bolzen)
1/2" X 11/128" (5,88mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
Preis
14,49 EUR
27,99 EUR
30,99 EUR
49,38 EUR
64,99 EUR
Bild
Shimano Kette CN-HG54,Silber,L
Name
Shimano HG54
Gewicht
280g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
116 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
10-fach Schaltung (nicht geeignet für Rennräder)
Verschluss
Verschlussbolzen
Material
Stahl (einfach)
Farbe
Grau
Größe
1/2" x 11/128"
Preis
14,49 EUR
Mehr dazu
Bild
Connex Schaltungskette 10Sg 114 Gld. 5.9 mm Ketten, Gold, One Size
Name
Connex 10SG
Gewicht
264g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
114 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
10-fach Schaltung
Verschluss
Connex Link Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl Messingbeschichtet
Farbe
Gold
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,65mm Bolzen)
Preis
27,99 EUR
Mehr dazu
Bild
KMC Fahrradkette X10 GREY / BLACK 114 Glieder 10-fach
Name
KMC X10.93
Gewicht
268g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
114 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
10-fach Schaltung
Verschluss
Missing Link (Snap On)
Material
Vernickelt
Farbe
Silber (andere erhältlich)
Größe
1/2" X 11/128" (5,88mm Bolzen)
Preis
30,99 EUR
Mehr dazu
Bild
Wippermann Connex 11SB Kette 2017 Fahrradkette
Name
Connex 11SB
Gewicht
270g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
118 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
11-fach Schaltung
Verschluss
Connex Link Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl Messingbeschichtet
Farbe
Schwarz / Gold
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
Preis
49,38 EUR
Mehr dazu
Bild
SRAM XX1 Eagle Hollow Pin 12-fach inklusive PowerLock Kette, gold, 126
Name
SRAM XX1 Eagle
Gewicht
250g
Kettenglieder (Länge)
126 Glieder
Ketten-Typ
12-fach Schaltung
Verschluss
PowerLink Kettenschloss
Material
Stahl Verchromt
Farbe
Gold / Schwarz
Größe
1/2" x 11/128" (5,6mm Bolzen)
Preis
64,99 EUR
Mehr dazu

Letzte Aktualisierung am 2024-07-15 / Affiliate Links / Bilder von der Amazon Product Advertising API

Still unsure which bicycle chain is right for you? Just drop us a line in the comments if you have any questions.

FAQ

Bicycle chain: What does HG mean? And what about IG?

HG bicycle chains are the Hyperglide series bicycle chains from Shimano. The vast majority of new Shimano chains are Hyperglide. These fit from the shape especially also on Hyperglide sprockets from Shimano. In fact, however, Hyperglide and non-Hyperglide are compatible without any problems. Only what concerns the IG system (Interactive Glide) from Shimano, there are compatibility problems with other chains! An IG sprocket needs an IG chain.

Who invented the bicycle chain?

No single person can be identified who was responsible for the use of a chain drive on a bicycle. In fact, various people were working on a safety low wheel in the late 1870s, using chain drives. The main aim was to make the bikes – which were still high-sided at the time – safer and to move the driver’s seat further back and further down. The English designer John Kemp Starley made the breakthrough with the chain-driven Rover, which he designed in 1884. Within a few years, the design proved itself and caught on – the modern bicycle was born.

Why is the bicycle chain on the right?

There are several historical theories, but they are only speculations. Maybe it’s because the chain drive was invented in England and people there drive on the left road side, so they tend to get on their bikes from the left. Or because traditionally, even with the horse, you always get on the bike from the left. But maybe it’s simply because most people are right-handed and therefore guide their bike from the left and get on from the left. Common to all theories is the basic assumption that the chain should be on the other side than the one from which you get on the bike. Otherwise you get your pants dirty or your foot caught in the chain.

What is the cost of a bicycle chain?

Depending on the quality of the chain, the price can vary greatly. For normal use, however, an inexpensive chain is already sufficient – as long as it is made by a quality manufacturer such as Shimano, Connex or KMC. Online you can get chains from these manufacturers for under 10 euros/dollars. A really high-performance chain that can withstand thousands of kilometers without wear can cost over 40 or 60 bucks – but is much more durable. We would advise against any third-party manufacturers and bicycle chains from the grocery store.

Bicycle chain: what to consider?

What you need to consider when buying a new bicycle chain, you will learn in our section The right bicycle chain. In short, it is about the chain fits the gear of your bike and the number of rear sprockets!

Bicycle chain: what does 8 speed / 9 speed / 10 speed etc?

This is about the number of sprockets on the rear hub. Because the more sprockets you have at the back of the bike, the narrower and more flexible the chain must be. A 9-speed chain, for example, should therefore only be used on a bike that has 9 sprockets at the back.

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