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DennisD

New member and first time visitor with a question.

I have a 1980's Gitane tandem. The person I got it from said these tandems originally had a wider chain than is hard to find. It now has a modern chain put on by the previous owner. It shifts ok but you have to be careful the chain is on the sprocket correctly before applying pedal pressure or the chain sometimes slips between the cogs. Are original type chains available anywhere?

Thanks,

Dennis

verktyg

Standard chains for 3, 4 and 5 sprocket freewheels were 3/32" wide - .094" (or 2.39mm).

Here's a bit from Sheldon Browns website:

"Chain size is specified by pitch and width. The pitch is the distance between rollers (1/2" on all modern bicycle chain). The width is the internal width where the sprocket teeth fit in. Bicycle chain comes in several basic widths:

* 1/8" (0.125", 3.18 mm) chain is used on most single-speed bicycles, and bicycles with internal gearing.

* 3/32" (0.094", 2.30 mm) chain is used on derailer equipped bicycles that have more than 3 cogs at the rear.

* Even somewhat narrower chain, typically .090" or 2.29 mm between the inner plates, is used for derailleur-equipped bicycles with 10 or more sprockets at the rear.

Chains for derailleur applications also come in various external widths. Newer clusters which have more sprockets use chain with thinner side plates and with rivets whose ends are flush with the side plates."

Most bike shops today are only stocking chains that fit 8, 9 or 10 speed sprockets.

You can still find the older 3/32" chains at bike shops that have been around for a while.

Christophe

Hi, I was wondering : would a modern 9 - 10 speed chain fit on a 5 speed drive train ? The inside with seems to be 2.29 mm instead of 2.30. That's not a big difference. As for the outer width, it's smaller. So apart from a quicker wear, would there be any problem ?

verktyg