Bulk Chain?

[mzjo]

Somewhere on here some time ago someone talked of having bought chain (8sp I think) in bulk. It was probably in the replies for an unrelated chain thread but I can't remember what and when. I have a need of a lot of chain for a bike restoration project for a local charity and buying in bulk would make a lot of sense.

What I need above all is the commercial designation for 8sp bicycle chain so that I can start looking on the web. Any further information, like supplier for example or country of origine would be also very handy. Any other information or advice very welcome.

Thanks in advance  Jo

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Something like this?
https://www.chickencyclekit.co.uk/category.php?cat=233

There are a few European retailers of 50m rolls of chain (e.g. recumbent specialists) but bicycle chain is in short supply worldwide.
https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/kmc-chain/?page=1

[mzjo]

Thanks LWaB, that's just what I need. Nothing much on Hollandbikeshop but more helpful on Alltricks and Ultimebikes. Yes it is all pretty much out of stock - Alibarbar is looking to be the best bet!!

[Lightning Phil]

Just bought a 50 metre reel of kmc x9 9 speed. That’ll save quite a bit of money on chains for the recumbent.  Should last a bit.

Thanks for posting this as it prompted me to take a look.

[BFC]

8 speed and 9 speed chains have the same internal width. 8 speed system has longer pins and slightly larger spaces between the sprockets. 9 speed has flush pins.

Early 8 speed systems sometimes used the ends of the pins to engage on the lift features on the chainrings used for shifting up, these ring designs were found to have poor shifting with some chains.
Most designs however engage on the outer plates for upshifting.
On most chainrings the lift features wear with use so performance degrades anyway.

All 8 speed systems will work with a 9 speed chain.

[rafletcher]

And indeed 8,9,10 and 11 speed chains all have the same internal width. Probably 12sp as well.

[Gattopardo]

Just bought a 50 metre reel of kmc x9 9 speed. That’ll save quite a bit of money on chains for the recumbent.  Should last a bit.

Thanks for posting this as it prompted me to take a look.

Wonders how many links that is

[Kim]

1968.5 by my maths.  Probably about 7 recumbent chains worth?

[Gattopardo]

1968.5 by my maths.  Probably about 7 recumbent chains worth?

Or 17 geared bikes.

[Lightning Phil]

Just bought a 50 metre reel of kmc x9 9 speed. That’ll save quite a bit of money on chains for the recumbent.  Should last a bit.

Thanks for posting this as it prompted me to take a look.

Wonders how many links that is

3936 links, so approx 14 chains on my recumbent. Given my mileage that translates to about 7-8 years use. Not bad for £19.50

[Gattopardo]

At that price, it is cheap enough to never lubricate a chain ever.

[Lightning Phil]

At that price, it is cheap enough to never lubricate a chain ever.

Well I certainly won’t be sweating about whether I can get a few extra weeks out a chain. I will just pull some more chain off reel and change it 😁

[mzjo]

Just bought a 50 metre reel of kmc x9 9 speed. That’ll save quite a bit of money on chains for the recumbent.  Should last a bit.

Thanks for posting this as it prompted me to take a look.

I have still to find a supplier on the continent, except Hollandbikeshop who are offering a 50m roll for 533€ (not surprising it's in stock at that price). Chicken appear to have it but they are trade and I did find another supplier who I think is also trade, both UK. Where do you get yours?

I should explain why I need it. It's to put a small fleet of donated bikes back on the road for a charity. There should eventually be at least a dozen bikes, all basic mtb types (think Decathlon Rockrider 320) and an unknown quantity of other utlity style bikes (a lot french threaded so saveable only for very specific users) and kids bikes. Initial requirement 6 bikes to get volunteers from Limoges centre out to the co-operative vegetable garden. We have just got a place to store the bikes  after 12 months under the hedge at the garden but all the chains are scrap. (There are a few cheap suspended mtbs that are almost entirely scrap and the first job is to strip what's useful and clear the remains out - there's still 5 vintage kid's bikes under the hedge!)

https://www.facebook.com/escales.solidaires/?ref=page_internal

[Lightning Phil]

CT Bikes in Oldham

[mzjo]

CT Bikes in Oldham

Thank you very much Phil; that's great! i think I may be handle the logistics.