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How to extend a chain for a cargo bike?
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
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4
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I have a KMC x10e chain which is 162 links long on my Xtracycle electric cargo bike. The chain is worn and I am trying to replace it. From what I can tell it is available only in 136 links. Is the way to get to 162 to buy two and combine them? Or is it possible to buy a custom chain at exactly the length needed or buy a long one and reduce it to 162?
chain electric-bike
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I have a KMC x10e chain which is 162 links long on my Xtracycle electric cargo bike. The chain is worn and I am trying to replace it. From what I can tell it is available only in 136 links. Is the way to get to 162 to buy two and combine them? Or is it possible to buy a custom chain at exactly the length needed or buy a long one and reduce it to 162?
chain electric-bike
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
3
1: Buy a longer chain. 2: Buy two chains and splice them together. 3: Obtain the chain from someone who buys chain by the spool & cuts to length.
– Daniel R Hicks
3 hours ago
Does you current chain have a KMC missing link connector?
– Squashman
3 hours ago
2
That is quite long for a "normal" bike. Are you counting an inner and an outer pair as one link? or as two links ?
– Criggie
1 hour ago
I agree with @Criggie , the OP may want to look at this question: bicycles.stackexchange.com/q/37191/11160
– RoboKaren
26 mins ago
1
Note that it's normal for a replacement chain to be about 10 links longer than needed (since the exact length varies from bike to bike), so one almost always has to shorten ("break") the chain before installing. You will need a chain tool ("breaker") for this, even if the chain comes with some sort of "quick link" for joining.
– Daniel R Hicks
11 mins ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I have a KMC x10e chain which is 162 links long on my Xtracycle electric cargo bike. The chain is worn and I am trying to replace it. From what I can tell it is available only in 136 links. Is the way to get to 162 to buy two and combine them? Or is it possible to buy a custom chain at exactly the length needed or buy a long one and reduce it to 162?
chain electric-bike
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
I have a KMC x10e chain which is 162 links long on my Xtracycle electric cargo bike. The chain is worn and I am trying to replace it. From what I can tell it is available only in 136 links. Is the way to get to 162 to buy two and combine them? Or is it possible to buy a custom chain at exactly the length needed or buy a long one and reduce it to 162?
chain electric-bike
chain electric-bike
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
edited 10 mins ago
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
asked 4 hours ago
Marcus Leon
24929
24929
3
1: Buy a longer chain. 2: Buy two chains and splice them together. 3: Obtain the chain from someone who buys chain by the spool & cuts to length.
– Daniel R Hicks
3 hours ago
Does you current chain have a KMC missing link connector?
– Squashman
3 hours ago
2
That is quite long for a "normal" bike. Are you counting an inner and an outer pair as one link? or as two links ?
– Criggie
1 hour ago
I agree with @Criggie , the OP may want to look at this question: bicycles.stackexchange.com/q/37191/11160
– RoboKaren
26 mins ago
1
Note that it's normal for a replacement chain to be about 10 links longer than needed (since the exact length varies from bike to bike), so one almost always has to shorten ("break") the chain before installing. You will need a chain tool ("breaker") for this, even if the chain comes with some sort of "quick link" for joining.
– Daniel R Hicks
11 mins ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
3
1: Buy a longer chain. 2: Buy two chains and splice them together. 3: Obtain the chain from someone who buys chain by the spool & cuts to length.
– Daniel R Hicks
3 hours ago
Does you current chain have a KMC missing link connector?
– Squashman
3 hours ago
2
That is quite long for a "normal" bike. Are you counting an inner and an outer pair as one link? or as two links ?
– Criggie
1 hour ago
I agree with @Criggie , the OP may want to look at this question: bicycles.stackexchange.com/q/37191/11160
– RoboKaren
26 mins ago
1
Note that it's normal for a replacement chain to be about 10 links longer than needed (since the exact length varies from bike to bike), so one almost always has to shorten ("break") the chain before installing. You will need a chain tool ("breaker") for this, even if the chain comes with some sort of "quick link" for joining.
– Daniel R Hicks
11 mins ago
3
3
1: Buy a longer chain. 2: Buy two chains and splice them together. 3: Obtain the chain from someone who buys chain by the spool & cuts to length.
– Daniel R Hicks
3 hours ago
1: Buy a longer chain. 2: Buy two chains and splice them together. 3: Obtain the chain from someone who buys chain by the spool & cuts to length.
– Daniel R Hicks
3 hours ago
Does you current chain have a KMC missing link connector?
– Squashman
3 hours ago
Does you current chain have a KMC missing link connector?
– Squashman
3 hours ago
2
2
That is quite long for a "normal" bike. Are you counting an inner and an outer pair as one link? or as two links ?
– Criggie
1 hour ago
That is quite long for a "normal" bike. Are you counting an inner and an outer pair as one link? or as two links ?
– Criggie
1 hour ago
I agree with @Criggie , the OP may want to look at this question: bicycles.stackexchange.com/q/37191/11160
– RoboKaren
26 mins ago
I agree with @Criggie , the OP may want to look at this question: bicycles.stackexchange.com/q/37191/11160
– RoboKaren
26 mins ago
1
1
Note that it's normal for a replacement chain to be about 10 links longer than needed (since the exact length varies from bike to bike), so one almost always has to shorten ("break") the chain before installing. You will need a chain tool ("breaker") for this, even if the chain comes with some sort of "quick link" for joining.
– Daniel R Hicks
11 mins ago
Note that it's normal for a replacement chain to be about 10 links longer than needed (since the exact length varies from bike to bike), so one almost always has to shorten ("break") the chain before installing. You will need a chain tool ("breaker") for this, even if the chain comes with some sort of "quick link" for joining.
– Daniel R Hicks
11 mins ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
Your local bike shop buys chain in bulk and can cut it off at precisely the length you need. Get a quick link at the same time so you can easily put the chain on or remove it.
They may have limited selection, though, especially as you’re looking at a speciality chain- a 10 speed chain designed for ebike torques. So they may not have this as a bulk item.
Otherwise, you’ll have to cut and conjoin two shorter chains. Be sure to get the same brand and model chain as slight differences in chain width or profile can cause shifting issues.
But back to the speciality chain issue. Many of us think there’s a great deal of “marketing†and much less “engineering†around ebike parts. Given that a top sprinter can easily put out 1500 watts, a high quality 10-speed chain should be able to handle many mid-drive motors which are 750-1000 Watts. My main caution would be to make sure your motor controller has a shift sensor so it de-torques during derailleur shifts.
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
6
down vote
Your local bike shop buys chain in bulk and can cut it off at precisely the length you need. Get a quick link at the same time so you can easily put the chain on or remove it.
They may have limited selection, though, especially as you’re looking at a speciality chain- a 10 speed chain designed for ebike torques. So they may not have this as a bulk item.
Otherwise, you’ll have to cut and conjoin two shorter chains. Be sure to get the same brand and model chain as slight differences in chain width or profile can cause shifting issues.
But back to the speciality chain issue. Many of us think there’s a great deal of “marketing†and much less “engineering†around ebike parts. Given that a top sprinter can easily put out 1500 watts, a high quality 10-speed chain should be able to handle many mid-drive motors which are 750-1000 Watts. My main caution would be to make sure your motor controller has a shift sensor so it de-torques during derailleur shifts.
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
Your local bike shop buys chain in bulk and can cut it off at precisely the length you need. Get a quick link at the same time so you can easily put the chain on or remove it.
They may have limited selection, though, especially as you’re looking at a speciality chain- a 10 speed chain designed for ebike torques. So they may not have this as a bulk item.
Otherwise, you’ll have to cut and conjoin two shorter chains. Be sure to get the same brand and model chain as slight differences in chain width or profile can cause shifting issues.
But back to the speciality chain issue. Many of us think there’s a great deal of “marketing†and much less “engineering†around ebike parts. Given that a top sprinter can easily put out 1500 watts, a high quality 10-speed chain should be able to handle many mid-drive motors which are 750-1000 Watts. My main caution would be to make sure your motor controller has a shift sensor so it de-torques during derailleur shifts.
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
6
down vote
up vote
6
down vote
Your local bike shop buys chain in bulk and can cut it off at precisely the length you need. Get a quick link at the same time so you can easily put the chain on or remove it.
They may have limited selection, though, especially as you’re looking at a speciality chain- a 10 speed chain designed for ebike torques. So they may not have this as a bulk item.
Otherwise, you’ll have to cut and conjoin two shorter chains. Be sure to get the same brand and model chain as slight differences in chain width or profile can cause shifting issues.
But back to the speciality chain issue. Many of us think there’s a great deal of “marketing†and much less “engineering†around ebike parts. Given that a top sprinter can easily put out 1500 watts, a high quality 10-speed chain should be able to handle many mid-drive motors which are 750-1000 Watts. My main caution would be to make sure your motor controller has a shift sensor so it de-torques during derailleur shifts.
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
Your local bike shop buys chain in bulk and can cut it off at precisely the length you need. Get a quick link at the same time so you can easily put the chain on or remove it.
They may have limited selection, though, especially as you’re looking at a speciality chain- a 10 speed chain designed for ebike torques. So they may not have this as a bulk item.
Otherwise, you’ll have to cut and conjoin two shorter chains. Be sure to get the same brand and model chain as slight differences in chain width or profile can cause shifting issues.
But back to the speciality chain issue. Many of us think there’s a great deal of “marketing†and much less “engineering†around ebike parts. Given that a top sprinter can easily put out 1500 watts, a high quality 10-speed chain should be able to handle many mid-drive motors which are 750-1000 Watts. My main caution would be to make sure your motor controller has a shift sensor so it de-torques during derailleur shifts.
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
edited 3 hours ago
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
answered 3 hours ago
RoboKaren
22.2k652126
22.2k652126
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
Marketing, sure, but also certification. Not for chains as far as I know, but at least helmets and tires must be tested to more rigorous standards than normal (in Switzerland, maybe EU).
– Nobody
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
I don’t see any extra cert marks on KMC’s site for this chain.
– RoboKaren
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
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3
1: Buy a longer chain. 2: Buy two chains and splice them together. 3: Obtain the chain from someone who buys chain by the spool & cuts to length.
– Daniel R Hicks
3 hours ago
Does you current chain have a KMC missing link connector?
– Squashman
3 hours ago
2
That is quite long for a "normal" bike. Are you counting an inner and an outer pair as one link? or as two links ?
– Criggie
1 hour ago
I agree with @Criggie , the OP may want to look at this question: bicycles.stackexchange.com/q/37191/11160
– RoboKaren
26 mins ago
1
Note that it's normal for a replacement chain to be about 10 links longer than needed (since the exact length varies from bike to bike), so one almost always has to shorten ("break") the chain before installing. You will need a chain tool ("breaker") for this, even if the chain comes with some sort of "quick link" for joining.
– Daniel R Hicks
11 mins ago