Half Link Chains

[Captain Blake]

We get a call in a work today that Chris's half link chain has come in.

Didn't know what the hell that was went to the website to have a look at it.

And........

WOW

I want one of these, they are that cool. Yes they are BMX chains but you can use them for MTB if you are going SS (well that's what i'm told)

Anyone got any thoughts on them?

Oh by the way Manly Cycles might be stocking them soonish if you want one.

The Calling... (http://www.theshadowconspiracy.com/)

[man]

yeah half link chains arent too bad, the smaller links allow more accuracy in chain length, they are helpful if you have a frame with verticle drop outs and dont want to use a tensioner, although, just like normal chains, they frame will need to have a chain length that is still close enough to have the correct chain tension.... but apart from going ss, the chains are great, nice shiny, beefy, dont look like they are gonna snap anytime soon, and look sturdy enough to land on after a slipped pedal grind... and not to expensive either.... plus they look pretty fuckin cool :P... but i just got myself a chain that looks like one from a moto so im not complaining....

[naz]

there shit, i looked into them and because of how they are designed (on each link there not straight, they are straight till about halfway, then spread wider to accomodate the next link) and they strech quickly n dont engage on ur chainring/cog.

[GoingDHfast]

Huh? I have no idea what you're talking about, unless you mean one of these:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/half-link.jpg

[MikeT]

He means the whole chains made of halflinks

Click on the link, go to products and you'll see.

[GoingDHfast]

I dont see any links except for "the calling" and there aint no bike chains in there..! I guess I'm blind :o

[MikeT]

Yes you must be blind, click the calling, find your way to the site then click products, it says "interlock chain" or somin , click that look at it, do you want me to wipe your ass now haha jks mate jks. :p :p :D :D ;)

[wombat]

yeah half link chains arent too bad, the smaller links allow more accuracy in chain length, they are helpful if you have a frame with verticle drop outs and dont want to use a tensioner, although, just like normal chains, they frame will need to have a chain length that is still close enough to have the correct chain tension.
Well actually, they don't offer anything that you can't get from a normal chain and a single half link (for those that are a little confused, 2 half links = 1 whole link ;) ), other than extra weight, and maybe a little extra durability if you're pulling lots of sprocket grinds.

They look trick, but I hear a lot of people spouting the "benefits" of a half link chain, that seem to be nothing more than maketing propoganda (Naz was one of these people a month or so ago :p ).

[Ride_Guy]

Shadow Conspiracy make them.

[tomacropod]

the internet consensus from the constantly-breaking-bmx-chains trials crew is that the links in this chain will straighten out a little bit, squeezing the roller and creating a bunch of stiff links. You are just as likely to get a "near-perfect" chain length using a standard chain and a single half link as wombat said, which you can get for 3/32" and 1/8" bmx chains.

As with anything though, try it, let us know how it goes. Life is short, try new things rather than following everyone else until you die. You will die tomorrow btw.

- Joel

[flasher]

I bought one to make my stp SS (after destroying 3 imitation singelators... it didnt work, it might for some bikes, and some gear combos, but for me, even trying different gear ratios, it was either so tight the cranks couldnt spin or so loose it easily hit the 'stays.

So i ended up spending $50 on a chain that didnt work, and then having to fork out another $75 for a dmr simple tension seeker.

My mate went through the exact same process... buying the interlock (half link) chain and then having to get an sts.

so 2 bad experiences with them here.... they do look f*cking awsome though!

[DYJK]

Shadow Conspiracy make them.
OMG read the post before you say something stupid you dumb dumb...yeah they are awsome chains, seen them in some of my bmx mags, and they say pros are (naz.)..they dont stretch and you can get more perfect length and tension, cons are they are fairly heavey!

http://www.theshadowconspiracy.com/interlockchain.html

[Daver]

Looking at the link itself, shouldn't it be weaker than a normal chain? The fact that the link is bent, wheras a normal chain is straight should make the half link chain weaker, shouldn't it?

Another good product is gears, they eliminate the need for half links though

[DYJK]

Another good product is gears, they eliminate the need for half links though
So do vertical dropouts!

[Daver]

So do vertical dropouts!

You know what Jeff? You're a thinker.

[anti_pop]

I use a shadow chain, Naz has seen it, It has streched so much, like i am not talking a little bit, I am probably going to have to get rid of it soon, I would look into a different chain honestly.

[dunk]

a single half link ....... which you can get for 3/32" ....chains.

- Joel

Ever tried getting a 3/32" half link, I rang every second shop in Sydney. Answers ranged from "you don't know what your talking about" "no such thing" "impossible" "I know of them but don't know where to get them"

I ended up ordering some from the States and had them in 3 days.

[bradh]

Ever tried getting a 3/32" half link, I rang every second shop in Sydney. Answers ranged from "you don't know what your talking about" "no such thing" "impossible" "I know of them but don't know where to get them"

I ended up ordering some from the States and had them in 3 days.
shops in oz should be able to order them in for you. kmc make one. i had the same problem... bsc in melbourne had no idea what i was talking about but managed to get me one eventually. they now keep some stock of them, so any melbournites looking for 3/32 half links should try there.