As is the title. I am rebuilding a gravel bike with a 10s tiagra groupset. I replaced a rear wheel, cassette and chain. I bought a matching new cassette, the cassette seems correct.
As for the chain, I bought what seems to be a genuine chain, but it looks like there is X3 extra links. Also upon closer inspection, the chain looks different from the original.
Am I supposed to remove the X3 extra links? Or can somebody spot this a fake? Also, I bought this chain on amazon. The packaging looks the same as what I found in a bike store
This is my first time swapping parts on a bike. Please help! Thanks 👍
by garbagefartguru
13 Comments
You almost always need to remove some links from a new chain
Your fine haha, run it (might have to remove a link though if the new chain is to long)
A new chain is normally longer than the chain you are replacing. You need to remove links. Instructions are packaged with the chain. More help can be found on youtube to advise how to remove the correct amount of links.
The chain you are using is a Shimano. You are replacing a KMC, they will not look the same and also have a different final linking mechanism. Your new chain looks fine to me.
The original is a KMC chain which is a good chain brand, you got a Shimano original HG chain that has a design to allow to work seamless with their cassettes by that I mean better shifting performance.
I don’t know if it’s fake or not, but I always have to remove a couple links when I replace my chain. I think they make them a little longer to accommodate for different gear ratios that you may have.
Chains come in 114 and longer lengths. You will need to remove links to match the chain. The good news is on an existing bike you just count the links and match the count. On a ground up build its maths (chain stay and gearing Calcs) or trial and error.
116l is the number of links in your new chain. You can count them or just measure with a ruler and divide by the length of the chain from the center to center of the pins holding each link together.
First I like to say I’m not a bike expert. But I know things regarding chains.
You have probably just bought a chain containing more chain links.
Check if the size of the links are correct, if so, brake off/cut to proper number of chain links and then assemble.
Judging by the pictures, it looks like the links are the proper size, but I recommend you check by just laying them over each other and compare.
Brake away/cut off excessive number of links, assure correct number of links by counting or just laying the chains next to one an other.
The old chain is a KMC chain that’s why it looks different.
You will need to remove to extra links to get the same number if links.
Warning:
If the old chain had a quick link and the new one uses the a pin remember to count the quick link as a link.
If they are both joined by quicklink
or both joined by a pin you just copy the old one.
Read the instructions to do it right because there is a wrong way to install a Shimano chain.
Measure twice is not enough. Measure three times and cut only once and then add a link or two since you cut it short and then cut it again – short -> ride with the new too short but “weight weenie approved”-chain for a week. Buy new chain -> repeat
why are reddittors so quick to downvote?? i hate it… someone has a genuine question and people downvote
You need to use a chain breaker tool, they are cheap if you don’t have one already.
To measure the new one, lay it out alongside the old one on the floor. Shimano chains use a master pin to fasten, so include the quick link of your old chain when measuring
If you purchased at a bike shop it’s unlikely to be counterfeit, though it does happen occasionally. If you purchased from Amazon or eBay there is a very good chance it’s counterfeit.