CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help

3/32" and 1/8" mix

(5 posts)
  • Started 10 years ago by skinnypins
  • Latest reply from skinnypins
  • This topic is resolved

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  1. skinnypins
    Member

    Hello,

    I'm replacing the chainring on my fixed gear commute bike, and plan to replace the cog and chain too so everything wears from a similar point. Up to now, I've been using 3/32" components, and I already have a replacement 3/32" chainring.

    However, I found an unused 1/8" cog in my bag of random bike bits, and in the interests of saving a few quid, I was toying with the idea of simply using a 1/8" chain. A cursory Google search seems to imply this will be okay, but I was curious if anyone here has experience using a wider chain on a narrow chainring, and if everything worked as it should? Thanks!

    Posted 10 years ago #

  2. MediumDave
    Member

    It worked when I did this on my first fixie which was a proper pigeon machine. However make sure that your chainline is dead right as the 1/8 chain (or at least the one I was using) was very stiff laterally and would not tolerate even the slightest misalignment.

    I went back to 3/32 as it's so much easier when one can get spares for most of the drivetrain from a random LBS. I don't find that the 3/32 parts are wearing out sufficiently quickly for the vaunted extra lifespan of 1/8 to be useful to me.

    Mind you I tend to ride the drivetrain on my fixie to destruction and beyond rather and faff about measuring chain wear etc so your YMMV.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  3. DaveC
    Member

    From a wear pov, wouldn't the rear cog wear out before the front as it has less teeth and therefore will see more wear than the front?

    Can't comment on the chain, as I'm not a fixie fan (though never ridden one)

    Posted 10 years ago #

  4. MediumDave
    Member

    The first 2 chainrings on my current fixie were alloy (one Bontrager, one no-name thing) and were considerably less resilient than the steel Dura-Ace sprocket. I have not yet killed the steel surly chainring that's on there at the moment (2 years and counting). At a cursory glance, it's all wearing pretty well.

    Posted 10 years ago #

  5. skinnypins
    Member

    Thanks to both for your input.

    @david.nutter The new chainring is also a steel Surly jobby, so good to hear it's still holding up well. I think, on reflection, I'll stick to universal 3/32 for the reasons you mentioned above; indeed, the knackered (alloy) chainring has seen consistent abuse for several before giving up the ghost entirely (multiple tooth loss), so if that's what I get for using 3/32 stuff, I'm happy.

    Thanks again.

    Posted 10 years ago #

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