What is a complete chain link?
- Thread starter Fordulike
- Start date
F-u-l your diagram shows a linked pair which I would call 2 links,
If counting chain length then you count each individual link so my 700c is 118 links. If removing links then you remove a pair which some may incorrectly call ( one link ). if you were to fit a snap link to a chain you would only take out the outer link ( one link ). However I'm sure there will be disagreement on this but if you buy a bog standard chain it will have 114/116 individual links.
If counting chain length then you count each individual link so my 700c is 118 links. If removing links then you remove a pair which some may incorrectly call ( one link ). if you were to fit a snap link to a chain you would only take out the outer link ( one link ). However I'm sure there will be disagreement on this but if you buy a bog standard chain it will have 114/116 individual links.
Yes, this is a chain link. Sorry Neal but what you are calling a link is a half link. Indeed one can buy half links, these having stepped sides to enable shortening a chain by a half link. You can see one on this link.
You can even buy chains entirely made of half links, once again proving the point. A half link chain can be seen on this link.
The fact that some chain makers count differently by half-links is irrelevant.
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This is where the problem/confusion lies, retailers selling with different descriptions. In theory a standard chain should be sold as 57 or 58 link chain but nearly always described as a 114/116 link chain.
What makes the manufacturers description method wrong is that the sections are two different things:
A above is a pair of sideplates joined by two rivets, while B is a narrower spaced pair of side plates joined by sleeved rollers.
As two different things they cannot both have the same identity.
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I would class a 50 plate chain as 100 links, as does DID etc in the motorcycle industry. A link is classed as a "pin" and you never buy odd link chains.
The "half link" seems to be more prevalent in old motorcycles and bicycles, you'd never fit a half link to a GSXR etc..
The "half link" seems to be more prevalent in old motorcycles and bicycles, you'd never fit a half link to a GSXR etc..
Indeed, and it's bicycles we are speaking of, where a link has always been an inner and outer section. It has been ever since I joined the trade in 1950.
I think the more recent habit of numbering to match the number of teeth positions probabably arose to cope with public confusion about the issue.
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