Thanks to everyones help.

 

Update on my "worn?" chain saga.

 

1) No tight links

 

2) Measured accurately with steel rule 40 links = 508mm. Actual length 511mm therefore due for replacement

 

3) Investigated gear change to check for less than perfect set up (seemed ok so far) I couldn't get it into bottom despite accurate adjusting both the limiters. Checked the cable and one strand had strung out, despite my soldering the end.

 

4) Conclusion is worn chain and defective cable

 

It never rains but it pours!

YBN e-bike chain range:

 

http://www.yaban.com/index.php?option=product&lang=en&task=pageinfo&id=371&belongid=368&index=2

 

Thick/thin chain ring for muddy off road:

 

https://www.sram.com/news-articles/sram-officially-license-its-popular-x-sync-technology

Edited February 25, 201412 yr by shemozzle999

YBN e-bike chain range:

 

http://www.yaban.com/index.php?option=product&lang=en&task=pageinfo&id=371&belongid=368&index=2

 

Thick/thin chain ring for muddy off road:

 

https://www.sram.com/news-articles/sram-officially-license-its-popular-x-sync-technology

Interesting. Who supplies these? Apart from the tensile strength there isn't much technical info here. What do people think?

Get your dealer to try an inquiry via their UK website or find a LBS who sells YBN chains and they can source one for you.

 

http://ybnchain.co.uk/

 

Although you might find the cost prohibitive looking at their prices for specialist chains.

Edited February 26, 201412 yr by shemozzle999

Get your dealer to try an inquiry via their UK website or find a LBS who sells YBN chains and they can source one for you.

 

http://ybnchain.co.uk/

 

Although you might find the cost prohibitive looking at their prices for specialist chains.

Can't see a reference to ebikes on this site. 8 speed is only £12 ???!!!

Get your dealer to try an inquiry via their UK website or find a LBS who sells YBN chains and they can source one for you.

 

http://ybnchain.co.uk/

 

Although you might find the cost prohibitive looking at their prices for specialist chains.

This is the full catalogue

http://www.yaban.com/upload/en/85/46_file_1.pdf

 

Might be worth checking this out

Our *.co.uk site only has the normal chains, it seems only the US *.com site lists the e-bike versions like the S8e.

I have just replaced the original chain on my BH City 700. In spite of religious care (and no off roading) it was just at the limit on my chain checker. I took eddiejp's advice and replaced it before I needed a cassette too. I had just under 3,000 miles on it. If I was a fair weather rider it probably would have lasted longer. However, using it as a daily commuter, the constant road slime works to defeat even the best of chain maintenance.

In my experience, road slime certainly seems to be more destructive to chains than mud stuck to it from going off road. Not entirely sure why - there are a lot of variables in play though. I think the most important variable here is how often you use the bike. Frequent use (i.e. daily commuting, 5 days a week) is most likely going to wear out the chain quicker than a half-day off road ride in the mud.

Another massive cause of excessive chain wear with derailleur gears, particularly on 24 speed or more, is having the chain on the largest front chain ring and at the same time on the largest sprocket at the rear wheel, likewise the smallest front chain ring and smallest rear sprocket. This is best avoided as the chain will be severely out of line.

It's good practice to use only the the centre front chain ring for the full range of rear gears and when using the outer and inner front rings try not to go much past the centre gears at the rear.

Dare I say that this is a typical example of where a forum representative could approach the company for sample chains for review and John F could review the product on a long term test:rolleyes:

I have often wondered whether to try and reduce my thin 8 speed to an old fashioned 4 speed derailleur.

Back in the 1950's, people didn't change their chains ever.

I have often wondered whether to try and reduce my thin 8 speed to an old fashioned 4 speed derailleur.

Back in the 1950's, people didn't change their chains ever.

In my case it was because I couldn't afford to!

all my bikes in that era where made from bits of other bikes and as I knew no better they were wonderful.

Next Generation E-bike Chain2014

 

5,000KM durable chain life.

Center Motor E-bike system

 

e 10S Chain – DECA10-1

e 9S Chain – NOVE9-1

e 8S Chain – OCTO-DH

(OCTO-DH ,TAYA E-bike chain,has been selected by Accell Group,

the world's biggest bike group.)

 

http://www.tayachain.com/webe/html/product/03.aspx?num=82

That's a nice find, I hope someone imports them to the UK.

 

Since they mention use with the Panasonic units, they should also be long enough for the longer wheelbase for a change.

That's a nice find, I hope someone imports them to the UK.

 

 

Depends on how many empty suitcases are being taken out to the Taipei Cycle show;)

 

TAYA - Nangang Exhibition Hall K0610

Edited March 3, 201412 yr by shemozzle999

I want one (7 speed) please!

That's a nice find, I hope someone imports them to the UK.

 

Since they mention use with the Panasonic units, they should also be long enough for the longer wheelbase for a change.

Yes a longer chain for the Panasonic would be great for my BH City 700. I had to use an extra section of chain and a quick link when I replaced it. As a footnote, the old worn out chain was costing me about 5 miles of range. I'm getting my original range again. The bike was new in June and has done just under 3,000 miles. I thought it was the battery.

Yes a longer chain for the Panasonic would be great for my BH City 700. I had to use an extra section of chain and a quick link when I replaced it. As a footnote, the old worn out chain was costing me about 5 miles of range. I'm getting my original range again. The bike was new in June and has done just under 3,000 miles. I thought it was the battery.

How did you figure out the decreased range? A longer chain for my bike too 130 links. Most seem to be 115 ish

How did you figure out the decreased range? A longer chain for my bike too 130 links. Most seem to be 115 ish

The indication that my range was better, with the new chain, was immediate. The performance of bike told the story when the power levels stayed in their zones much longer before dropping. With the worn chain, I was getting three round trips in and the battery would sometimes go flat a mile or two before I got home. Now, I am pretty sure I could make an extra one way trip with remaining power like I use to. Two charges later the battery has gone straight to two lights when put on the charger instead of one light after three round trips.

 

The rollers on the chain were worn and probably full of road slime grit. Where this is a chain drive bike and not a hub motor, it would stand to reason that a worn chain would create more drag on the motor.

Haibike, RC29. 38T chain ring to 11-36T rear block

 

I thought I check the chain last week, 10 weeks old and 1500 miles of commuting all weather since mid January. Few hundred miles in the mud too.

Regularly lubricated every couple of days or so.

 

Chain measured with a vernier. Almost to the thou, 1 % elongation.

Fitted new Shimano 105 chain with the required additional links to lengthen.

 

Worked a treat on all rear sprockets except the two smallest, jumped like mad. To be expected as these two are used 90 % of the time.

 

Rear block changed and all is well. Toolbox filled with 1/2 dozen, very well priced 105 chains.

 

I plan to change at 0.5% elongation in the future and save the block.

Remains to be seen, now that the weather is improving how often that will be.

I've got two Sram chains on the go at the same time now.

As I find that with power links it's easier to whip the chain off to clean it and the cassette gears, derailleur etc, I thought why not have a clean chain ready each time?

I'm hoping that each chain will wear pretty equally in line with the rear cassette gears and when both chains are done I'll change the cassette as well.

This may not work out of course but it is handy having a cleaned and properly lubricated chain ready to go on each time.

My stuff needs cleaning often as I'm nearly always on gritty tracks, thank goodness for disc brakes!

I've got two Sram chains on the go at the same time now.

As I find that with power links it's easier to whip the chain off to clean it and the cassette gears, derailleur etc, I thought why not have a clean chain ready each time?

I'm hoping that each chain will wear pretty equally in line with the rear cassette gears and when both chains are done I'll change the cassette as well.

This may not work out of course but it is handy having a cleaned and properly lubricated chain ready to go on each time.

My stuff needs cleaning often as I'm nearly always on gritty tracks, thank goodness for disc brakes!

An interesting plan. Do let us know how this works out when you have be doing it for a few chains.

 

Obviously easier to clean the chain off the bike but will it pay dividends?

An interesting plan. Do let us know how this works out when you have be doing it for a few chains.

 

68th birthday this year so we both may never know as my previous chains have lasted several years and many thousands of miles using leg power only.

I most certainly hope to be reporting back in the future and would like to wear out a few more chains..........

My main motivation is as you say, it makes cleaning easier.

Maybe someone younger could take on the experiment:)

68th birthday this year so we both may never know as my previous chains have lasted several years and many thousands of miles using leg power only.

I most certainly hope to be reporting back in the future and would like to wear out a few more chains..........

My main motivation is as you say, it makes cleaning easier.

Maybe someone younger could take on the experiment:)

Well, may you wear out many more chains before hanging up you bike.