7 speed chain

[limey]

I am currently running a thread on derailleurs regarding 7 speed blocks. However, another bump has appeared in my road - scarcity of 7 speed chains.
I really wanted Schramm, but can't find one, but Competitviecyclist have just told me that the Shimano 9 speed chain is compatible with 7 speed. I am sceptical so I decided to canvas you guys. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks

[nfmisso]

You can use any 7/8/9 speed chain with a 7 speed bike. My preferences are KMC and SRAM; because on the master link. Amazon stocks them - and many other bike parts.

[limey]

Thanks again nf. I think that I have garnered all of the 7 speed information that I can, so I'll now leave everyone in peace.
PS I don't have enough riding life left to justify the expense of upgrading, so I will just have to keep searching.

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Thanks again nf. I think that I have garnered all of the 7 speed information that I can, so I'll now leave everyone in peace.
PS I don't have enough riding life left to justify the expense of upgrading, so I will just have to keep searching.

[1FJEF]

The 9 speed chain you refer to is narrower & lighter than the typical KMC 7 & 8 speed chains, which have 7.3mm pins. Some models have bulgy looking side plates too.
KMC 9 speed chains have 6.6mm pins and rollers that are 1/128" narrower than 7 speed chains, so no big deal.
If you want an inexpensive quality chain that looks good on an older bike I use the KMC Z72. It's brownish, it is 7.1mm pin length, so it's reasonably narrow, it uses the KMC Missing Link II connector if you want spares.
It is also very reasonably priced for looking so right. No silver or chrome.
Expect to use a tool to unlink a missing link connector, they rarely come apart without a fight.
Most recently I put a spare, used, Z72 on a Trek Navigator 2.0 Comfort bike with SRAM 1:1 derailleur & shifters, it shifts very nicely, I like it. Very strong too, I'm a big boy.

[limey]

(01-15-2014, 05:32 PM)1FJEF Wrote:  The 9 speed chain you refer to is narrower & lighter than the typical KMC 7 & 8 speed chains, which have 7.3mm pins. Some models have bulgy looking side plates too.
KMC 9 speed chains have 6.6mm pins and rollers that are 1/128" narrower than 7 speed chains, so no big deal.
If you want an inexpensive quality chain that looks good on an older bike I use the KMC Z72. It's brownish, it is 7.1mm pin length, so it's reasonably narrow, it uses the KMC Missing Link II connector if you want spares.
It is also very reasonably priced for looking so right. No silver or chrome.
Expect to use a tool to unlink a missing link connector, they rarely come apart without a fight.
Most recently I put a spare, used, Z72 on a Trek Navigator 2.0 Comfort bike with SRAM 1:1 derailleur & shifters, it shifts very nicely, I like it. Very strong too, I'm a big boy.

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Coincidently I have just ordered a KMC chain - KMC Z51, listed has 6/7/8 speed. It was relatively cheap, so it won't be a disaster if it's not what I want. My racing days are long gone, I only do fitness riding now, so it won't get punished.

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Coincidently I have just ordered a KMC chain - KMC Z51, listed has 6/7/8 speed. It was relatively cheap, so it won't be a disaster if it's not what I want. My racing days are long gone, I only do fitness riding now, so it won't get punished.

[nfmisso]

The Z51 is fine, I have that chain on at least one of my bikes.