General question re Chains

[barney]

Hi everyone..,first-time poster here, hoping to learn so,I can enjoy my biking pleasure. First an intro..I am now 59 years old, took up biking around 8 months back.., total couch potato on 7 different maintenance meds.. now have racked up more than 4000km, 30lbs lighter, completely off meds and am absolutely addicted to my bike... my first bike was a Giant Seek 2 Hybrid which I got 3rd-hand..,served me well and put more than 2000kms on it on paved roads.. once I knew I was serious, I invested in new bike which my nephew and I had assembled.. it's a MTB frame,,rigid fork, hard-tail with Deore groupset 3X10 and 29" X 35C cyclocross tires. My riding is still predominantly on paved road but I dabble on trails once in a while.. variety is nice but nothing exreme..

Anyway, I still have a lot to learn so I decided to sign up...
I have a general question regarding chains..,I recently measured my chain and after 2000kms.it exhibits minimal,stretching.. but eventually It,will need replacement.. there are so many choices in the market that appear be compatible with my bike..,what should guide my choice of replacement,chain? Are chains designed for use on,a roadbike OK to use with a MTB and vice-versa?

Hope to hear your responses/suggestions.,
Thanks..

[nfmisso]

Road/mountain/what ever - does not matter.

The chain needs to be compatible with the cog spacing of your cassette and work with your derailleur.

For example, for you 3 x 10; I would use: http://www.amazon.com/KMC-10-Speed-116-Links-Bicycle-28-Inch/dp/B001AYOP9M/

And if you are a real weight weenie: http://www.amazon.com/KMC-Superlite-Bicycle-Missing-10-Speed/dp/B001U727YE/

If you have measurable stretch; you should be planning on changing your cassette/freewheel at the same time as the chain; and closely inspect your chainrings.

[barney]

(06-25-2014, 11:59 AM)nfmisso Wrote:  Road/mountain/what ever - does not matter.

The chain needs to be compatible with the cog spacing of your cassette and work with your derailleur.

For example, for you 3 x 10; I would use: http://www.amazon.com/KMC-10-Speed-116-Links-Bicycle-28-Inch/dp/B001AYOP9M/

And if you are a real weight weenie: http://www.amazon.com/KMC-Superlite-Bicycle-Missing-10-Speed/dp/B001U727YE/

If you have measurable stretch; you should be planning on changing your cassette/freewheel at the same time as the chain; and closely inspect your chainrings.

Thanks, I thought so but glad for the confirmation.. weight not an issue with me, just want a durable chain. My brother and,I have gotten into a spirited debate on how chain length is best measured.,He swears by a chain-measuring tool while I resort to my metal tape measure... neither side is willing to back down apparently LOL.. but we did agree that whatever one uses, consistency is key..,Will,swap ot the chain once I hit 1/16" mark.

[nfmisso]

(06-25-2014, 06:55 PM)barney Wrote:  ,Will,swap ot the chain once I hit 1/16" mark.

Generally 1/16" in 12 inches - chain tool is just a 12" ruler.....

I use what ever is convenient at the time.