Single Chain for Your Long-Stay Bike

[Collin A]

If like me, you have a longstay Rivendell and have some minor inconveniences with the luxurious ride it provides, I have good news! Most of the Shimano 11 speed chains (which shift great on 9 and 10 speed drivetrains, and last longer than the 9 and 10 speed chains) can now be bought at 126 links long, which means no more cobbling together a normal 114 link plus 10+/- links from another chain. Maybe folks were already aware, but maybe not.

For reference, my 51 cm Joe Appaloosa with 52 cm chainstays running a 42/24 chainrings and 11-34 cassette requires 124 links. I'll likely pickup a microshoft sword 10 speed 11-38 to go along with a new chain

Search for: shimano 11 speed chain - Performance Bicycle (performancebike.com)

Happy Riding,

Collin, no longer splicing chains at least, in Berkeley

[Armand Kizirian]

This is a great option, but once you buy two chains once, then save the excess, then you only need to buy one more chain for quite a lot of intervals thereafter.

How has your experience been running the 11spd chain on 9-speed cassettes, if any?

[Justin Kennedy]

Good looking out! Thanks for the tip. 

[Josh C]

Agreed, thanks Collin. I don't mind splitting the chains but it'd be easier to simply buy one long chain and be done with it. 

[Ryan Frahm]

Another good option! I have used this 10 speed 136 link chain and it lasts forever. Splitting a chain is no big deal but I have really enjoyed not dealing with it. 
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=92096&category=533

[Nick Payne]

I bought a 136 link Wipperman 11se chain for my Appaloosa. Can't remember how many excess links I removed to get the correct length chain with a 38t big chainring and 11-40 cassette:

https://www.connexchain.com/en/bike-chains/detail/connex-11se

They also make the same length chain in 7/8/9/10-speed, and other manufacturers (eg YBN, BBB, KMC) offer the same 136 link length as well.

NIck Payne