Gold chain .. yay or not?

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Runako

No, not referring to old lines. If the lines are old, they're old. Replacing them with aftermarket rubber hoses are still an improvement on stock and won't give a squidgy feel. But its such a common recommendation isn't it. If you're making a change anyway, why not go all the way with braided lines right? That's probably what factors into the decision for the average rider rather than a distinctive improvement in feel. I changed mine within a year and tbh I would question whether I initially felt any improvement until I got unto the track after the change.

Please show me some aftermarket rubber hoses.


Might I present the argument that the OEM (knackered in 5 years...) crap would cost you (for curvy) about £50 PER HOSE and there are 3 at the front. Compared to £80 or so for some decent braideds that will last indefinitely.

So, they solve the problem, they last forever, work perfectly and they are cheap to boot.


This is a very very long way away from arguing about whether to get some chavvy crap gold colour on your chain that you pay extra for and adds absolutely, and I mean absolutely nothing.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Please show me some aftermarket rubber hoses.


Might I present the argument that the OEM (knackered in 5 years...) crap would cost you (for curvy) about £50 PER HOSE and there are 3 at the front. Compared to £80 or so for some decent braideds that will last indefinitely.

So, they solve the problem, they last forever, work perfectly and they are cheap to boot.


This is a very very long way away from arguing about whether to get some chavvy crap gold colour on your chain that you pay extra for and adds absolutely, and I mean absolutely nothing.

No. I have looked at companies that manufacture hoses to length and they are not that price. I found a company who made my rear braded line to measure and they do the replacement OEM hoses for less than that.

And no, IMO its not that far away. Others have recommended the renthals because they are lighter. Will it make a difference to the average rider? No. On a new bike, you can say to the rider "keep your OEM hoses, no need to change them" either. They will still prefer to get hoses in the colour and style to suit their bike. Its a personal thing for some. Nothing to do with the actual difference in performance, just the perceived difference and customisation benefit.

I have a spare set of OEM brake hoses taken from my SVK9 which have done less than 5k. They are on my for sale thread and ebay, in great condition. Have they had any interest or even an offer? No one has been breaking my door down to get them.

Don't get me wrong YC, I agree the Renthals may not be as durable as steel. As for the chain, I have no reason to think the DID X ring is worse than something else as I've only had stock. But the price was reasonably comprable with O ring. If it doesn't last, I'll just try an O ring on your recommendation, but I won't see the X ring as a bad experience. Its not like its gonna break and go flying off is it?

Chains fine. I seem to lube it fairly regularly, after long rides. To date I've found only 1 very difficult link and sorted that today. Sprocket seems Ok but there is visible wear so, as promised, here's a little vid to show how they've worn after 6 or 7k. Please tell me what you all think:

Chain's in another vid if anyone wants to see how that is wearing (bought at same time - DID X Rinng Gold "Chav").

[yorkie_chris]

Looks quite hooked to me but it's hard to tell with the angles of shot in the video.

Originally Posted by Runako

Others have recommended the renthals because they are lighter. Will it make a difference to the average rider?

Don't get me wrong YC, I agree the Renthals may not be as durable as steel. As for the chain, I have no reason to think the DID X ring is worse than something else as I've only had stock. But the price was reasonably comprable with O ring. If it doesn't last, I'll just try an O ring on your recommendation, but I won't see the X ring as a bad experience. Its not like its gonna break and go flying off is it?

Renthals have a really important difference that's nothing to do with weight... they don't buckle and snap in a minor spill and that makes the difference between riding home and not.

I'm not saying X rings wear out faster, I'm saying they don't wear out any slower... which makes any extra cost a waste.


Fact that you had a stiff link suggests you need to lube it more. These should never happen and I mean never. If a link does go stiff it will wear everything out faster.
I had a tsubaki sigma on for nearly 40,000 miles and not a single stiff link, but I have a scottoiler...

Thanks, can't figure out why that particular link was stuck as every other link around it was fine. It gets lubed regularly but the bike does live outside. However, there is no rust. Maybe a problem with the seal in that link? Anyway, I've freed it up and will keep an eye on it.

Fair enough about the chain life. Tbh, if I was really that concerned about longevity I would go with the recommendation.

Hmmm, the sprocket teeth feel sharp to the touch but only the odd one or two are what you may be referring to as hooked. If it was a problem, how would it manifest itself? Is it something I can feel on the bike?

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Runako

Hmmm, the sprocket teeth feel sharp to the touch but only the odd one or two are what you may be referring to as hooked. If it was a problem, how would it manifest itself?

Wear chain out faster

Ok, seems fine then.

[yorkie_chris]

To get slightly more technical about it as you wear the teeth of the chain out it changes the effective pitch of the sprocket, this will put all the contact pressure of drive onto one or two teeth rather than across the whole lot.
The hooking is just the side effect of the overall wear.


Steel rears wear about the same rate as chains so the effective pitch stays the same where the fronts wear a lot faster (unsurprising since they're seeing 3x the number of contacts) so for absolute greatest life you should get a couple of front sprockets and rotate them like every oil change or something. But not many people can be bothered, me included, I reckon 35,000 miles out of a chain is fine by me. Then I got bored of chains and bought a shaftie to do the miles on anyway.

[yorkie_chris]

I give you until 15k and it will look like this:

(that is steel by the way, just a really, really f***ed one)

Ah Ok. That illustrates what to look out for. Some of those teeth appear to be completely broken! Someone was actually using this? Don't think I'll ever allow mine to get into that condition. Btw, I've never heard of that with the front sprockets, just naturally assumed it would be as durable as the rear but what you say makes sense. I've not checked the front but I have a major overhaul coming soon so will check.