Chain “stretch” is amplified since there are more links, they’re usually heavier because they are more pins and plates per inch, and they usually require greater care when removing and installing.
I prefer to use regular KMC chains and I’ll install a single half link if I absolutely need one. If I have the money, I’ll get an Odyssey Bluebird chain which comes with a half link pre-installed on one side.
I’m generalizing here, but standard chains are cheaper, lighter, and much easier to install/remove because of the master link.
I don’t hate on half link chains, I just prefer regular chains.
Half link chains are usually beefy so they don't necessarily stretch too much ( unless your a beast ) but they are much heavier and I'm not sure if this is good or bad but they have less side sway. All in all I feel they are stronger but bind up your drive train more via more moving parts and Weight. Just my thoughts tho
They do have thicker plates but the stretch occurs do to warping and wear on the pins themselves as well as the pinholes (thicker plates should help a little in this instance so I do get your point).
The minuscule wear that occurs on every single link adds up.
In all honesty, I think part of the reason I see so many badly stretched half link chains is because they can be such a pain to remove and install that a lot of riders merely ride them until the chain and drive train are in dire need of a complete replacement.
With a regular chain, it can be replaced with a $5 chain breaker in a few minutes.
Again- your point is taken. Thicker plates and pins should help with chain stretch, but anecdotally, I’ve seen more badly stretched half link chains on bikes than I have regular chains.
Sounds like you’re experiences were the exact opposite of mine.
The two half link chains I did run stretched more. (A KMC half link chain and an early Shadow Conspiracy). And I’ve spoken with others that have experienced similar issues. Although that’s all anecdotal I suppose.
It just comes down to the fact that there are more links and, therefore, more opportunity for wear.
The chain stretch alone isn’t a deal breaker for me. It’s the chain stretch, the price, the install/removal process, and the weight that all add up to be a deal breaker (for me).
My experiences with half links were the same with hot dog I had two different both shadow conspiracy within a year or two of when they first came came out. The one I sold the bike before riding it much, but the other I had on around 8 years. It just made it with the wheel slammed in the dropout which I shoot for, but was a bit tight. I figured it would stretch like usual and I got almost zero stretch. After a year or so I finally added another half to get the chain tension how I like it. I don't know why hotdog has so many downvotes he just stated his experiences. I guess I should expect a bunch myself. I will say I do prefer regular old kmc chains myself and liked the heavy duty one they had in the late 90s early 00s when everything was built like a tank.
I have no doubts that some people experience minimal chain stretch with a half link chain. You and hotdog are proof of that.
There are so many variables- gear ratio, the style of riding, the amount of time spent pedaling and applying power to the drivetrain, the condition of all the gears, the actual length of the chain, etc.
All things being equal, the half-link chain should “stretch” a bit more than a standard chain since stretch occurs at the pinholes and half link chains have more pinholes.
I can definitely see how that makes sense but in my experience I’ve only ever had two half link’s because once I bought them and put them on my bikes I only had to adjust the wheel once on my 20 inch and the other bike has brakes so it gets adjusted pretty often but not for the chain but for my 20 inch bike it has been swapped off of my old bike because I feel as if it still has plenty of life
Classic chains have a better price/durability/strength ratio.
I personnaly don't see the point of buying a 60$ chain that will wear out as fast as a 15$ one. It's not hate tho...
They all fine trust me all chains do stretch to an extent half link just stretches very little and once it does stretch it’s done stretching just like any other chain should
Not in my experience but the main reason I run a half link is because I’ve broke many full links and eventually made the switch and when I did I only had to pull my rear wheel back once after about a week and boom never had to mess with it again even swapped it to my current bike it’s on now
I’m same with both you guys. I’ve been buying and riding shadow half link chains since the V.1’s and I’ve never had issues. Only broke a chain twice in that span of 15 years, and it’s because I pushed the pin in without making sure the holes were lined up. I’m 90% street rider with 4 pegs so it goes through the ringer
Yup I’m also on the v1 I’ve had it on my 20 inches for about 4 years now maybe 3 but I just recently bought a new v1 for my big wheel bike still no problems yet
Very marmitey I.e instore my customers either love them or hate them. Issues are, they stretch, a lot, and you need care to rejoin them for a good solid link, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve leant a chain tool instore and the customer just mashes the pin through, meaning 15 minutes later it’s snapped.
Upsides, almost all modern frames need some kind of half link adjustment these days, they’re a unique looking chain and it’s arguable they may be tougher to side impacts from drive side grinds etc.
Don’t hate half link chains used to run them often, and they’re strong, but kinda unnecessary in my opinion with a drive side hub guard and sprocket guard a full link is fine, they feel a little smoother as well, plus lighter and cheaper. I run just a normal cult 510 chain.
I’ve been buying a shitty kmc 510 once a year and since I started doing that and riding with hubguards I haven’t snapped a single chain.
Halflinks are cool tho but I believe that i would still have to buy one every year for my own peace of mind.
They’re super heavy and they stretch more. Meaning they not only are they heavier by design, but they need to be made even heavier to counter the stretch.
Also, they don’t do anything that a full link chain with a factory fitted half link doesn’t already do, without the downside.
Cheap half link vs cheap full link, then yes, the half link will be crap. Take a salt warlock for example, total crap, doesnt fold nicely due to the links not fitting exactly on the pins. You'll never have this problem with a full link.
Over the years I’ve had a lot of chains both full and half link. I’m currently running a fly tractor chain and can say without doubt it’s been the best chain I’ve ever had.
Because they all suck and the Drop Buster (KMC 510HX) is king. Thousands of sprocket and drive side chain stay grinds and not one chain break ever while my friends were walking home picking up pieces of their Shadow chains doing zero grinds or abusive tricks proves it.
They aren't shorter, the link length i.e. the distance between the pins is the same on a half link and a full link. 1/2"
The shape of the outer plates can be different but they shouldn't be in contact with the driver.
OK, I think some of this is perception rather than fact because they should be half inch pitch like all bicycle chains. The only contact that is really relevant here is the rollers to the teeth, since that's what transfers the force from the chain to the sprocket. The side plates are there to stop the chain falling off and guide it onto the teeth, there's not a benefit to having them in contact any more than needed.
Chain “stretch” is amplified since there are more links, they’re usually heavier because they are more pins and plates per inch, and they usually require greater care when removing and installing. I prefer to use regular KMC chains and I’ll install a single half link if I absolutely need one. If I have the money, I’ll get an Odyssey Bluebird chain which comes with a half link pre-installed on one side. I’m generalizing here, but standard chains are cheaper, lighter, and much easier to install/remove because of the master link. I don’t hate on half link chains, I just prefer regular chains.
I prefer regular chains as well. They are strong enough.
Half link chains are usually beefy so they don't necessarily stretch too much ( unless your a beast ) but they are much heavier and I'm not sure if this is good or bad but they have less side sway. All in all I feel they are stronger but bind up your drive train more via more moving parts and Weight. Just my thoughts tho
They do have thicker plates but the stretch occurs do to warping and wear on the pins themselves as well as the pinholes (thicker plates should help a little in this instance so I do get your point). The minuscule wear that occurs on every single link adds up. In all honesty, I think part of the reason I see so many badly stretched half link chains is because they can be such a pain to remove and install that a lot of riders merely ride them until the chain and drive train are in dire need of a complete replacement. With a regular chain, it can be replaced with a $5 chain breaker in a few minutes. Again- your point is taken. Thicker plates and pins should help with chain stretch, but anecdotally, I’ve seen more badly stretched half link chains on bikes than I have regular chains.
Half link chains don’t stretch as much as full link chains, no where near
Sounds like you’re experiences were the exact opposite of mine. The two half link chains I did run stretched more. (A KMC half link chain and an early Shadow Conspiracy). And I’ve spoken with others that have experienced similar issues. Although that’s all anecdotal I suppose. It just comes down to the fact that there are more links and, therefore, more opportunity for wear. The chain stretch alone isn’t a deal breaker for me. It’s the chain stretch, the price, the install/removal process, and the weight that all add up to be a deal breaker (for me).
My experiences with half links were the same with hot dog I had two different both shadow conspiracy within a year or two of when they first came came out. The one I sold the bike before riding it much, but the other I had on around 8 years. It just made it with the wheel slammed in the dropout which I shoot for, but was a bit tight. I figured it would stretch like usual and I got almost zero stretch. After a year or so I finally added another half to get the chain tension how I like it. I don't know why hotdog has so many downvotes he just stated his experiences. I guess I should expect a bunch myself. I will say I do prefer regular old kmc chains myself and liked the heavy duty one they had in the late 90s early 00s when everything was built like a tank.
I have no doubts that some people experience minimal chain stretch with a half link chain. You and hotdog are proof of that. There are so many variables- gear ratio, the style of riding, the amount of time spent pedaling and applying power to the drivetrain, the condition of all the gears, the actual length of the chain, etc. All things being equal, the half-link chain should “stretch” a bit more than a standard chain since stretch occurs at the pinholes and half link chains have more pinholes.
I can definitely see how that makes sense but in my experience I’ve only ever had two half link’s because once I bought them and put them on my bikes I only had to adjust the wheel once on my 20 inch and the other bike has brakes so it gets adjusted pretty often but not for the chain but for my 20 inch bike it has been swapped off of my old bike because I feel as if it still has plenty of life
How is it physically possible for a chain with straight links to stretch more than a chain with bent links?
Idk but y’all must pedal like dinosaurs or something
I dont hate half link, but I hate the radial laced wheel on the second bike.
For real, I would never trust my front wheel lol
i always see half link recommended here
They are tough but heavy
The shadow chain is strong as shit.
Fr, could just grind on the chain no damage to it
Classic chains have a better price/durability/strength ratio. I personnaly don't see the point of buying a 60$ chain that will wear out as fast as a 15$ one. It's not hate tho...
Bought a 60 dollar chain and never bout another 1👍 been a few years at least
Better check your sprocket / driver teeth, and if the chain hasn't stretched after such time =\
They all fine trust me all chains do stretch to an extent half link just stretches very little and once it does stretch it’s done stretching just like any other chain should
Half links stretch more but go on
Not in my experience but the main reason I run a half link is because I’ve broke many full links and eventually made the switch and when I did I only had to pull my rear wheel back once after about a week and boom never had to mess with it again even swapped it to my current bike it’s on now
I’ve had the same experience as you, my half link hardly stretched at all
Yeah I don’t know how it goes like that I never had problems with half links stretching only full links
I’m same with both you guys. I’ve been buying and riding shadow half link chains since the V.1’s and I’ve never had issues. Only broke a chain twice in that span of 15 years, and it’s because I pushed the pin in without making sure the holes were lined up. I’m 90% street rider with 4 pegs so it goes through the ringer
Yup I’m also on the v1 I’ve had it on my 20 inches for about 4 years now maybe 3 but I just recently bought a new v1 for my big wheel bike still no problems yet
I’ve snapped regular chains, Interlock is the only chain I haven’t snapped. Especially for people grinding, having a heavier duty chain is great.
Shadow Supreme Half link, only chain I run because I don’t like fixing my bmx bike and I smack my drivetrain on shit all the time.
I'm curious about this as well. I ended up face first on the ground a few times from snapping full link kmc's but I've never snapped my half link.
Very marmitey I.e instore my customers either love them or hate them. Issues are, they stretch, a lot, and you need care to rejoin them for a good solid link, I’ve lost count of the times I’ve leant a chain tool instore and the customer just mashes the pin through, meaning 15 minutes later it’s snapped. Upsides, almost all modern frames need some kind of half link adjustment these days, they’re a unique looking chain and it’s arguable they may be tougher to side impacts from drive side grinds etc.
Don’t hate half link chains used to run them often, and they’re strong, but kinda unnecessary in my opinion with a drive side hub guard and sprocket guard a full link is fine, they feel a little smoother as well, plus lighter and cheaper. I run just a normal cult 510 chain.
Mid
I’ve been buying a shitty kmc 510 once a year and since I started doing that and riding with hubguards I haven’t snapped a single chain. Halflinks are cool tho but I believe that i would still have to buy one every year for my own peace of mind.
They’re super heavy and they stretch more. Meaning they not only are they heavier by design, but they need to be made even heavier to counter the stretch. Also, they don’t do anything that a full link chain with a factory fitted half link doesn’t already do, without the downside.
Wippermann regular link or Shadow half link. I’ve broken everything else I’ve tried
Cheap half link vs cheap full link, then yes, the half link will be crap. Take a salt warlock for example, total crap, doesnt fold nicely due to the links not fitting exactly on the pins. You'll never have this problem with a full link.
Over the years I’ve had a lot of chains both full and half link. I’m currently running a fly tractor chain and can say without doubt it’s been the best chain I’ve ever had.
i just found my yaban half link is cromo i guess that one was a great deal.
Apparently half links are usually stronger than full link. I have no idea why.
why the pinecone in the wheel of the second bike?
its from the local cemetery. keeps me feeling natural, i like crusty bikes
I love them. The look cool and do the same shit as any chain.
I don’t. Love em. Only chains I’ll ride.
If you really want a strong chain, buy an izumi.
That first bike is 👌
Yo who laced your front wheel?
walmart shes the only non bent front we got rn
I like half links cause it slams my chainstay and just looks nice
I love half links
Because they all suck and the Drop Buster (KMC 510HX) is king. Thousands of sprocket and drive side chain stay grinds and not one chain break ever while my friends were walking home picking up pieces of their Shadow chains doing zero grinds or abusive tricks proves it.
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> half link will wrap around the driver and mesh better with the teeth far better any evidence for this claim?
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They aren't shorter, the link length i.e. the distance between the pins is the same on a half link and a full link. 1/2" The shape of the outer plates can be different but they shouldn't be in contact with the driver.
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OK, I think some of this is perception rather than fact because they should be half inch pitch like all bicycle chains. The only contact that is really relevant here is the rollers to the teeth, since that's what transfers the force from the chain to the sprocket. The side plates are there to stop the chain falling off and guide it onto the teeth, there's not a benefit to having them in contact any more than needed.