Considerations when buying a chain.

The chain of my bike broke off while I was riding. I was trying to catch up with some social ride and in my frustration I threw the chain into a trash can. When I'll go to buy a new chain I won't know how long the chain needs to be.
Many question

What makes a good chain?
Any brand I should Avoid?
Any common mistakes done when putting a new chain?
Shell I just let the guy at the store do it (I can buy the tool for the same price)?
Do the colored chains keep their color over time or do they turn black?

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 14, 2009 at 5:25pm
Dubi,

How many speeds do you have on your cassette?
Permalink Reply by cutifly on June 14, 2009 at 5:37pm
did it break on WNBR ? Get left all alone nake with a broken bike ?
Permalink Reply by Dubi Kaufmann on June 14, 2009 at 5:39pm
3x8
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on June 14, 2009 at 5:50pm
8-speed SRAM

All hail the PowerLink. No chain tool needed to install or remove.

Dubi Kaufmann said:
3x8
Permalink Reply by S on June 14, 2009 at 5:56pm

You'll need to get a 8 speed chain but they should be relatively cheap. A decent shimano (105 if you are using a road bike) or a SRAM chain should work and would probably set you back around $20. The chain will be longer than you need when you get it and you'll need to use a chain tool to remove the links that you don't need. Check out the park tools page for instructions on how to install and size your chain.

I'd advise learning how to do it yourself since it's not that hard and it might be handy if you end up breaking your chain or derailleur on a ride. If have a powerlink on you, you can always use that to convert your bike into a single speed bike and limp home from where ever you may be.

Permalink Reply by Jon Timmins on June 14, 2009 at 6:46pm
to get the chain length right you wrap the chain around your large chainring and the largest gear in your cassette, then add one link in that length. don't run it though the derailleur when your sizing it.
Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on June 14, 2009 at 8:16pm
I once bought a gold single speed chain. It looked cool for about a day before it was dirty. After that, you'd never had known.
Permalink Reply by Anne on June 15, 2009 at 4:44am
"Big Big, plus one inch" is a good rule.

Jon Timmins said:
to get the chain length right you wrap the chain around your large chainring and the largest gear in your cassette, then add one link in that length. don't run it though the derailleur when your sizing it.
Permalink Reply by Dubi Kaufmann on June 16, 2009 at 2:58pm
just got a chain from Kozy's for 20$ (Sram pc 850) and it was the right length with a powerlink connector. truly plug and play.
Thanks for all the tips.
Permalink Reply by Jessica on June 16, 2009 at 4:25pm
Hmmm....from the shop girl: To get the length right, you want it on the SMALLEST (size wise) front and back. Run it through your derailleur, and set it so that there is about an inch between the derailleur and the chain. That way you are guaranteed that your derailleur can take up the slack and not rub.

Sram chains are the shit. And this is coming from a Shimano girl...

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