Chain replacement

[John Saxby]

FWIW, I have the following for my Mercury Mk 3: 

Connex 8-08 & 3 or 4 KMC Z-1.  I bought these online in UK & Germany, cost around USD 15 each, if memory serves.

(Currently, similar chains in Canada are between C$16 and $20, so the reference points above are still valid.)

On my Raven, I used KMC 8x98, which cost a little less, and worked very well.  I used to change my chain after ~4000-5000 km.

[Mike Ayling]

I have experienced the problem outlined by the OP and others with my Mercury.
I tried the half link but it didn't work for me.
Messed around with the EBB and finally it worked.
Just ensure that you have the same number of links in the new chain as the old.
I use cheap 8 speed chains and run them until I can lift the chain off the chain ring.
YMMV

Mike

[Matt2matt2002]

I have experienced the problem outlined by the OP and others with my Mercury.
I tried the half link but it didn't work for me.
Messed around with the EBB and finally it worked.
Just ensure that you have the same number of links in the new chain as the old.
I use cheap 8 speed chains and run them until I can lift the chain off the chain ring.
YMMV

Mike

What's the FLA, YMMV, mean?
Thanks
Matt

[RobertW]

Thank you for you comments.

I was not aware of the 3 point Park chain checker.  Looking on the SJS site they have an older Park design and a KMC design which give measurements on chain extension, rather than a go/no go result, which appeals to 'nerdy' mind.  Will think about investing in one or more of these.

I think my plan will be to keep running the chain through the winter and see how the wear/ extension develops.  I have some half-links somewhere, will have to dig them out to see if they are any use once I run out of adjustment on the EBB.

Robert

[Mike Ayling]

I have experienced the problem outlined by the OP and others with my Mercury.
I tried the half link but it didn't work for me.
Messed around with the EBB and finally it worked.
Just ensure that you have the same number of links in the new chain as the old.
I use cheap 8 speed chains and run them until I can lift the chain off the chain ring.
YMMV

Mike

What's the FLA, YMMV, mean?
Thanks
Matt

YMMV = Your mileage may vary = you may disagree or have a different result.

[Matt2matt2002]

I have experienced the problem outlined by the OP and others with my Mercury.
I tried the half link but it didn't work for me.
Messed around with the EBB and finally it worked.
Just ensure that you have the same number of links in the new chain as the old.
I use cheap 8 speed chains and run them until I can lift the chain off the chain ring.
YMMV

Mike

What's the FLA, YMMV, mean?
Thanks
Matt

YMMV = Your mileage may vary = you may disagree or have a different result.

Thanks. And you know, FLA?

[Mike Ayling]

I have no idea about FLA or who mentioned it.

[John Saxby]

FLA:  place in the States, long way south of here.  Cycle references?  Dunno. 

[Matt2matt2002]

I have no idea about FLA or who mentioned it.

FLA = Four Letter Abbreviation 😏

[mickeg]

...
...
FLA = Four Letter Abbreviation 😏

FLA is three letters <insert chuckle here>.

I could not find that on my list of acronyms that I keep handy.

[Oggi]

TLA, three letter acronym. Standard NATO speak, oops that an FLA.

[steve216c]

FWIW, I have the following for my Mercury Mk 3: 

Connex 8-08 & 3 or 4 KMC Z-1.  I bought these online in UK & Germany, cost around USD 15 each, if memory serves.

(Currently, similar chains in Canada are between C$16 and $20, so the reference points above are still valid.)

On my Raven, I used KMC 8x98, which cost a little less, and worked very well.  I used to change my chain after ~4000-5000 km.

I run on Connex 808 too. First 808 ran for 13,000km. Current 808 is approaching 9000km and still ok. It doesn’t need to be a single speed chain.

[Andre Jute]

I too used to run Connex chains until they became more difficult to get and I discovered the KMC X8, which I buy several of at a time. The advantage of the X8 (any KMC chain, really) is its factory lube, which I think is the best of all the proprietary factory lubes. This is important to me because I operate a near-zero maintenance bike, the operating procedures for which include minimising the times I have to bend over the bike, which leads to running the chain for its entire life on the factory lube. It works. If you haven't yet seen my factory be experiment, there's a summary at
http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=6813.msg42349#msg42349

[Mike Ayling]

I have no idea about FLA or who mentioned it.

FLA = Four Letter Abbreviation 😏

When I ceased working full time I took a contract at a well known charity.
When I asked about frequent references to TSA in internal documents I was told that it meant The Salvation Army!