can you use a 10 speed road chain with a rohloff cog

[firestarter4075]

Hi New user here, bought a bike with a rohloff , chuffed to bits just wondering while I'm sorting out bits I can sell if I can use a road 10 speed chain with rohloff cog as I've a few still in packaging. Thanks and I'll no doubt have more questions after I've read the rest of info on here

Wish I'd have found it before changing the cog as took a right effort before I gave in and took it to work and used a vice, and I laid it in theIhallway at home while looking for cog and got oil all over the carpet doh, well prompted me into an oil change so at least I know its done

Cheers Mick

[Danneaux]

Hi Mick!

Welcome to the Forum; nice to have you aboard!

Here is Rohloff's official statement on chains...

All 1/2" x 3/32" eight and nine speed chains are suitable for use with the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 although we recommend the eight speed version due to its slightly thicker link plates. All 1/2" x 1/8" bicycle chains are also compatible with the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14 sprockets. These thicker chains however are by no means stronger and not recommended for use with the Rohloff SPEEDHUB 500/14. In addition to this, they are not designed for the high mileages achieved with a SPEEDHUB and thus are subject to faster wear. These 1/2" x 1/8" chains are also unfortunately too wide to pass through the Rohloff chain tensioner.

...from: http://www.rohloff.de/en/service/faq/faq_detail/archive/2005/11/july/article/Bike_Components_which_are_recommended/index.html

Without grabbing my calipers, I think a 10-sp chain would be too narrow to run optimally on the Rohloff cog, even though many single-speed chainrings are listed as being compatible with 10-sp chains. Not saying it can't be done, but I have my doubts. If you don't get a definitive answer, I'll be happy to measure my Rohloff's cog thickness and check it against inner chain dimensions.

I can understand your desire to use up old stock, but I also have some concerns the 10-sp chain's thinner plates and roller would result in accelerated wear of the entire drivetrain compared to the 8- and 9-speed chains Rohloff recommend above.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Dan.

[firestarter4075]

Hi I suspected as much many thanks for your reply, I will have to sell them on

[keleher]

This business of 3/32" vs 1/8" is a bit confusing, as I wasn't able to find this info on SRAM's site, or at Amazon, or REI.

I just put an 8-speed SRAM 850 "PC P-LINK" on my Thorn. Seems to have no issues so far, but I'm not sure whether it's the thicker variety.

[Andybg]

Hi Mick

Welcome to the forum. What bike have you bought? Always interesting to see other peoples bikes on here.

Cheers

Andy

[firestarter4075]

Hi its a salsa el Mariachi very pleased with it pardon the decor its works store room lol

[ians]

I just put an 8-speed SRAM 850 "PC P-LINK" on my Thorn. Seems to have no issues so far, but I'm not sure whether it's the thicker variety.

I've used this particular chain on my Sterling and my current RT - no problems at all.

Nice bike BTW Mick

ians

[il padrone]

Standard Rohloff sprockets are 3/32". 8-speed and 9-speed chains should run fine on these, the internal spacing is the same, just narrower plate and pin external widths. I've gone for 8-speed for a bit better durability with thicker side plates and internal 'bush' folding. I am not sure about the 10-speed chains.