Difference between Chains O-ring and normal
- Thread starter Andre74
- Start date
rmc_olderthandirt
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- Apr 18, 2006
- 1,533
- 8
The difference is the O-rings! ;)
Each link of the chain forms a joint that needs to move freely. You start with a nice clean, oiled chain and each link will move freely and it works great. Then you ride through the dirt, mud, water, dust, etc. and the chain gets a little dirty. The O-rings seal the joint of each link to keep the dirt out.
I can't imagine why the bike shop would say that the non-Oring chains are better. If you were a top tier racer, where every once counted, where even the tiniest amount of friction could mean the difference between winning and losing, then you might want to consider a non O-ring chain. All those seals do create friction, and they probably add an extra ounce or two.
If you do that, then you better also plan on cleaning that chain after every race or the benefits will be lost.
For the casual rider, O-ring chains are the way to go. Clean off the caked on gunk every once and a while, spray on a little lube and you are good to go.
Rod
Each link of the chain forms a joint that needs to move freely. You start with a nice clean, oiled chain and each link will move freely and it works great. Then you ride through the dirt, mud, water, dust, etc. and the chain gets a little dirty. The O-rings seal the joint of each link to keep the dirt out.
I can't imagine why the bike shop would say that the non-Oring chains are better. If you were a top tier racer, where every once counted, where even the tiniest amount of friction could mean the difference between winning and losing, then you might want to consider a non O-ring chain. All those seals do create friction, and they probably add an extra ounce or two.
If you do that, then you better also plan on cleaning that chain after every race or the benefits will be lost.
For the casual rider, O-ring chains are the way to go. Clean off the caked on gunk every once and a while, spray on a little lube and you are good to go.
Rod
Thing is...
The o-ring chain has lubricant pre-injected into the area around the pin, and keeps it there with the sealing rings. This lubricant can only last so long before it is depleted and can no longer protect the friction surfaces of the pin and bushing.
Once the pre-injected grease has lost it's ability to protect, or it has escaped from the area because of minor cracks and defects in one or more rings, the chain is on a fast downhill slide that you can do very little to stop. (sprockets will go along for the ride as well)
This all means that a ring chain has a finite lifespan no matter what you do, or how well you take care of the chain.
The non-ringed chain, on the other hand, can be kept alive for much longer than the finite lifespan ring chain. It will require that you take good care of the chain, which means keeping it clean and properly lubricated, but you may find that the small amount of care can really keep the chain alive for a surprizing amount of time.
You also want to be careful on the lubricant used. Gooey waxy lubes do a better job of caking up and collecting dirt than they do protecting a chain.
A dry-film chain lubricant is the way to go, as it evaporates leaving dry solids to lubricate, and are not much more than a spritz with a garden hose and a quick wipe to keep clean. The other lubes require a whole regimine of cleaning products and procedures to keep the gunk and cake off the chain.
The o-ring chain has lubricant pre-injected into the area around the pin, and keeps it there with the sealing rings. This lubricant can only last so long before it is depleted and can no longer protect the friction surfaces of the pin and bushing.
Once the pre-injected grease has lost it's ability to protect, or it has escaped from the area because of minor cracks and defects in one or more rings, the chain is on a fast downhill slide that you can do very little to stop. (sprockets will go along for the ride as well)
This all means that a ring chain has a finite lifespan no matter what you do, or how well you take care of the chain.
The non-ringed chain, on the other hand, can be kept alive for much longer than the finite lifespan ring chain. It will require that you take good care of the chain, which means keeping it clean and properly lubricated, but you may find that the small amount of care can really keep the chain alive for a surprizing amount of time.
You also want to be careful on the lubricant used. Gooey waxy lubes do a better job of caking up and collecting dirt than they do protecting a chain.
A dry-film chain lubricant is the way to go, as it evaporates leaving dry solids to lubricate, and are not much more than a spritz with a garden hose and a quick wipe to keep clean. The other lubes require a whole regimine of cleaning products and procedures to keep the gunk and cake off the chain.
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