#25 or #35 chain and why?

[LI-ghtcycle]

Well, Golden Motor really did a number on my order, month late AND wrong motor but since they gave me the larger one (800W instead of 650W) AND I am going to be getting new sprockets, I'm in the market for narrower chain.

#25 chain is a natural choice because it is so narrow, (I have VERY little space to work with, but would love to have an adapter I can bolt on multiple size sprockets) but I hear a lot of people using #35 chain too.

I'm curious which is easier to get locally? Say I am in town somewhere in the US, and I want to buy a sprocket, any chance that one will be easier to get than the other? I know that a few shops would have #25 stuff for electric scooters near me, but not sure that has any bearing on what an average town would have.

The other consideration is size, #25 is very narrow, and the width between the pedal sprocket and the drive sprocket is VERY narrow, and especially if I am going to have a bolt on adapter, even 1/8 inch is going to make a big difference.

Opinions? Thanks! 8)

 

[Thud]

ok Light, this thread has been unanswerd long enough.
regarding chain sizes & applications...these are just my preferances

Bike chain: fine for pedaling...I wear it out pretty quickly powering it with ellectrics...there are better grades than the budget BMX stuff i use but i have options.

#25 is great for small size & semi robust applications such as primary reduction. Too light weight for final drive on a bicycle (my bicycles anyway)
the only limitations are really large rear sprockets & adapting them to things.

#35 chain is my favorite for 2 reasons..
1st) its common (you can get chain & masterlinks & a variety of sprockets at any Tractor supply store/lawn & garden dealer & master links at any menards & ace hardware.
2nd) Its increadbly afordable & easy to adapt the .375" pitch gives you a finer range of adjustment also to gearing. You can also get #35 racing chain in superb alloys that will last a long,long time.

I have no issue making #35 fit serial drive on the right side..even with 2.5"w tires.

#219 chain.
its a great chain developed by the Kart racing scene. it is .306 pitch so even finer adjust ments in gearing are available...
One of the big advantages is the super quiet "Extron" tm composit sprockets avilable for it (inexpensive & standard 5.25" bcp)
the other side of the coin is the limited selection of drive sprockets...expensive if your adapting a kart cdrive cog....or limited to .75 shaft size & 12t
You have to pay the man for 219 chain as there are no cheap sources. there are no "masterlinks" for 219 chain so you'll need a chainbreaker to work with it.

hope that helps.

 

[LI-ghtcycle]

ok Light, this thread has been unanswerd long enough.
regarding chain sizes & applications...these are just my preferances

Bike chain: fine for pedaling...I wear it out pretty quickly powering it with ellectrics...there are better grades than the budget BMX stuff i use but i have options.

#25 is great for small size & semi robust applications such as primary reduction. Too light weight for final drive on a bicycle (my bicycles anyway)
the only limitations are really large rear sprockets & adapting them to things.

#35 chain is my favorite for 2 reasons..
1st) its common (you can get chain & masterlinks & a variety of sprockets at any Tractor supply store/lawn & garden dealer & master links at any menards & ace hardware.
2nd) Its increadbly afordable & easy to adapt the .375" pitch gives you a finer range of adjustment also to gearing. You can also get #35 racing chain in superb alloys that will last a long,long time.

I have no issue making #35 fit serial drive on the right side..even with 2.5"w tires.

#219 chain.
its a great chain developed by the Kart racing scene. it is .306 pitch so even finer adjust ments in gearing are available...
One of the big advantages is the super quiet "Extron" tm composit sprockets avilable for it (inexpensive & standard 5.25" bcp)
the other side of the coin is the limited selection of drive sprockets...expensive if your adapting a kart cdrive cog....or limited to .75 shaft size & 12t
You have to pay the man for 219 chain as there are no cheap sources. there are no "masterlinks" for 219 chain so you'll need a chainbreaker to work with it.

hope that helps.

Thanks so much Thud!

#35 sounds like the perfect chain for me, I love the idea of being able to buy chain at lawn and garden centers, and I am guessing the better hardware stores will have it as well! 8)

 

[drewjet]

There is one cheap option for 219 chain ebay $6.50
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/?cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&item=370237253829&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

 

[dumbluck]

Thud is dead on right with this

 

[Thud]

There is one cheap option for 219 chain ebay $6.50

+$11.25 shipping & you will need 2 of those packadges for a typical final drive...
10' of #35 at tractor supply is $15.99 + tax

 

[liveforphysics]

Most #35 chain is like garbage that you would find on a $79 Chinese scooter or something. A few good types exist though, but you pay for it.

Virtually all #219 chain is premium stuff, and kicks ass. It's designed for stupid small sprockets and 20,000rpm operation. #35 chain is designed for coupling a log-splitter pump or various other simple low-demand operations.

 

[Arlo1]

Great thread!