Wippermann Chain Test Video

[Begbucks]

Wippermann still in business? Back in my day (early 90's) I wished for your coveted Titanium ($300) chain lol

[at220vanier]

Thank you for taking the time to clearly explain and support your test method and conclusion. I now understand better how you arrive to that conclusion and concur. You made a very good argument and I'll be better off with this information, with a new first choice in chains for my next change...

Regards.

[at220vanier]

If the chain barely wears out, wouldn't you expect that more wear is imparted on the cogs and rings instead proportionally? I would be curious to see tests showing how a stronger chain could wear the cogs (sprockets or cassettes) quicker.

But thanks for this well explained test. In itself, it shows that these chains are sturdier.

[CantitoeRoad]

@at220vanier

Cogs and chain rings are worn by worn chains. If you replace your chain before it’s worn out, you’ll never (ok, almost never) have to replace your drive train. The reason for this is that a worn chain is longer than a new chain so, instead of the driving load being evenly distributed across all the teeth of the cog as it is with a new chain, a disproportionate amount of the load is borne by the leading teeth. The exact same situation also occurs at the chain ring.

[CantitoeRoad]

@at220vanier

With a worn chain, even when there is pressure on the pedals, you can lift the chain off the chain ring at the 3 o’clock position. This is because there is so much slop in a worn chain that only the teeth at the 12 o’clock position are under tension. Instead of the load being evenly distributed across 26 teeth (assuming you’re using a 52-tooth chain ring), the load is focused on the 4 or five teeth at 12 o’clock. The more worn the chain, the worse it becomes.

[CantitoeRoad]

@at220vanier

When it’s new, a cheap chain isn’t going to wear a drive train any more or less quickly than a high quality chain. The difference is that cheap chains will wear up to three times more quickly than Wippermann, so you get into the “danger zone” much sooner. A cheap chain isn’t so cheap if you have to replace it three times as often as a good one.

[shapirus]

Were any tests like this conducted for some 9-speed chains?

[CantitoeRoad]

@shapirus Not yet.

[CantitoeRoad]

@turbosupplier

Wippermann has also commissioned Connex shifting performance tests from RWTH Aachen University in Germany, which show imperceptible millisecond shifting speeds. All the testing procedures and data are on our Connex page.

We will pass along your sound testing suggestion to Wippermann.

Also consider process and materials. If you would like to talk more about about Connex chain by Wippermann, give us a call 800.422.2104 and speak with John.

[mekore]

@CantitoeRoad why not all the chain start from zero, in regards to the y axis(increase in mm)

[CantitoeRoad]

@mekore We can't start from zero because we are measuring the length of the chain. If the manufacturer manufactres a chain that is longer than the reference point, we can't shrink the chain. We have to start from whatever length the chain is out of the box.

[mekore]

@CantitoeRoad To interpret chain wear, every chain should start from zero in chain stretch, even though the initial length varied, because what we wanted to know is the chain wear, not the actual length. Can you post the graphic again with every chain start from zero?

[CantitoeRoad]

@mekore No, you really want to measure chain stretch, not wear (although one is directly related to the other). Once a chain approachs 1% of the DIN reference length, it begins to wear the leading tooth more than the others because the chain behind becomes slack on the following teeth and all the force is concentrated on the leading tooth. The question is which chain, starting from whatever length it is out of the box, wears the longest before it reaches 1% of DIN reference length.

[CantitoeRoad]

@mekore Since youtube doesn't allow links in the comments you can visit our CantitoeRoad(dot)com site and search for the blog post on "Chain Stretch" or go to this link on bit.ly /jnq5X4

[pcfxer]

Should be completed by an independent lab

[CantitoeRoad]

@pcfxer

Wippermann commissioned the recently completed tests at RWTH Aachen University in Germany. Two prominent German newspapers, "Handelsblatt" and "Wirtschaftswoche", currently rank RWTH Aachen first in Germany in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.

[pcfxer]

@CantitoeRoad Ahh, there we go. I'm good, just making sure ;).

[CantitoeRoad]

@pcfxer

Thank you for asking. That was a great point that wasn't covered in the video very well.

[CantitoeRoad]

New 10 speed bicycle chain wear testing data is now available. In addition, we have breaking load test data, and shifting performance testing data available.

[maxslippy]

Thanks so much for doing what looks like a real-world type of test. I look forward to seeing if any of the other brands outlast the Wippermann!

[turbosupplier]

wear is not the only thing to look for in a chain, quiet running smooth shifting and longevity ,price and weight are all going to come in to play. I am pretty sure Campy has the quietest chain from just an ear test but this would have to be verified. Also I know campy shifts buttery smooth when everything is adjusted right so untill you can prove that your chain is better all around and comes in at the right weight then i will stick with my campy record chain.

[CantitoeRoad]

@turbosupplier Agreed, chain wear isn't the only criterion. Noise is very much a function of lubricant (Chain-L will silence any chain). Campy chains wear very well, but connex chains wear slightly better and shift as well as Campy on Campy systems. Connex also has a very convenient multi-use connector link (Connex link) that can be installed and removed by hand. Campy makes a great chain. So does Connex. But the Connex link is unique to Wippermann.