I am not a big fan of mixing derailleur chain from different eras. Th e differences in width and stiffness not only present issues with the fr eewheel cogs, but with the derailleurs. They all seem to work best with the chains they were originally designed for.
I don't bother trying to buy expensive Regina chains anymore. My fa vorite are the Renold chains, which are really better than the Reginas anyway with nice chamfers and very hard steel so they last and last. These can often be found for $18 or $20.
It is also a good idea to keep some 1/2 worn chains to try on skipping f reewheels because the old bike shop advice of changing both the chain an d freewheel to solve skipping can get a bit dear these days.
Joe Bender-Zanoni
Great Notch, NJ
> This is my first post here. I initially joined the list at the
> suggestion of another member for bike lore and FS listings. Very g
lad
> that I did so.
>
> About 3 months ago, I installed a new chain (SRAM PC58) on my 1 ye
ar
> off-topic Ciocc Mockba 80 with on-topic SR crank and chainrings
> (53/43) and Regina 13/21 6-sp FW. Since then I have been averaging
> about 2 skips per 12 miles a day, always under moderate-to-heavy l
oad.
> If anything, it's getting worse. The equipment was previously
mounted
> on a Paramount with no problems.
>
> I just measured the old chain and it was not stretched. The teeth
on
> the FW are very strong. I've measured them and am (nearly) satis
fied
> that the FW isn't the problem, which leaves the new chain. The
tension
> is good. I've tried to identify a stiff link, but just don't
see it.
> When I tried flipping the chain it was so bad that I had to flip it
> back five minutes later.
>
> Is there a "breaking in the chain" ritual you can suggest? Is
it
> possible the chain is just bad? Am I overlooking something else?
>
> I'm fairly new to this and am hardly a mechanic, so please forgi
ve me
> if I'm asking naïve questions. I read the archives heavily bef
ore
> writing. My local bike shops haven't been able to help.
>
>
> Ryan Hildebrand
> Costa Mesa, Calif.