Choosing a decent chain

[SilverfoX68]

Hello,

  I've been using DID 520 DZ2 Chain Gold #520DZ2 and Renthal sprockets for a few years but I wanted to adventure outside my safety zone and experience a different type/brand of chain that might be slightly better then the DID that I'm using  open to any suggestion or brands you use or should I just stay with the DID chain?

I would like to stay around $80 for a chain and has to be gold in color as I never used o or x ring either but if the price is right I'll try it.

My beast is a 2002 YZ426F sprockets I'm using right now are 14/49 (Renthal -Aluminum) soon changing them soon to 14/52 (TAG Metals - Aluminum) as I mainly enjoy trail riding.

Brands I'm looking at:

Unibear chain

EK chain

D.I.D. chain

Fire Power chain

Primary Drive chain

SunStar chain

ProTaper chain

Volar chain

Renthal chain

[76xtdrvr]

You'll get as many opinions as replies. I usually look at the rated tensile strength as a guideline, but for the $ have been running Primary Drive chains on all my bikes without issue.

[Turn,TheScrew]

The fact that you get away with aluminum sprockets on a 426 tells me that most any chain will be fine.

Run a steel tooth rear and a sealed chain, it will last you 10 years.

[Ievko82]

I only have a 300xcw but I run primary drive also without an issue. Plus the sprocket and chain kit are cheap enough to replace regularly if needed. 

[Gflo]

Your best bet IMO is to run a Supersprox rear sprocket (lightweight aluminum center with steel teeth), or other similar sprocket, and a gold Primary Drive X-Ring chain.  It will outlast any aluminum sprocket/non o-ring combo by many times over.

[mlatour]

DID VT2 (now called the ERVT) X-ring enduro narrow sealed chain on steel sprockets,

even basic steel Sunstar sprockets makes for a very long lasting setup.

[The Inquisitor]

I recently put on my first DID x-ring. I normally only use SunStar fronts but trying a SunStar Works-Z rear and with how much I'm NOT riding, the drive train might last me 3 years ?

[SilverfoX68]

8 hours ago, Ievko82 said:

I only have a 300xcw but I run primary drive also without an issue. Plus the sprocket and chain kit are cheap enough to replace regularly if 

 What would be the recommendations chain length to fit my sprockets: 14/52 - 520.

Thanks for your feedback..

[SilverfoX68]

5 hours ago, mlatour said:

DID VT2 (now called the ERVT) X-ring enduro narrow sealed chain on steel sprockets,

even basic steel Sunstar sprockets makes for a very long lasting setup.

What would be the recommendations chain length to fit my sprockets: 14/52 - 520.

Thanks for your feedback..

17 hours ago, slbwing said:

Hello,

  I've been using DID 520 DZ2 Chain Gold #520DZ2 and Renthal sprockets for a few years but I wanted to adventure outside my safety zone and experience a different type/brand of chain that might be slightly better then the DID that I'm using  open to any suggestion or brands you use or should I just stay with the DID chain?

I would like to stay around $80 for a chain and has to be gold in color as I never used o or x ring either but if the price is right I'll try it.

My beast is a 2002 YZ426F sprockets I'm using right now are 14/49 (Renthal -Aluminum) soon changing them soon to 14/52 (TAG Metals - Aluminum) as I mainly enjoy trail riding.

Brands I'm looking at:

Unibear chain

EK chain

D.I.D. chain

Fire Power chain

Primary Drive chain

SunStar chain

ProTaper chain

Volar chain

Renthal chain

What would be the recommendations chain length to fit my sprockets: 14/52 - 520.

Thanks for your feedback..

[mlatour]

What are the stock sprocket sizes?  Edit: I've found 14/49-114 links as the stock setup for a '02 426F.

 

Anytime you change the sizing, it's always a guess what chain link count fits ahead of time.

(calculators get you close but no guarantee they are accurate in all applications)

 

Better to buy a length of 120 links and cut down to size after proper measuring,

making sure you still have room for adjustment later on.

 

Edited June 28, 2020 by mlatour

[The Inquisitor]

They normally come in various lengths

Your OEM is 520 14/49 114 links so I would count exactly how many you have then if needed buy say a 120 link chain and cut out links as needed BUT you do not want it too short.

I'll leave cutting a chain and adjusting correctly to someone else

[The Inquisitor]

10 minutes ago, mlatour said:

What are the stock sprocket sizes?  Edit: I've found 14/49-114 links as the stock setup for a '02 426F.

 

Anytime you change the sizing, it's always a guess what chain link count fits ahead of time.

(calculators get you close but no guarantee they are accurate in all applications)

 

Better to buy a length of 120 links and cut down to size after proper measuring,

making sure you still have room for adjustment later on.

 

Ironically looks like we are on the same page at almost exactly the same time?

[bajaklx]

Fire Power X ring - ran my last one for 100 hours with dirt tricks sprockets

[SS109]

RK X-ring with Renthal C/S sprocket and Primary Drive steel rear. I have over 8 years on this set with over 1000+ hours on them. I admit my bike isn't as much of a beast as the 426 but should easily see half the life I've gotten out this setup. I will not run an aluminum sprocket on an off road bike unless it's a hybrid like the Supersprox.

Edited June 29, 2020 by SS109

[8675309]

DID x ring, I don't care what it costs.

 

[EnglertRacing]

13 hours ago, mlatour said:

DID VT2 (now called the ERVT) X-ring enduro narrow sealed chain on steel sprockets,

even basic steel Sunstar sprockets makes for a very long lasting setup.

This

I've also found sunstar aluminum sprockets to last the longest as well.

[AKMoto_]

Take this for what you will - I have a Primary Drive Gold MX chain (non o-ring) with 10 hours on it so far and it’s been fine. I can’t speak for longevity yet but it came loaded with grease from the factory and has a nice fit and finish. Albeit I can’t really say the chain is gonna get that abused, it’s on a 125 haha!

[Drop-Bear]

The one that cost the most is obviously the best ✔️

[mxer95]

On ‎6‎/‎28‎/‎2020 at 11:47 AM, Gflo said:

Your best bet IMO is to run a Supersprox rear sprocket (lightweight aluminum center with steel teeth), or other similar sprocket, and a gold Primary Drive X-Ring chain.  It will outlast any aluminum sprocket/non o-ring combo by many times over.

I second this....

this basically what I have been running since 2008

[txkawboy]

For ur budget, SRT o-ring chain. is an excellent choice.  Better quality than PDrive but abt same dollar.

JT steel sprockets can be found dirt cheap at times.  Not the lightest or prettiest, but last forever as all steel do.