Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Caveat emptor. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Single speed chains from Wally are still KMC and still $6. The multispeed chains have been Taya for a while, and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Single speed chains from Wally are still KMC and still $6. The multispeed chains have been Taya for a while, and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
Dear Landotter,
Both Taiwanese companies are ISO 9001 certified.
Ta Ya has been in business for 37 years.
KMC appears to have a wider range of industrial chains and claims to make 60% of the world's bicycle chains at 7 factories, four in mainland China (click on bicycle and then on profile).
As for the actual bicycle chains, apart from ease of connection and the notoriously variable wear rate, it's hard to think of an obvious point of comparison for low-end chains, unless they simply fall apart.
I suspect that it is very hard to tell from the bicycle seat what company made the chain.
... and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
I tried one of these on my fixed gear commuter ... lasted about 2 weeks or ~300 miles. SRAM pc-48's last about 2000 miles.
I just measured my single speed's $6 KMC "Z" chain. No measurable wear and most likely 2K or more. The Srams chains certainly are a bit quieter, that's the only superiority in my experience. I actually like the KMC's old fashioned master link better, the Sram quicklink makes my fingers bleed.
KMC appears to have a wider range of industrial chains and claims to make 60% of the world's bicycle chains at 7 factories, four in mainland China (click on bicycle and then on profile).
As for the actual bicycle chains, apart from ease of connection and the notoriously variable wear rate, it's hard to think of an obvious point of comparison for low-end
Is SRAM actually making their own chains in California? I heard that someone made chains in the USA. Is this true?
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Single speed chains from Wally are still KMC and still $6. The multispeed chains have been Taya for a while, and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
Singlespeeds in stock at the local Wally had no brand marking visible when I checked; they looked like they weren't KMC, and they weren't admitting who made them either.
Most of the comments I've heard about Taya chains have been less than complimentary. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
... and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
I tried one of these on my fixed gear commuter ... lasted about 2 weeks or ~300 miles. SRAM pc-48's last about 2000 miles.
I just measured my single speed's $6 KMC "Z" chain. No measurable wear and most likely 2K or more. The Srams chains certainly are a bit quieter, that's the only superiority in my experience. I actually like the KMC's old fashioned master link better, the Sram quicklink makes my fingers bleed.
It can be very easy. First practice on a new chain or a very clean chain. Install and remove the link repeatedly until your fingers know how.
On an installed chain first flush the master link with solvent until all the grit is washed out. The main impediment to removal is grit between the mating surfaces resisting your efforts; the grit always wins. Then add a bit of oil for overkill.
Remove the chain from the chain wheels so that it is slack. Form a 'U' shape at the master link. Grip the plates and slide them apart.
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Single speed chains from Wally are still KMC and still $6. The multispeed chains have been Taya for a while, and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
Singlespeeds in stock at the local Wally had no brand marking visible when I checked; they looked like they weren't KMC, and they weren't admitting who made them either.
Most of the comments I've heard about Taya chains have been less than complimentary. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
Singlespeeds in stock at the local Wally had no brand marking visible when I checked; they looked like they weren't KMC, and they weren't admitting who made them either.
They've been KMC for the past few years. It's one of three things I buy at the Wally Funhouse:
"Werehatrack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Caveat emptor. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
Many items even with the same Part Number will be different. I deal in Computers. If I need a harddrive RIGHT NOW and I don't have a replacement in stock, I might buy a Wally World one. It will look exactly like what I would normally bring including the same PN. But the Dash at the end will be different. It will have a higher failure rate (long term) than the same item I bring in myself at a slightly higher price.
The Chinese and other countries have their stuff and then they have thier export stuff.
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Single speed chains from Wally are still KMC and still $6. The multispeed chains have been Taya for a while, and I have no idea if they're [censored] or not.
Singlespeeds in stock at the local Wally had no brand marking visible when I checked; they looked like they weren't KMC, and they weren't admitting who made them either.
Most of the comments I've heard about Taya chains have been less than complimentary. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
Singlespeeds in stock at the local Wally had no brand marking visible when I checked; they looked like they weren't KMC, and they weren't admitting who made them either.
They've been KMC for the past few years. It's one of three things I buy at the Wally Funhouse:
I suspect that it is very hard to tell from the bicycle seat what company made the chain.
Unless it breaks prematurely, as taya chains have been reported to do too often, and then the important datum is "one whose product I'm not going to buy again."
ISO9001 just mandates that a formal procedure set and communications process exist within the company; it does not mandate that the company's *products* must meet any standard, or that the company's ownership or management actually care about product quality. It's a pretty buzzword, and little more.
"Werehatrack" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Previously, a couple of posters had noted that the chains shipping under the Bell brand to the Wal-Mart stores in their area were actually KMC. Yesterday, at one of the local Wal-Marts here in Houston, I made a point of looking at the 3/32" chains in stock. They were still in Bell packaging, but the chain was from Taya, which is not in the same league as KMC.
Caveat emptor. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
Many items even with the same Part Number will be different. I deal in Computers. If I need a harddrive RIGHT NOW and I don't have a replacement in stock, I might buy a Wally World one. It will look exactly like what I would normally bring including the same PN. But the Dash at the end will be different. It will have a higher failure rate (long term) than the same item I bring in myself at a slightly higher price.
The Chinese and other countries have their stuff and then they have thier export stuff.
The hard drive companies have separate production lines devoted to turning out higher-failure rate models that look just like the better ones, except for "a dash at the end"?
