Subject: Re: Half links Posted by: Randy Shoquist on December 26, 2001 at 10:54:47: In Reply to: Half links posted by Dan Shuman on December 23, 2001 at 09:58:57:

Message: >I have a customer that insists that there is something called a half link. It is a chain link that is half the length of a typical link. I have never seen or heard of this. Supposedly it is for track bikes when you cant get the tension right on the chain. Is this the same as an offset link? Does anyone know where I can order these from? Do they really make something like this? Yes, your customer is right. It is a single link (1/2" long) which joins with an inner link on one end and an outer link on the other. Each side plate has a kink or offset, hence its other name, as you suspect, offset link. It's the more correct name; a "half link" would be 1/4" long, I'm sure the term "half link" comes from the fact that it allows half the usual adjustment to chain length. I have run into one or two track bikes that had short stay ends and chainstay length such that desirable sprocket combinations couldn't be accomodated with normal chains. I've seen them for only single speed chain (1/2 x 1/8"). Sorry, I don't know where to get them, if you don't see it in your QBP catalog I don't know where to look next. I'll call a couple of my bike shop buddies and add to this thread if I come up with something. P.S. I once dealt with a tandem that had a bottom tube length such that the timing chain wouldn't fit well with even numbered chainwheels. I got a pair of 35's but an offset link would have been another (and cheaper) way to deal with the problem.