KMC Z50 Bicycle Chain (7-Speed, 1/2 x 3/32-Inch, 116L, Dark Silver/Brown)

by KMC

Product Features

• The Chain Color is Dark Silver/Brown
• Chain Compatibility measures 3/32-Inch
• Chain Length measures 116
• Chain width is 7.3 millimeter and weight is 369g

Product Description

KMC 5, 6, 7-Speed Chains.

• Designed without bushings; IG and HG compatible

Item Specifications
Color	Brown/Silver
Weight	369g
Width	7.3mm
Links	116links
Number of Speeds	3/32
Chain Compatibility	3/32"
Defined Color	Brown

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.8 x 3.2 x 0.8 inches ; 12.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001CN6QAC
• Item model number: Z50X116L BLACK
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,914 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #33 in Sports & Outdoors > Bikes & Accessories > Components & Parts > Chains

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Chain stretch after 3 months, May 29, 2009

By 

S. Frazier "Lean SME" (Maple Grove, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: KMC Z50 Bicycle Chain (7-Speed, 1/2 x 3/32-Inch, 116L, Dark Silver/Brown) (Sports)

I installed this chain on my Trek 820 mountainbike on Feb 4 (2009); on May 28, I put my bike in the shop for occasional chain-skipping, especially on the 1st and 2nd chainrings. The shop expert told me the chain was stretched and couldn't believe it was only in use for a few months. Since I have other bikes, I logged less than 500 miles on this chain. Even though the price was very low, I don't think the chain is worth buying, given its short lifetime. Next time I'll spend $15-$20 and get a better quality chain; a stretched chain can quickly damage your chainrings - so think twice before buying the least expensive chain.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent chain for 6 or 7 rear sprocket bikes., January 16, 2011

By 

Marcus - See all my reviews

This review is from: KMC Z50 Bicycle Chain (7-Speed, 1/2 x 3/32-Inch, 116L, Dark Silver/Brown) (Sports)

The KMC Z50 is a fair-quality, 7.3mm wide chain for use on bikes that use six- or seven-sprocket cassettes or freewheels. According to the KMC specifications, the Z50 chain is too wide to work on eight sprockets or more. Also this chain has 116 links which should be long enough for most chainstay lengths and front\rear sprocket combinations on older bikes.

This is not a premium chain, but I don't believe KMC or SRAM make any other 7.3mm wide, 116 link chains for six or seven sprockets. (I am not familiar with the possible Shimano options for this, and their website is not helpful.)

So if you are doing hard riding with many shifts under load, you should check this Z50 chain after a while for stretch, to avoid sprocket and chainring wear. But since this chain is inexpensive, you can obviously buy spares to have on hand.

There are 7.1mm width chains by KMC and SRAM (designed for seven or eight sprockets) that may be be better quality, and these may also work on six sprockets. However, some of these narrower chains have 114 links or less. They may be an inch (2 links) too short for the 116 link chain length needed for a touring bike or old mountain bike with a long chainstay length (greater than 17.5") and a large top chainring and rear sprocket. To check this, you can count the number of links on your current chain. Or use one of the on-line bike chain length calculators that will tell you the needed chain length based on your chainstay length and the size of your largest front chainring and rear sproket.

Unlike the SRAM chains, the Z50 does not come with a master link. You should buy the correct size KMC brand "Missing Link" (master link) for a 7.3mm chain width. These links come in different widths for the various KMC chain widths. The Park brand master link pliers make disassembling the master link easier than doing it by hand, especially if the chain is dirty.

Using a master link to install or remove this chain is the appropriate way of installing and removing the chain rather than just using a screw-type chain tool to push a rivet in or out. Even though this chain has thicker side plates than the narrow chains made for more sprockets, pushing a rivet in and out still weakens the chain somewhat at this point. The master link also makes chain removal for cleaning easier.

KMC Z50 chain specifications:
grey color; weight 369g; 116 links; 7.3mm wide; straight side plates; for 18-21 speed bikes

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Shimano probably better..., November 17, 2010

By 

"Road Warrior" Steve (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: KMC Z50 Bicycle Chain (7-Speed, 1/2 x 3/32-Inch, 116L, Dark Silver/Brown) (Sports)

I have a 2001 K2 Zed 4.0 Mountain bike & the specs list this as the factory chain but I bought mine used in 2004 & it had a SHIMANO CN-HG93 ULTEGRA XT 9 SPEED chain on it when I bought it. I've probably put about 3000 miles on it myself & the the chain still works excellent... I just ordered the Shimano chain because my current chain seems to be stretched so so I'll see how it works & give another update in a few (weeks/miles/; etc.)..... Later.... (Never Heard of KMC before?...) Hmmmm...