#41 or the 415 chain.... which one is best?

Carl Walichnowski

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Ok I'm almost gathering all of my parts for my 1st build & I'd love some info on which chain I should go with. I have the 2015 Grubee Gt5A SkyHawk that came with the 415 chain & I recently received the 40 tooth sprocket that came with my hub adapter. I've read a lot of info on here about the differences between the 2 chains but not to much of an answer as to which to go with. So help a Noob out, which chain would the pros go with if both chains are already available? Thanks!!
 
I find 41 a totally useless overkill chain size.
If your back sprocket is is mounted right you'll much happier with the smaller 410.
 
415 rated 1600 lbs. #41 2000 lbs. The # 41 won't stretch as much, but it is about 1/32 " wider and causes clearance issues in the clutch arm housing of some engines. I find 415 suits my needs well, and that's what I would go with.
 
Grubee GT5A manual states that the drive sprocket is the right size for 410 (bmx) chain and will accept 415. A Grubee brand wider sprocket that will only accept a 415 chain is available on eBay. Manic Mechanic website states that their sprockets will accept 410 and 415 and #41. Except for the 48T, which only accepts 415 and #41.
Ultimate tensile strength (in the DID brand) is no different between the 410 and 415 chains, except for their track chain which is a bit stronger and it's a 410.


Personally and IMO,
I believe KCvale is correct and strength is NOT an issue on a correctly fitted chain. Using 415 chain on 410 sprockets might be able to "forgive" some mis-alignment but you can always align the sprockets properly and use 410.
Longevity might be an issue.
Many choices of 410 bicycle chain exist to suit all pockets and it is possible to get good deals on that auction site.
I like the nickel plated KMC chains (still need cleaning) and I will be putting the best KMC chains that I can afford onto my build to try to get some good lifetime out of the chain on my salty, sandy bike paths... when it happens. I'm slow at saving up lol.
 
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I think a picture is worth, well you know. So I went and grabbed a hand-full of new sprockets from various suppliers off of my stack, and popped the cover off a new grubee gt5a "which I will be returning to motorized bikes usa". I'll share that with the forum later. Note only the two top sprockets are narrow enough to accept a 410. Most of the suppliers sprockets will not, and while the sprocket for the rear wheel supplied in the grubee kit will accept 410 the sprocket on the engine will not. It is to thick. Check the gear on the engine Carl before you go buying chain. I would love to be able to use bmx 410 and I do on the secondary chains of the jack shaft, but it's not gona work for you on the engine sprocket. Sorry about the repeat pics.. I'm kinda computer stupid so I can't figure out how to get them off.



 
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There is a replacement sprocket of each ie both sizes available, and it is listed as being the Grubee brand. It's pretty cheap on eBay. I have the item No if you want me to get it, or you can search for a "bicycle engine narrow (or wide) sprocket" you can now get whichever you need to suit the rear sprocket or your chain preference. :) I only found it recently and I will have to get the narrow one as my cheap generic engine came with the wide 415 one.

Oops the sprockets I found are from a UK supplier, and of course I can't confirm that they are actually from Grubee, just going by what they said. Anyway:
Narrow Grubee sprocket UK eBay item no 112075188495
Wide Grubee sprocket UK eBay item no 112075190506
 
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I like KMC HD 410 chain myself, I use it in my shifter builds, and older Skyhawk builds as they were 410 based, and some of my shifter builds it's just 7-speed chain and they hold up pretty well, but I still prefer an internal shifting hub and #410.

I liken using #41 chain on an MB to using large ship anchor chain for your row boat anchor chain.
If you are breaking #415 chain it is not because of the chain, the same for needing to use a spring based tensioner, your rear sprocket is not true.
 
I like KMC HD 410 chain myself, I use it in my shifter builds, and older Skyhawk builds as they were 410 based, and some of my shifter builds it's just 7-speed chain and they hold up pretty well, but I still prefer an internal shifting hub and #410.

I liken using #41 chain on an MB to using large ship anchor chain for your row boat anchor chain.
If you are breaking #415 chain it is not because of the chain, the same for needing to use a spring based tensioner, your rear sprocket is not true.
Well I have yet to break any chains, I was basically asking because I have both the 415 & the 41 chain and I'm starting my first install this weekend. I hoped to gather some info on what chain I should go with. I've heard mixed opinions on both chains so I was still undecided.
 
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