The chain has always been among the components of a bicycle under greatest stress, and developments in the drive train have increased the demands placed upon it.

Ever increasing numbers of speeds contained within the same compact space (130mm), cassettes and chain rings equipped with ramps and pins to aid shifting, and manufacturer-recommended orientations have made the humble chain, unchanged in its constituent parts, a slimmer, sleeker unit, facing increased demands with less material.

In our second detailed look at the chain (you can read the first installment here), we’ll consider the different joining methods employed by the big three component manufacturers, and the idiosyncrasies of each. Jon Hayes, mechanic at independent bike shop, Ride, is our guide.