Are O Ring Chains Better

What exactly is the structure of an oil seal chain?

To put it simply, an O-type oil-sealed chain is a circular rubber sealing ring inserted at the connection between the inner and outer chain plates of each section.

This ring is no decoration. Its top priority is to lock the lubricating grease injected at the factory between the pin and the bushing to prevent them from running out; at the same time, it also acts like a bodyguard, blocking water, sand or dust from outside and preventing these dirty things from getting in and wearing out the parts. In contrast, ordinary chains (non-oil-sealed chains) do not have this layer of protection. The lubrication there of the pin depends entirely on the little chain oil we usually spray on the outside to slowly seep in.

What changes has this extra circle brought?

With the addition of sealing rings, the most intuitive changes are “whether the oil can be retained” and “whether the dirt can be blocked”.

Because it has its own internal “oil depot” and is protected, whether it is catching heavy rain, walking on muddy roads, or running long distances for a long time, the O-type oil seal chain can ensure that key parts are not short of oil. Ordinary chains are more “delicate”. Whether they can turn smoothly depends entirely on whether you take good care of them.

However, there is no such thing as a free lunch. The sealing ring is tightly attached to the chain plate, and rotating it will definitely generate additional frictional resistance. Therefore, a new chain that has just been unboxed, a regular chain, usually spins lighter than an oil-sealed chain. In addition to parts such as sealing rings and extended pins, oil seal chains are often a little wider and heavier than ordinary ones. Although the gap is narrowing now with ultra-thin seals and lightweight technology, the physical properties remain. Another reminder: the oil seal structure is durable and worry-free. As for whether the chain is tensile or not and how much displacement it can withstand, that is a matter of material strength and the parameters must be considered separately.

When should I choose an O-type oil seal chain?

If your car is mainly used for commuting, motorcycle trips, or often has to be tossed around in the wind, rain, mud, and water, then listen to me, change the oil seal chain. It has stable internal lubrication and does not require you to carry the oil bottle to serve it every now and then. It is the first choice for those who pursue worry-free and long-lasting life.

When does a regular chain smell better?

If your car is looking for extreme lightweighting, or the kind of racing car that races against time for zero seconds, and you are very diligent and willing to clean and lubricate the chain frequently, then a regular chain is indeed more suitable. It has a simple structure and low resistance. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not that just because a regular chain has low resistance will necessarily make you run faster at any time. Once the lack of maintenance causes wear and tear, that advantage will be quickly exhausted.

Don’t stray: Oil seals are not “maintenance-free”

Many people have a misconception that if there is oil in the oil seal chain, they don’t need to worry about it. That’s completely wrong!

The sealing ring locks in the grease inside the pin, but the contact surfaces of the rollers and bushings, the bite of the chain and the tooth disc, and the exposed metal parts still need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly. The purpose of oiling the oil seal chain is to reduce friction and heat when the dental disc bites, and to protect the rubber ring from drying out and cracking and prevent metal rust.

Be extra careful when cleaning: never spray gasoline, chemical cleaner, brake cleaner or high-pressure water gun at the same time! These things can ruin the rubber ring, causing it to deform, become brittle, or even become useless. Once the seal cracks or falls off and the oil inside leaks out, no amount of chain oil sprayed outside can save it. At that time, you can only replace it according to the wear standard.

There is no absolute good or bad, only whether it is appropriate or not

Going around in circles, back to the question: Are O-seal chains really better?

If we look at just the resistance to manufacturing and the degree of laziness, it does have an overwhelming advantage. But the rotational resistance, increased width, and weight it brings are also the price you have to pay.

The most important point: a longer oil seal chain life is a prerequisite ——it must be model matched, installed correctly, and maintained according to the rules.

So, when choosing a chain, don’t worry about who is the higher grade. First ask yourself: Where does my car usually run? Do I like to do manual maintenance? Do you want steady happiness, or ultimate lightness? After you have figured out these points, you will naturally know which one to choose.