Chain Selection, Removing Chain Rust

BMI vs. descending speed

Dear Lennard,
Thank you for researching my question about tire beads stretching.

Here's a tip for you: if you ever have a rusty chain again, try a product called Evapo-Rust. Someone asked me to rehab a rusty, seized-up Sturmey-Archer three speed hub. I soaked it in a bucket of Evapo-rust for about a week, then it was easy-breezy to fix!

Evapo-Rust is also environmentally friendly. It's water-based, biodegradable, non-toxic, and has no harmful acids or VOCs. It used to be manufactured in NW Arkansas but they sold a few years ago to the CRC chemical company. It's also reusable, not use-once-and-throw-away.

https://www.evapo-rust.com/

Carl

Dear Carl,

Thanks! That’s great to know about!

― Lennard

Dear Lennard,

I’ve been away from cycling seriously for 20 years. I used to be a (relatively?) accomplished amateur cyclist in my younger years, but for many reasons I’ve been away from the sport.

I have recently started trying to build a base with zone 2 rides on my son’s hardtail MTB. Being an old roadie I decided to find an older bike to get back into road cycling. Found a beautiful late 80s Concorde Colombo (in my size! 61cm) with full Shimano 600 Ultegra groupset which needs a little TLC. I think the chainrings and cogs are okay (I've attached photos in case you can glean any info from that), but I'll definitely need a new chain.

Planning to do the full cleaning and waxing of the new chain as advised by you. But what chain? [Shimano] 600 is 7-speed of course. Some chains come with master links. Some don't. I don't know where to start. Perusing forums (fora?) I came across this suggestion:

Any 8 speed chain will work but the older ones don't bevel the links. Newer 8 speed chains have the inside of the links beveled so they shift better and cause less sprocket wear. Like a KMC x8.
Does this make sense?
As an aside, I used to read your columns for years back in the day and I'm so pleased to see you are still at it.

John

Dear John,

Cool paint scheme on your vintage Concorde Colombo!

Your chainrings and cassette look to be in remarkably good shape. The proof will be in the pudding when you install a new chain; if it skips on the cassette, that will need to be replaced.

First of all, I think a master link is a must when waxing chains, since you have to remove the chain each time you immerse it in molten wax. You can buy master links in various widths for any chain, so even if the chain doesn't come with one, you can use an aftermarket one.

Regarding which chain to get: