Chain checking v's running stuff into a black mess

Bike Forum

Chain checking v's running stuff into a black mess

18 posts & 13 voices | Started 4 months ago by scratch | Latest reply from anotherdeadhero

Tags:

No tags yet.

scratch - Member

Old classic, historically I've tended to run my commute drivetrains into the ground, tends to be a yearly average of 6000 miles and I'll usually get through a cheap cassette, chain and chainring yearly.

When replacing parts last night the LBS (probably rightly) was trying to convince me to check chain wear more often and change chains roughly around every 2000 miles, and therefore increase the life of cassette and chainring.

Does anyone else agree with this heresy? Surely running things into a black gunk covered mess is the way forward?

What chain checker?

Posted 4 months ago #
jonke - Member

I'm definitely in the skeptical camp although i do check chain wear and replace chain religiously. On 3rd change of chain I've sometimes had to change the cassette anyway so not convinced that overall it saved me any money.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ecky-Thump - Member

Or tag-team a couple of chains to prolong the life of the remaining bits of the drivetrain.
Start with two chains; swap after a few weeks; hang 'em side by side and fit whichever is shortest; repeat.
Eventualy you'll have the same worn out mess but it will take twice as long to get there and cost you one cassette and chainring for every two (or three if you like) chains...and you won't need a chain checker.

Posted 4 months ago #
Taff - Member

I think you can only change the chain once before needing to change the rear cassette. I've not long replaced my chain but it was just under advised limit for changing a chain.

Posted 4 months ago #
hamishthecat - Member

I've changed chain religiously at or before .75 wear and have made a cassette and rings last over 3 years on my trail bike - it only gets used once or twice a week at the most though so nothing like your mileage.

Posted 4 months ago #
scratch - Member

Thanks all, wasn't sure it was as clear cut as he said, anyone care to recommend a cheap chain checker? Or distance between links, I've got some verniers on my desk, actually, Sheldon.....

Posted 4 months ago #
cheshirecat - Member

I use this one. Change chain at 0.75% worn, and you may get away with not changing cassette (for a couple of times at least).

Chain Wear Checker

Edit: Has two sides, if you can't get the 0.75% side into the chain, then all is OK. If you can get the 0.75% side in, change the chain. If you can get the 1% side in, then probably new chain and cassette time.

Edit #2: This one looks like it has 0.5% and 0.75% rather than 0.75% and 1% like mine has. Looks similar though.

Posted 4 months ago #
was - Member

Or tag-team a couple of chains to prolong the life of the remaining bits of the drivetrain.
Start with two chains; swap after a few weeks; hang 'em side by side and fit whichever is shortest; repeat.
Eventualy you'll have the same worn out mess but it will take twice as long to get there and cost you one cassette and chainring for every two (or three if you like) chains...and you won't need a chain checker.

This, but consider replacing both chains when they reach 1/16" beyond 12" over 12 links, they should reach that point together. No device needed except a steel tape measure.

When you remove a chain put it in a jar of paraffin or degreaser, then when it comes out it will be clean!

Buy steel chainrings.

Then again, cheap shimano cassettes aren't that expensive so if you don't like all this faff continue as you are.....

Posted 4 months ago #
DaveRambo - Member

I never used to check my chain and just replaced the lot when it needed doing. It was annual-ish for me as well and ended up not being that cheap.

The past few years though I have used a park tools chain checker and changed chains at 0.75 wear. I'm on the same cassette as it's lasted and doesn't need changing yet.

I guess if you run cheap bits it can make sense to change the lot. I don't (XT) and it's far far cheaper and easier to change the chain when it needs doing - I've also been buying multiple chains from CRC etc when they are on offer to make it cheaper.

Posted 4 months ago #
martymac - Member

i always make sure my chain is properly lubed, never run it dry, always make sure its clean.
but i run it into the gound and replace the whole lot when they wear out.
never managed to get more than about 1500 miles out of one tho.
i think price wise theres not much difference by the time youve replaced 3 chains you are probably close to the price of a ring and cheap cassette anyway.
i could be wrong of course.

edit; i use cheap bits.

Posted 4 months ago #
scratch - Member

Thanks all! I pretty much use the cheapest stuff I can find for the commute, chain, cassette and new middle came to £46
'Spose if I was racing a full season of XC on XTR/XO or something the chain checker might be the way to go.

I'll keep an eye on wear over the next few months, I'd be interested to see if running two chains makes much difference.

Posted 4 months ago #
njee20 - Member

I don't (XT) and it's far far cheaper and easier to change the chain when it needs doing

I disagree. Cost of 1 XT cassette = 2 chains, ish depending on what you use. I find chains reach 0.75 after about 2-3 months, so I'd go through 4 chains in a year. Or... I could run the whole thing into the ground and change annually.

I've done both over the years. Changed chains a couple of times this year, and used 2 different wheels so spread the wear. With XTR and XX cassettes I think it's worth it, anything less I'd probably not bother, you just spend more in chains than you would in cassettes and rings!

Posted 4 months ago #
Splodge - Member

How long, if at all, does a new chain take to bed in?
I changed my chain but could not get it to run in the big casset ring without it jumping/clicking under pressure.
The old one had only done maybe 400 miles but broke and twisted a couple of links so as I had a spare I put it on - since removed and old one with a couple of links changed now back on and running smooth again.
Did I give up on the new one too early (5 miles)?

Posted 4 months ago #
martymac - Member

if a brand new chain is jumping under pressure then either the cassette or chainring(s) are worn and will probably need replaced.
have a look at all the sprockets on the cassette, its likely that 3 or 4 of them will have differently shaped teeth, they may look sharp (like a ninja star.
ditto the chainrings, the ring you use most probably wont look the same as the rest.

Posted 4 months ago #
anotherdeadhero - Member

I tend to try and catch my cassette on my commuter before its worn too much to accept a 2nd chain. Then continue running the whole lot into the ground. I don't tend to worry about it unduly though

The nicer bikes get looked after properly.

Posted 4 months ago #
njee20 - Member

Ah the commuter/winter bike gets utterly utterly destroyed! The first chain and cassette did 2 years, I eventually changed it as I was so paranoid the chain would snap as I accelerated away from some traffic lights.

Posted 4 months ago #
phiiiiil - Member

My cross bike is still on its original drivetrain after 2 1/2 years and 5,000 miles of all weather commuting, half of which is off-road; the inner chainring could kill at twenty paces and it reached the point where it's only all the crud in the chain keeping it stiff enough to not skip so I can't clean it several months ago. Not that I cleaned it very much anyway; I used to whizz it through a chain cleaner when I got round to it which wasn't very often. It got lubed every few days though, on the plus side.

It has started to skip on the large chainring, so I'm going to have to change it soon but I think it's earned it.

Running stuff into the ground (and then continuing to use it) FTW!

Posted 4 months ago #
anotherdeadhero - Member

I once ran a chain so long the rollers wore off the pins between the inner plates. Didn't last (much) longer. Bike shop staff were amused.

Posted 4 months ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

Singletrack Mountain Bike Magazine

Bike Forum

Chain checking v's running stuff into a black mess

Reply

Don't miss…

Singletrack

Website & Forums

Exits