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Does New Chainring Automatically Mean New Chain?

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As above really. Does a new chainring (Shimano Ultegra for a road bike) automatically trigger a requirement for a new chain?

Chain has done some miles but not loads. Original drive-side crank has to go back to Shimano as part of the recall (and does actually look and sound like it might fall apart).

Google says "yes" but I'm not sure if that advice is aimed at people who have ridden commuter and hack/pub bikes into oblivion rather than molly-coddled carbon race bikes that have generally kept with loving care (or if that makes any difference).


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 3:33 pm
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Suck it and see? If it's terrible then get a new chain. IME chainrings are a bit more forgiving of worn chains, but I guess it comes down the the mileage on the chain in the end.


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 3:39 pm
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If the ring is worn to the point of requiring replacement, the chain will be shagged regardless of how it looks and there's a fair chance the cassette is also.


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 3:40 pm
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Measure it? Also as above, if it’s noisy then change it as a worn chain will wreck your cassette too meaning you need both a new chain and a new cassette…


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 3:43 pm
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I have changed rings without new chain, but it was a new build, and swapped out Ultegra rings for absolute black - no probs, but only a couple of hundred-ish on chain and cassette.

I guess i should think about getting those cranks checked too


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 5:38 pm
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I’d say it doesn’t, but an Ultegra ring is around 2-4times the price of a new chain, so I probably would do it at the same time.  Possibly the jockey wheels too.


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 6:07 pm
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Will it be possible to keep the old rings, and swap them on to the new chainset?


 
Posted : 06/10/2023 6:20 pm