[Closed] Running more than one chain - but how many?

It doesn't really mater how many does it? Use 2 chains and they will wear quicker than 22 chains.

My understanding was that chains always wear out faster than cassettes and chainrings. If you replace a chain you often get issues with running a new chain with part worn bits. By running several chains and changing them over regularly you dont get that issue.

I want to know if I should run 2 or 3 chains.

a standard approach is to have 3 chains and swop them fairly regularly (once a month?) to avoid too much wear to either the chain or cogs. have a look on captainbike .com ( I seem to remember) for articles re reducing transmission wear....or was it ctc technical section

Its not really the additional chains that decreases the wear rate, its the additional opportunity to properly clean and relube that those chains give.

I run three, and change them every ride in the winter and every two/three rides in the summer. I never re-lube a dirty chain because I don't think the 'slurry' approach is particularly beneficial for wear rates.

I could run two and get the same effect, but three lets me be a bit lazy with when I actually clean them.

What do you use to clean them SO? I found petrol was about the best for throughly degreasing but I cant seem to get rid of the grit no matter how many times I put them through a washing.

But my point was that if you run, for example, 20 chains, and change them every ride would the drivetrain ever wear out.

I use a bath of neat finishline ecotech2. I then blast out the residue with a garden hose (including grit), a wee dab of wd40 to purge the water, and an oil bath. After much buggering about with lubes I bought a joblot of finishline (3.8litres) and split it 50/50 with a mate.

I basically have three jars that I use to recycle all my fluids. Chain goes in, chain comes out. I usually leave them to soak in the degreaser overnight (hence three chains), by the other two only need a quick dip.

Of course they'd wear out. All that cleaning and lubing does is extend the interval at which it happens.

ultrasonic parts cleaner is what you need to clean em i reckon (not tried it btw) but they can be picked up for circa £30

I'm sure there would be some magical number of chains whereby the cassette and chainrings would wear out at the same rate as the chains. Any more than this number would mean the chains were actually being worn out by the knackered cassette/rings and not be as effective a proposition.

I'd got for three chains and rotate/clean/lube as appropriate.

I think the hassle vs benefit for this one means leaving the same chain on my bike until it starts skipping.

I have neither the pottering time nor space to do all that swapping cleaning and lubing.

whereas I do. Once you've got your system in place its doesn't take very long to do the work.

47 is the optimal number of chains, don't ask me how I know this 'cos I just made it up.

I thought about running two chains on my fixie which was why i clicked this post .
However i'm thinking of running them at the same time.