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Hi All,
Just got my new Park Tools chain checker, only to reveal my chain is worn!
So, it's a new chain.
But.....do you always need to replace the cassesste at the same time?
How do you know when the cassestte is worn?
It seems to be rotating freely, no play, so am wondering if it is worn, needing replacement, or silly not to replace if it's new chain time.
any ideas?
cheers
Q
Depends how worn the chain is. When you put a new chain on, if the cassette is worn, the chain will skip and generally not behave. Also you should think about your chainrings and jockey wheels too.
I have just replaced the chain on my bike but not the cassette, however on the first ride the chain started skipping over small bumps so i decided to change the cassette too. If you look closely at each sprocket, you can see the teeth getting worn (blunt) or little dents where the chain has been slipping. Good idea to change the chain every now and then especially if it has been constantly exposed to the recent wet weather because when it does snap you'll get a nasty bollocks-to-top tube encounter ๐
There's no need to go changing everything just for the hell of it.
Try the new chain on the old cassette under power in most of the sprockets, if it's business as usual it's fine, if it skips then it's shot and could do with replacing. very unusual to wear chainrings at the same time though. However if the chain was very worn and continued to be used then it could have prematurely ended the life of the rings, cassette and sometimes jockey wheels.
Usually the teeth get sharper as they wear rather than more blunt, also hooked (backwards) if rings really fubared.
If the chain is properly worn using the checker, it'll probably have worn cassette and rings as well. Buy new chain, if it skips, swap back to the old chain and ride the drivetrain into the ground until it starts chainsucking. Then renew everything, and keep a closer eye on the chain wear so you can replace it at .75, before it wears out the cassette and rings ๐
I always run 2 or 3 chains on the same bike swapping them every 2 weeks or so, stops the expensive parts like the cassette and chainrings wearing so much.
Thanks for the input.
The checker's giving .75, so hopefully not too bad. I have had some chainsuck, so tomorrow will take off the chainset and check for burrs, and goe the cassette a good looking over
thanks all
Q
at .75 you'll be fine. if it falls straight off the end on the gauge then you'll start having to worry.
Mornin' all.
Thanks Cap'n, that was a really good video, the mist lifts!
many thanks.
Right - off to sort it all out and give it all a good look-over
cheers
Q
I replaced the front-middle ring and the chain.
After my 2hr training ride having to do pretty much the whole thing in the outer ring due the chain not getting into the gears on the rear cassette propely, I changed the cassette and everything works a treat now.
Lesson learnt.
That's a good web resource too - thanks.