A divisive and arguably thoroughly boring subject, but I'm sold for the most part.
Today having covered around 380 miles since the last treatment, the 11sp KMC chain on the CdF was a little overdue another dunk in the pan.
I usually check the chain for elongation before every 2-3 waxings; my Shimano go / no go tool unequivocally saying "no" so far. Today out of interest I tried to get a more precise idea of wear with a steel tape measure over the majority of the chain's length. I struggled to do this with it hung up so laid it out on the floor; pulling it from one end to try and ensure that it was as elongated as possible and lining it up against the join in our laminate flooring to make sure it was as straight as it could be.
To avoid using the very end of the tape for best accuracy I started 12" in; aiming for the middle of the first pin:
... and measured to the final rivet at the other end of the chain:
Over 111 links that's 55.5" measured so no descernible chain elongation whatsoever
Yes, I checked at foot intervals and I'm not one link out over the chain's whole length. For comparison over this number of links 0.5% elongation would account for an extra 0.275" of length or about 0.6 of a link pitch... which clearly isn't there.
Of course this isn't a perfect test and there are a number of reasons why the length might be under-represented - slack in the chain, measurement inaccuracy in the tape, other things I've not accounted for.. However, on the face of it I certainly can't complain after the 2.2k mostly dry if sometimes dusty miles the bike's covered so far and I'm certainly intrigued to see how many more I can get out of it
A few more bonus photos for the zero people on here who are interested in this process..
Quick link - I'm not going to lie, a little bit of roughness / scoring can be felt on the inside bearing faces of the pins. This link has been on and off maybe 10 times, and while feeling a bit less resistive to snapping in and out of place still seem secure enough. Ideally I'd prefer a Wippermann alternative as they're supposedly infinitely reusible; but also bloody expensive.
Recycled spoke chain hanger - still well chuffed with this:
In action pre-waxing:
Cassette; which hasn't been cleaned for about 2k miles. The only things apparently present on the surface of the sprockets being wax residue and a little bit of dried dilute mud that I think has probably splashed onto it during the odd damp foray. No filthy black impromptu drivetrain-grinding paste here! Note that some wear can apparently be seen on some faces / edges of the teeth where the surface nickel(?) has apparently been removed, exposing the copper and steel beneath.
Chainset - again not cleaned for about 2k miles. I can't tell a lot from this tbh but it looks OK to my untrained eye!
Part of the reason I'm waxing is just to see how it goes / how long the drivetrain lasts, and so far I'm pretty impressed. If there's any interest I'll keep this thread updated as things change (probably when the chain finally wears out) - providing the forum traditionalists don't find me and burn me at the stake first, of course
Today having covered around 380 miles since the last treatment, the 11sp KMC chain on the CdF was a little overdue another dunk in the pan.
I usually check the chain for elongation before every 2-3 waxings; my Shimano go / no go tool unequivocally saying "no" so far. Today out of interest I tried to get a more precise idea of wear with a steel tape measure over the majority of the chain's length. I struggled to do this with it hung up so laid it out on the floor; pulling it from one end to try and ensure that it was as elongated as possible and lining it up against the join in our laminate flooring to make sure it was as straight as it could be.
To avoid using the very end of the tape for best accuracy I started 12" in; aiming for the middle of the first pin:
... and measured to the final rivet at the other end of the chain:
Over 111 links that's 55.5" measured so no descernible chain elongation whatsoever
Yes, I checked at foot intervals and I'm not one link out over the chain's whole length. For comparison over this number of links 0.5% elongation would account for an extra 0.275" of length or about 0.6 of a link pitch... which clearly isn't there.
Of course this isn't a perfect test and there are a number of reasons why the length might be under-represented - slack in the chain, measurement inaccuracy in the tape, other things I've not accounted for.. However, on the face of it I certainly can't complain after the 2.2k mostly dry if sometimes dusty miles the bike's covered so far and I'm certainly intrigued to see how many more I can get out of it
A few more bonus photos for the zero people on here who are interested in this process..
Quick link - I'm not going to lie, a little bit of roughness / scoring can be felt on the inside bearing faces of the pins. This link has been on and off maybe 10 times, and while feeling a bit less resistive to snapping in and out of place still seem secure enough. Ideally I'd prefer a Wippermann alternative as they're supposedly infinitely reusible; but also bloody expensive.
Recycled spoke chain hanger - still well chuffed with this:
In action pre-waxing:
Cassette; which hasn't been cleaned for about 2k miles. The only things apparently present on the surface of the sprockets being wax residue and a little bit of dried dilute mud that I think has probably splashed onto it during the odd damp foray. No filthy black impromptu drivetrain-grinding paste here! Note that some wear can apparently be seen on some faces / edges of the teeth where the surface nickel(?) has apparently been removed, exposing the copper and steel beneath.
Chainset - again not cleaned for about 2k miles. I can't tell a lot from this tbh but it looks OK to my untrained eye!
Part of the reason I'm waxing is just to see how it goes / how long the drivetrain lasts, and so far I'm pretty impressed. If there's any interest I'll keep this thread updated as things change (probably when the chain finally wears out) - providing the forum traditionalists don't find me and burn me at the stake first, of course
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I find that very sad, a bikes for riding not for endlessly fettling, just get out and ride it. If I notice my chain is dirty it'll get wiped with a rag, if I notice its very dirty I'll clean it with a paint brush and white spirit, if its dry it'll get oiled, that will do for me.
