Chain lifespan

[adds21]

My LBS have just told me that my bike needs a new chain and rear cassette.

I have no reason whatsoever to doubt them, but am curious to know how long an "average" chain lasts... or is that the same as asking how long a piece of sting is?

I've done about 1,500 miles in 6 months on the current one with minimal maintenance.

 

[on the road]

How often did you oil the chain?

I roughly replace mine every 1000 - 1500 miles, but you can get longer then that depending on how clean you keep your chain and how often you oil it. Though the cassette should last longer then that, roughly twice as long as a chain.

 

[swee'pea99]

First thing to do is check both. Easily done. Look at your cassette. Do the teeth have a 'shark fin look about them...? If they look like this, your cassette is indeed knackered. (Be sure to check sprockets you use the most.)

Then get a steel rule and line it up against your chain. Get the end *exactly* lined up with the middle of a pin, then look at the other end of the rule. On a brand new chain, that end will also be *exactly* lined up with a pin. If it's not, the distance by which it's not tells you how worn your chain is. I believe it's something like 'anything up to about 1/10" is acceptable' beyond that, bin it. Someone will be along soon to give you the right figure.

But beyond that, you really shouldn't be needing to replace a cassette after 1500 miles. I'd reckon on probably three times that, order of magnitude.

 

[adds21]

Thanks for the info. I very rarely oil the chain if I’m honest... I’m aware that I should! Maybe I will now!

A.

 

[tyred]

Wipe the chain down before oiling and don't over-oil it or it will atract more dirt. Use engine oil, not WD40.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

How often did you oil the chain?

I roughly replace mine every 1000 - 1500 miles, but you can get longer then that depending on how clean you keep your chain and how often you oil it. Though the cassette should last longer then that, roughly twice as long as a chain.

.. though not if the chain's worn enough that it starts to take the cassette with it. I left my first chain that long .. I've been a bit more careful thereafter.

Oiling is good: I've started going for the "Mickle Method" which basically goes wipe, lube (proper chain oil), wipe again.

 

[adds21]

.. though not if the chain's worn enough that it starts to take the cassette with it.

Yes, I think that was my problem.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Found it. Have a look what the late great Sheldon has to say. Basically, if you've got over an eighth of an inch of stretch on 12 inches of chain, you're in trouble ..

 

[davidg]

I measured mine using one of those chain measurers and it was around 0.75% stretched....the course I was on said that means I should get the chain changed....and once it gets to 1% then I would need the cassette as well so to hurry up...

took it to bike shop and they just laughed saying there was load more left in the chain and not to worry about it...!

when do you worry about it!?

what strategy!?

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I measured mine using one of those chain measurers and it was around 0.75% stretched....the course I was on said that means I should get the chain changed....and once it gets to 1% then I would need the cassette as well so to hurry up...

took it to bike shop and they just laughed saying there was load more left in the chain and not to worry about it...!

when do you worry about it!?

what strategy!?

1% would fit with the eighth of an inch over 12 inches that I quoted earlier: 1% of 12 inches being 0.12 inches, or just under an eighth of an inch.

Having blitzed a cassette and the chainrings by ignoring the chain wear (albeit that I was quite careful about wiping / lubing the chain) I'm erring on the side of caution this time around.

 

[hambones]

I recently changed chain and cassette - that's after 12,000 miles....

 

[andrew_s]

I measured mine using one of those chain measurers and it was around 0.75% stretched....the course I was on said that means I should get the chain changed....and once it gets to 1% then I would need the cassette as well so to hurry up...

took it to bike shop and they just laughed saying there was load more left in the chain and not to worry about it...!

Chain checkers are easy to use but aren't nearly as accurate in assessing chain wear as a ruler is. With a checker, some chains will show as worn out even when brand new. It's because the checkers include roller slop in the measurement, and have to make some sort of allowance for it. They are generally cautious, so if the checker says it's OK it probably is, but if it says it's worn check the reading with a ruler and go by that.

 

[andrew_s]

I recently changed chain and cassette - that's after 12,000 miles....

There's two schools of thought on chain life.

One is to just use the chain for as long as possible. In this case you will always have to replace the cassette, and sometimes a chainring or two as well.
The other is to replace the chain before it's worn enough to start damaging the cassette.

In the first case, you've the occasional cost of a chain plus a cassette plus (possibly) a chainring or two.
In the second case, you've the cost of lots of chains.
What works out cheapest depends on what particular chains, cassettes etc you buy. For example, if you buy a chain like this one, I doubt that you'd discard it at 0.75%, or even 1%.

 

[wlc1]

Get a chain checker.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Park_Tools_Chain_Checker/5300001800/

http://www.petracycles.co.uk/produc...rrency=GBP&products_id=15818&source=googlepbs

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...ls/chain-checkers/product/chain-checker-28275

 

[ron4322]

Can I be cheeky and extend the question a little - what about single speed or hub geared bikes, ie a single sprocket and single chainwheel. How long do the chains and sprocket and chainwheel last? Do they wear quicker because there are not multiple sprockets to share the work/wear? Or do they last longer because of the straight chain line? Or do they last longer because the sprockets tend to be thicker?