Chains - when to change - ?

[simongt]

There is a LOT of perceived wisdom / opinions / perceptions etc., etc., about when it's best to change chains. I had a new cassette & chain fitted in April ( 8 speed Deore rear system ) and spurred by an article in a CTC magazine, I decided to check my chain wear. My trusty 'Cyclus' chainchecker tells me it's time for a new chain - ! Now I know full well that how long a chain lasts depends on many things; how hard the rider is on the pedals, how clean the chains is kept, how often it's lubed etc., etc.. I've covered about 1800 miles in the fifteen weeks since it was fitted and the cassette still looks good. SO, I think I can whack a new chain on now without worrying about it dancing all over the cassette because of wear of same.

BUT - am I right in this thought - ?

 

[Smurfy]

I use a steel rule to measure chains. On a new chain 12 links should be exactly12 inches, measured from pin centre to pin centre. If the chain is more than 1mm over that measurement then I bin it.

Apologies for mixing units!

 

[Brandane]

Not sure; but well done in getting an 8 speed chain past the wear limit in the space of 1800 miles. You're obviously trying too hard!

Don't ever buy a modern bike with 11 speed cassette in that case. The more cogs, the thinner the chain has to be to fit on them, so you'll be spending a fortune.

 

[Smurfy]

Not sure; but well done in getting an 8 speed chain past the wear limit in the space of 1800 miles. You're obviously trying too hard!

Don't ever buy a modern bike with 11 speed cassette in that case. The more cogs, the thinner the chain has to be to fit on them, so you'll be spending a fortune.

I always considered more than 8 sprockets to be surplus to requirements for all but the pros, who need to match their speed, power, cadence etc. more precisely than the rest of us. Certainly these narrow chains and sprockets make a lot of extra money for manufacturers and bike shops.

 

[simongt]

Not sure; but well done in getting an 8 speed chain past the wear limit in the space of 1800 miles. You're obviously trying too hard!

Don't ever buy a modern bike with 11 speed cassette in that case. The more cogs, the thinner the chain has to be to fit on them, so you'll be spending a fortune.

The CTC experts reckon on being able to get about 1500 - 3000 miles from a 10 speed chain which seems a very wide margin. And no, I don't propose getting any cassette bigger than an 8 speed - ! And the odd thing is that the cassette is a 15 - 23 which I switched to so I would be spinning more than 'pushing' to help my poor old knees - ! Maybe I'm just harder on chains than I realised. I used to change chain and cassette every two years regardless; i.e., when they were shot to bits anyway - !

 

[Smurfy]

I think chain life depends a lot on riding style too. On my fixed-wheel bike the chains take a hammering, as rather than spinning up a 1:10 hill in a low gear at high cadence, I have to get out of the saddle and force the pedals round slowly on a 44:17 gear.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I use a steel rule to measure chains. On a new chain 12 links should be exactly12 inches, measured from pin centre to pin centre. If the chain is more than 1mm over that measurement then I bin it.

Apologies for mixing units!

1/16th of an inch is just about what you are after, which is 1.5mm. Replacing it at 1mm is a waste of good chain.

 

[MrGrumpy]

1500 miles is my limit on a 10 speed in my experience and I use a steel rule for measuring. So approx 2-3 a year on the roadie. On my fixed i should change more frequently but I`m quite lax with that so change that twice a year and on the third change i buy new chain ring and sprocket.

 

[simongt]

Result - !Put a new chain on said part worn cassette, took bike out for a test spin - and all is ticketty boo Mr. Shifter - ! Wahey - !Maybe the Italian cassette fitted is harder wearing than a far east equivalent - ? !