How long/far should a chain last

[ELL]

Hello

I am just wondering how long a chain should be lasting on my bike as I replaced it at my LBS about April and it has gone again this morning. I commute 2-3 days a week 18miles each way and run Ultegra kit on the bike. I clean the chain every couple of weeks, after it rains or if its looks a bit mucky.
I have taken it back to the shop today for them to have a look at it but if they say I need a new chain and they wont replace it I cant afford to pay them to do it again as they are a bit pricy to say the least. I have had a look on the forum but can find the info I am after.

I have got a list of questions and any help would be much appreciated

Firstly what tools will I need to be able to do the replacement the chain my self?
I am thinking about going for 105 as its a bit cheaper and I like it on my other bike will it be ok to mix these components?
What else will I have to look at to see if it needs to be replaced and how do you know if it needs to be done also would 105 replacements be ok if needed?
what are the best tutorials to use?

Also any other info about doing the job would be gratefully received

 

[HLaB]

How longs a piece of string, Ive heard of some folk getting sub 1000 miles and others getting thousands. My last 105 chain got around 1700 miles to 0.75% worn and I changed it and cassette at 5000 miles.
If your only replacing the cassette all you'll need is a chain tool to brake and rejoin (if it not KMC/SRAM/Wipperman). Its easiest and fastest with the KMC type quicklink, you just have to break the old chain put the new chain to the right length, fit and close the quicklink. However, if your chain is too worn you'll need to replace the cassette too, then you'll also nee a lockring tool and perhaps a spanner plus a chainwhip.
For tutorials have a look on youtube.
There's no problem mixing ultegra/105 or KMC etc as long as they are shimano 10 sp.

 

[ianrauk]

Forget 105 chains, they are crap. Wear out very quickly.
Both my main bikes components are all 105 except the chain where KMC is the choice.

KMC Chains seem to last much longer then 105's.

 

[numbnuts]

To get high mileage out of a chain give it some TLC, sit and spin and don't honk out of the saddle

 

[yello]

So you've maybe done around 1500 - 1700 miles. It's possible you need a new one. Not a great mileage but people have reported less. Then again, some have thousands upon thousands of miles on theirs.Some simply because they never change it and just live with the consequences!

Ask your bike shop how they are determining that you need a new chain. Ask out of interest, not because you suspect or doubt them!

It's really simple to change a chain. You can source your own and do the job at home.

 

[HLaB]

Forget 105 chains, they are crap. Wear out very quickly.
Both my main bikes components are all 105 except the chain where KMC is the choice.

KMC Chains seem to last much longer then 105's.

I've heard a few folks say that but from my extremely limited sample (one chain ) I can't say its any worse than the other SRAM and KMC chains I've had. However, where SRAM beats shimano for me is the quick link and where KMC wins hands down is their reopenable 10sp quicklink.

 

[slowmotion]

I have Shimano 105 gears and the bike came with a KMC DX10SC chain, complete with quick link. It has done 2000 miles and there is no sign of wear yet. I try and keep it pretty clean and lube it frequently. The quick link is wonderful.

 

[Zoiders]

Go fixed.

The chains are a fiver.

 

[doog]

It all depends on where you ride and how often you maintain your chain . I have 6 miles of trail way on my commute and what this does is coat my chain with a nice sandy covering. This forms a paste and can quickly wear the chain and cassette.

 

[ELL]

Sorry forgot to mention earlier the side of a couple of links have snapped off so not sure how much wear was in it. Had to nurse the bike to work before the chain went all together. Don't tend to go to heavy on the bike as have a couple of good hills each way to work and back so save for/recover from them and just spin.

If they don't replace I think I will go with a kmc the any recommendations of which one? Some look very funky but I need them to do a good job at not a massive price. don't want to go for a gimmick.

Thanks for your help so far its much appreciated

 

[monnet]

Look after a chain and it will last a fair while. Top Velo, the French cycling magazine, ran a test that gave a Shimano 105 chain 10 000km of functional use. They admitted you could plait it at the end but noted that it still functioned pretty well and whilst 'supple' it was far from over stretched.

I race on SRAM 1070 chains (10 speed) and I get around 6 000k (so about 4000 miles) off a chain before it goes over the .75 mark on the chain tool. And that's racing 2-3 times a week (although as any good racer, I do a full maintenance check of the bike after each race).

I've said it before but I do wonder what people do to their chains to only get 1000 miles of mileage out of them, my winter ones go on forever. Unless they are ultra cautious.

 

[ELL]

Bike shop sorted the chain for free and said poss reason was that the cassette was loose. Needed some minor repair and new cable bit should be running good again.

Thanks for your help I will keep it in mind for future use

 

[ELL]

Well took the bike out again yesterday on very a short ride whilst my friend test rode my other bike (only about 6 miles), the chain didn't seem 100% but got better after a couple of miles so thought all was fine. Woke up this morning nice and early to ride to work got the bike out and had a look at the chain and its still broken.



The chain swap is back on again so will have to find a nice KMC one I think.

 

[dellzeqq]

there's something not right here. Take it to another bike shop.

For what it's worth I change my chain in spring or early summer, whatever the mileage. There seems little point in changing it in the autumn or winter, when it will inevitably suffer from grot on the road.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

i'm at 1618 miles on my 105 chain, i've been at the .75 wear mark on my park tool for about 150 miles. no biggy, until i checked the prices on 10 speed chains, wtf, £35. it'll get a new chain when i see one on sale somewhere (i'm even thinking of turning it single speed and selling the 105 kit). the bike probably won't get another 1000 miles on on it this year, too scared of the prices of parts.