How long/far should a chain last

[Pale Rider]

An enclosed chain will last forever, so service life with an exposed chain is almost entirely dependent on how well it is kept.

The closer you can replicate enclosed conditions, the longer it will last.

Best way to do that is, of course, regular cleaning and lubing.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I think for the convenience it's worth buying a set of KMC quicklinks, which work with any 10 speed chain. You still need a chain tool to make the new chain the right length, but then don't have to fart about with pins if using shimano chains (which I've never had a problem with, and seem to last as long as KMC for me, which at the moment is not very long as I'm a bit of a grinder on hills and the chainrings are near the end of their lives). As they come in twos, you can also have the other in your on bike tool kit which gives you chain mending options if your multitool has a chain tool on it.

I think you will find you need Campag specific ones. I use quicklinks on all my chains whatever the make. Can't understand why Campag and Shimano persist with their special pins, short lengths of chain etc.

 

[Trull]

An enclosed chain will last forever, so service life with an exposed chain is almost entirely dependent on how well it is kept.

The closer you can replicate enclosed conditions, the longer it will last.

Best way to do that is, of course, regular cleaning and lubing.

Maybe up to a point - but not in my experience I'm afraid. Even with regular cleaning and good quality lube the aluminium grinding paste will get you.

 

[User6179]

The least I have got out of an Ultegra chain is 3000 miles and the most is 5000 miles , the one at 5000 miles was one n a half links longer than a new chain with the same amount of links , that's how far it had stretched .

 

[DWiggy]

I've got 2,242 miles out of my Ultegra chain so far, its cleaned every Sunday and lubed with Finish line Ceramic lube (Used in all weathers)

 

[Kevin Airey]

Maybe its because I am using Di2 and living in a dry climate but some of these chain mileage figures would have me putting a new one on every month! I have done over 12,000Km on an Ultegra electronic set up. If Di2 gives you this kind of chain mileage all the more reason to have it!

 

[Oaklegs]

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

The important think to remember is that if you continue to ride with a stretched chain the chain wheels on the drive cranks will be damaged. This is because the pitch on a normal chain is 1/2" (even in this age of decimals) and if the chain links become greater than that through wear the chain will just cause the teeth on the chain ring to begin to deform. Of course the same thing will happen to the teeth on the rear cassette. It is quite likely that if you replace the chain you may well also have to replace the cassette because the new chain will jump over the teeth when extreme pressure is put on the pedals i.e. hill climbing etc.
When you buy the new chain lay it out on the floor and then lay the old chain beside it and you will be surprised to see how much longer the old chain will be as each link stretches by a little bit but the whole thing is multiplied when you have say 114 links.

 

[Acyclo]

For me a chain only lasts a few hundred miles commuting in winter. In summer maybe a factor of ten more. Still cheaper than the bus though.