How much life do you get from a 10 speed chain?

[gbb]

Is the 12 inch / 1/16th method good enough or is it wiser to get a chain gauge?

Using the 12 inch method I changed my 105 10 speed chain at about 2000 miles.

The 8 speed chain on my trek hybrid has allready done double that with no measureable extra length.

Ive got a Park Tool wear indicator. No messing, no confusion, you measure the wear in literally 3 seconds.
I can't remember how much i paid, between £5 and £10. Not too much in my book for the almost instantanious readout it gives you.

 

[the snail]

Is the 12 inch / 1/16th method good enough or is it wiser to get a chain gauge?

Never used a guage, but IIRC Sheldon B claimed that guages can be misleading, e.g. showing a brand-new chain as being worn out?

 

[heretic]

The steel rule method is more reliable. Sheldon's right, the checker can show a false reading.

 

[yello]

5000km from my 2 previous KMC 10 speed chains, cleaned using a Park Tool cleaner. Current one has done 4900km, cleaned using the 'Mickle method' (TM) and it's got good life in it. All checked with the Park Tool checker gizmo. I'll check with a steel rule just out of interest.

 

[spiderman]

My 10sp chain gave out after 1500 miles when a link broke and wrapped its self around the rear mech on my secteur elite, washed cleaned and lubed after every ride.

 

[HLaB]

I really should replace the 10speed chain on the Kinesis, its at 5,500 miles and still has the original chain

Edit: I think the 8sp chain on the Ridgeback got 6800 before it snapped

I had been more rigorous in the past and the park chain gauge usually told me to replace somewhere around 1500 miles

 

[Maz]

I really should change mine, its a false economy! but on my Kinesis I've not splashed out on a new 10sp chain yet and its just over 5,500 miles old. On my Bianchi the chain probably has been changed prematurely; its usually around 0.75% worn at 1500-2000 miles. Although I've found as I'm sure other folk have that wiping clean with baby wipes rather than using aggressive chemicals extends the life of the chain.

Hi
Ideally, should the chain be replaced at 0.75% wear?

 

[HLaB]

Hi
Ideally, should the chain be replaced at 0.75% wear?

Yip ideally, then the theory is that you get several chains to one cassette.

 

[Maz]

Yip ideally, then the theory is that you get several chains to one cassette.

So what does the 1% wear indicator mean?
Does it mean "Too late - you need to replace the chain AND the cassette".?

 

[HLaB]

So what does the 1% wear indicator mean?
Does it mean "Too late - you need to replace the chain AND the cassette".?

I forget the words the Park tool guide says but yes its along those lines :-)