New Chain at 700 miles?!?!?

[l4dva]

Thanks for the advise RedBike, seen as this is my only bike (at the moment anyways) I think ill treat it to new chains and try keep the casset in good condition for longer. I was just a bit confused because so many ppl on cyclechat get thousands of miles out of there chains and I only managed 700 lol all apart of the learning process I suppose!

 

[RedBike]

With your chain still on the bike, place the ruler’s ‘0′ inch mark directly above the center of one of your chain pins. Now count 12 complete links. (A complete link equals 1 inner and 1 outer.) A rivet on a new chain should line up exactly with the 12 inch mark using this method

Now According to Sheldon Brown, on a worn chain if the rivet is less than 1/16″ past the mark, your chain is ok. If it’s between 1/16″ and 1/8″ past the mark you’ll likely need a new chain, but your sprockets should be ok.
If it’s more than 1/8″ past the mark, run the lot into the ground as it's had it.

 

[l4dva]

Cheers Redbike, I'll keep an eye on my new chain using sheldon's theory.

Just out of interest if the chain is worn past the 1/8" mark, would the chain rings at the front where the pedals are need replacing as well as the casset at the back?

 

[Geraldom]

I ran tricross as winter commute for about a year. Yup, BB lasted about 10 months and replaced chain about 800 miles. I'd assumed it was because i pretty much grind rather than spin and i'm big lad but i'm reassessing after your post.

Great winter commuter mind, although i'm thinking of switching to signlespeed/fixed version

G

 

[RedBike]

Sort of. The chainrings will be being worn. However, being larger, they will wear at a much slower rate than the cassette. You probably wont need to replace the chainrings the first time you wear out a chain/cassette.

With ramps, half teeth and odd profiles all to 'aid' shifting even a brand new chainring can often look worn out at first glance. As a chainring wears the teeth become sharp/pointy like this.

Another simple test for a worn chain/chainring is to grab the chain and try and pull it away from the chainring like this:

If you can then the chains worn.

All pics from www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/36/article15.html

 

[dodgy]

I track the usage of my tyres and chains in Sporttracks and can give you these figures for comparison.

I'm 13.5 St now and 6ft 2" and a significant amount of riding is in N.Wales

Of 3 Ultegra chains, they lasted this long (.7% according to my chain checking tool):

657 miles (fitted to winter bike)
758 miles (on summer bike)
942 miles - Currently fitted and showing no signs of getting to the magic 0.7% worn.

The chains all receive the same maintenance, all wiped meticulously clean after each ride and I use Krytech wax oil on them, though I will put a wet weather oil on if the conditions warrant - never on the summer bike.

I think this is one of the biggest issues with new bike sales, all buyers should be briefed when buying a new bike about how/why chains wear and how some preventative maintenance can save money. It could be in the form of a leaflet.

Question: When was the last time you told a newcomer to our sport about chain wear etc and had them say "oh yeah, I know about that"?

 

[l4dva]

Thanks again redbike, just checked my chain rings seem fine for now.

The bottom bracket issue is still there though, im going to go back to the LBS tomorrow. So I don't get fobbed off with the same cheapo rubish part thats in there at the moment, which make/model of bottom bracket should I be asking for, I don't mind paying the extra cost over what was factory fitted.

 

[e-rider]

I have found that higher spec chains (esp. shimano) last about 10 minutes these days! Awful value for money. Try KMC or SRAM if you want them to last a bit longer, otherwise get used to changing them and buy in bulk to save money.

 

[e-rider]

and just to note - I've been cycling for the past 20 years on just a few different bikes and although I change my chain fairly often and my cassettes now and then I've never (not once) had to replace a chainring. Some must have clocked up tens of thousands of miles!

 

[l4dva]

Thanks for the advice tundragumski. I'll look out for the KMC and SRAM chains next time!

Any ideas on which Bottom Bracket I need for my tricross sport?
Thanks