Quick chain question

[Uzair]

Hi all,

Today I took my bike in for a Stage 1 service at the Evans in Waterloo. Later in the day I received a call from the Central London Evans workshop telling me that my bike needs a new chain, otherwise if I do not replace it, the cassette will eventually need to be replaced. I asked whether I must let them put a new chain on, or if I could leave it. The guy said he would highly recommend it due to the cassette thing. I agreed, and am picking up the bike on Friday.

However, shortly after the call, I started getting a strong feeling telling me that what the mechanics will do, is fit on a cheap Shimano chain - not something I'm too keen on. After recently reading the 'Check the spec' section in the latest issue of 'Ride It!', I am hoping to improve the spec of my Pinnacle, and fit a new chain - a SRAM PC870 8 speed chain, which seems to be the best 8 speed chain. For the Evans workshop to fit a new chain on my bike, it will cost me an extra £20.

What should I do? Should I let them fit a chain on or should I not let them, and fit the aforementioned chain?

Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Herzog]

I would get the bike back, complete with the original chain and measure the wear (to see if it actually needs changing). To check, read bit at bottom of page http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html


If it does need changing, then do it yourself using the chain you want. http://www.ehow.com/video_4975583_change-bicycle-chain.html

 

[Uzair]

I forgot to mention that when I dropped the bike off at Waterloo, an employee checked my chain with her chain measuring thing and said it was fine...
Am I being haggled for money?

 

[Cubist]

It does sound like it. Is the stage one service the three month one? If so your chain shouldn't have needed changing yet, unless you're a Clydesdale sized masher.

 

[Uzair]

The stage one is the service they recommend every 3 to 6 months. I bought my bike in September. 10 months then.

 

[Cubist]

You can get a PC 870 off the 'bay for £8.99. It's peace of mind at least. They're really simple to fit, and will start you on your journey towards not paying Evans to service your bike every three to six months! Ring them and tell them you'll do it thanks all the same, and at the same time you can measure the old chain and see whether or not it needs changing.

 

[PeterD]

Hi Uzair
From what you have said I doubt very much if you need a new chain. As a matter of interest -- if you renew a chain its advisable to renew the cassette at the same time. They are just trying to make money out of you.

 

[Herzog]

if you renew a chain its advisable to renew the cassette at the same time. They are just trying to make money out of you.

I wouldn't. A cassette should last a few chains (mine do).

However, if you renew a cassette, it's best to put a new chain on.

 

[Dave Davenport]

I wouldn't. A cassette should last a few chains (mine do).

However, if you renew a cassette, it's best to put a new chain on.

+1

 

[Cubist]

It depends on how worn the chain is when you swap it. If it's only got to .75 on the gauge the cassette won't be worn out. If it's reached 1.0 then the cassette is going to need inspecting carefully if not changing.

Uzair, this is why it's better to do your own servicing if you can bite the bullet, you tend to check stuff like chain wear every couple of weeks and people like those wideboys at London Evans can't take the proverbial.

 

[mickle]

Hi Uzair
From what you have said I doubt very much if you need a new chain. As a matter of interest -- if you renew a chain its advisable to renew the cassette at the same time. They are just trying to make money out of you.

Not true at all.

 

[mickle]

If you keep your chains clean and replace them before they wear out your sprockets and rings will last indefinitely. Because its worn out chains which wreck sprockets - not mileage. I've a high mileage ring which dates from 1996. There's plenty of life left in it too.

The idea that you should replace your cassette with every chaiin is a myth.

 

[PeterD]

Not true at all.

If you are using the bike for serious road racing, time trials or triathlon we would normally recommend changing both chain and cassette. For normal everyday use, commuting, training etc -- then its not essential as long as the cassette is not too badly worn as well.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

If you are using the bike for serious road racing, time trials or triathlon we would normally recommend changing both chain and cassette. For normal everyday use, commuting, training etc -- then its not essential as long as the cassette is not too badly worn as well.

As you represent a bike retailer I am sure you would recommend a new chain and cassette for races. IMO a visual inspection of the cogs will tell you if they need changing and a simple tape measure will tell you when you need a new chain. As Mickle says change before it is worn out and the cogs last a lifetime.

 

[yello]

Personally, I'd tell Evans not to change it and then assess the situation yourself. A chain is very very simple to change and so there's an easy £20 to save!