Tales from today's commute....

[subaqua]

This is the cassette: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-7-S..._1_23?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1359542522&sr=1-23
and the chain: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=85895

there ya go less than £20

 

[Matthew_T]

there ya go less than £20

The problem is that it might be the chainrings. I will have to check as they have never been changed, ever.

 

[subaqua]

a deore chainset triple is about £50 . its better spending money on bikes than beer if any parents start asking why so much

 

[fossyant]

The problem is that it might be the chainrings. I will have to check as they have never been changed, ever.

Chainrings rarely skip - it's the chain and cassette/freewheel.

 

[BSRU]

The problem is that it might be the chainrings. I will have to check as they have never been changed, ever.

Worth investing a few pounds in a chain wear indicator, that way you can change the chain before it starts damaging the cassette.

My old main commuter is 7 speed and I just regularly changed the chain since they are very cheap, compared to 9 or 10 chain.

 

[Matthew_T]

Worth investing a few pounds in a chain wear indicator, that way you can change the chain before it starts damaging the cassette.

My old main commuter is 7 speed and I just regularly changed the chain since they are very cheap, compared to 9 or 10 chain.

New chain and proper lube ordered. Total under £10.
If I need a new drivetrain then it wont cost much.

 

[hennbell]

New chain and proper lube ordered. Total under £10.
If I need a new drivetrain then it wont cost much.

Replacing chain rings can get expensive. Worn rings have "shark fin" like teeth, and often you don't need to replace all 3 . Depending on the style of riding you do the smaller two chain rings tend to get the most wear.

 

[paul04]

cycled to work this morning, mild out so a nice ride.
cycling home was more of a challenge, the rain was sidewards because it was that windy,
And for the 1st couple of miles it was like riding uphill because of the headwind,
But I must be mad because I went the longer way home, in a funny way I enjoyed the challenge of the ride home.

 

[MichaelO]

Question vaguely on topic - how many miles (roughly) does a chain last? Or, more importantly, after how many miles should I start checking the chain for stretch?

 

[Andrew_P]

Been really lucky thus far this week, the wind seem pretty settled, still quite strong but not too many gusts in the morning, it has been picking up in the afternoon so get a nice bit of help home.

This time last year this headwind would have been a commute killer. Now I just revert to plod mode.

whoops spoke too soon, sods law blustery side winds all the way home

 

[ianrauk]

whoops spoke too soon, sods law blustery side winds all the way home

Yup. very blustery tonight. Had one lovely assisted tailwing on part of the journey, but the rest.....oo eeer missus..

 

[Hip Priest]

Was meant to be an easy day today, but the wind had other ideas.

 

[Matthew_T]

Question vaguely on topic - how many miles (roughly) does a chain last? Or, more importantly, after how many miles should I start checking the chain for stretch?

It depends on the type of riding you do I suspect. Lots of hills and sprints probably causes more wear than just pootling along on the flat without trying.
I have had 3 chains on my bike since I had it. Each did about 7000 miles (before it started slipping).

 

[gaz]

It depends on the type of riding you do I suspect. Lots of hills and sprints probably causes more wear than just pootling along on the flat without trying.
I have had 3 chains on my bike since I had it. Each did about 7000 miles (before it started slipping).

You should replace the chain before it starts slipping

 

[Matthew_T]

You should replace the chain before it starts slipping

I dont check the wear as often as I should. I will only investigate things when something doesnt feel right.