when to change the chain

[jackthelad]

I have been changing my chains at 0.75,as this was the advice i received when to change the chain.But was wondering if i am changing too early and should wait for the 1.0 mark.I was watching a park chain checker tool video on you tube and the park video said that 0.75 was ok and that you should change at 1.0,so was wondering when other members of the forum change their chain

thanks

jackthelad

 

[HLaB]

At 0.75% you may get away with only changing the chain and not the cassette, where as at 1% its almost definite you'll have to change both. In theory its cheaper to change only the chain at 0.75% but there's a lot of debate about it and I'm not so sure either.

 

[gbb]

HLaBs right, there are a lot of differing opinions regarding when to change.
Here's my experience...
I'm on my third 10 speed chain with one cassette (that was new at the same time as my first chain). I always change chains at .75%. I have no issues with the cassette yet and my third chain isnt showing signs of excess wear yet. Working on that principle, i'll get around 4000 miles maximum from 3 chains and 1 cassette.

The unknown is how long it takes a chain to wear from .75% to 1%.

On the other side of the coin, i had an 8 speed bike that did IRO 3000 to 5000 miles with (IIRC) 2 chains and the original cassette...and that was still performing when i sold it. It didnt get the regular maintenance that my 10 speed does.

Does 10 speed chain wear quicker than 8 speed ?
Even armed with that experience, i cant bring myself to run 10 speed transmissions into the ground and just replace everything when its had it, despite the fact that letting it wear then replacing the lot appears cheaper.

 

[zacklaws]

I always change at .75%, but I have also took notice since I saw it mentioned that chain checkers can be wrong and it pays to use a steel rule to confirm it. As a rule I usually get around 1200 miles out of a chain which is about every 6 weeks, but since I've changed my lube to Chain-L, I now get double that amount. At the moment I am rotating 3 chains every 500 miles, and already done 1500 miles on each chain.

Also, it may depend as well on the material the chain rings and cassette are made from, steel or aluminium. My LBS said .75% for alluminium and 1.0% for steel but I have never got round to confirming this info

 

[byegad]

Running to 1% tends to wear the cassette and chainrings. Changing at 0.75% seems to do far less damage. In the long run you pays your money and takes your chance! But for me it's 0.75% and junk the chain every time.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I tend to change every 2,000 miles, so 4 a year. It does seem to wear out more in the wetter weather

 

[Moodyman]

I use the ruler method and change the chain once it hits the 1/16" mark. I'm now onto my third chain with the same cassette, though the last (3rd) chain slipped initially (now ok) in the most popular gear when powering from stationery.

My question is this - How many chains per cassette if you change at the 0.75% or 1/16" point?

 

[HLaB]

I use the ruler method and change the chain once it hits the 1/16" mark. I'm now onto my third chain with the same cassette, though the last (3rd) chain slipped initially (now ok) in the most popular gear when powering from stationery.

My question is this - How many chains per cassette if you change at the 0.75% or 1/16" point?

I think it depend on the quality of the cassette, my cheaper SRAM 8sp tended only to get 1 or 2 chains per cassette but my dearer 10sp veloce tended to get around 3-4 chains but I suppose it is also due to the extra maintenance the Veloce gets. Sorry to give a 'how long is a piece of string' answer but thats how I think it is ;-)

 

[Moodyman]

I think it depend on the quality of the cassette, my cheaper SRAM 8sp tended only to get 1 or 2 chains per cassette but my dearer 10sp veloce tended to get around 3-4 chains but I suppose it is also due to the extra maintenance the Veloce gets. Sorry to give a 'how long is a piece of string' answer but thats how I think it is ;-)

This is on the commuter, so I'm also running entry level 8 speed chains and cassette (KMC X8 chain & SRAM PC830 cassette), but I am meticulous with maintenance and wear full mudguards.

I read that it's usually 2 chains per cassettte so for me to get 3 chains is pretty good.

 

[zacklaws]

I got through 5 chains last year, 7331 miles in total before I changed my cassette. My chain rings are still going strong at 10730 miles. Since the beginning of the year I have just rotated 3 chains and so far none worn out.

Up to now I have found one chain that displayed .75% on the chain checker but still measured 12 inch exactly with a ruler, and that chain had only done about 500 mile before it started showing as worn with the checker.

 

[Adrian_K]

....displayed .75% on the chain checker but still measured 12 inch exactly with a ruler.

What is the 'length' of a new chain? I presume when measuring, you check a certain number of links?

ta
Adrian

 

[tyred]

What is the 'length' of a new chain? I presume when measuring, you check a certain number of links?

ta
Adrian

Each complete link will be 1" so 12 complete links on a new chain will (hopefully!) be 12". If you measure a used chain and find 12 complete links measure 12 1/16" then it's time to start thinking about a new chain.

 

[Glover Fan]

Ummm. I have a 105 10sp chain and I measured it last night and it was 12" and 1/8th of an inch. I've done 1500 miles on this chain and the whole cassette, I should be OK just replacing the chain shouldn't I?

Also is the chain now rendered useless?

 

[zacklaws]

Ummm. I have a 105 10sp chain and I measured it last night and it was 12" and 1/8th of an inch. I've done 1500 miles on this chain and the whole cassette, I should be OK just replacing the chain shouldn't I?

Also is the chain now rendered useless?

You may be lucky, but their again it may be too late. You'll find out when you fit a new chain if it starts jumping, and if it does not, the new chain may wear a bit quicker than it should. Read through the following especially "measuring chain wear" and it will explain all:-

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

 

[Glover Fan]

Its ok, I was using a textile tape measure which wasn't very accurate. Used a proper metal ruler and it is still bang on 12". Not bad for 1500 miles? Am going to buy a new chain anyway and rotate the chains.