When to replace a chain?

[mattobrien]

I wanted to ask if there are any benefits on replacing a chain before it is shown to be worn / if it can be worn, beyond the length of the chain stretching?

I have so far ridden around 2,600 on the same chain and it is showing half way between 0.25%-0.5%, so going only be wear, it still has plenty of life left in it.

I just wanted to ask if there are any other reasons why I should be changing it before it hits the .7% wear level?

 

[I like Skol]

I think you are getting close and it would be prudent to have a new chain in stock ready to put on. 2600 miles on one chain is pretty good going so I think you have had your moneys worth. If it were me I would probably change it at 3000 miles regardless and if the new chain didn't run well on the old cassette then put the old chain back on and run it until it was approaching 1% then replace chain and cassette together.

 

[raleighnut]

If you change the chain now and keep it (best place is in a jam-jar full of oil) then do the same to the next one and so on then when it gets to the point where the cassette will not accept a new chain without skipping then you will have pre-worn chains to fit which shouldn't skip and remove the need/expense to change the lot. (This advice may be because some of us are tight/economical )

 

[mattobrien]

I have a spare chain in stock so can change it when needed. I don't want to kill the cassette with a stretched chain as it is SRAM Red and not the cheapest to replace.

The chain is on the good bike so not used in the wet and well looked after.

As I have got good mileage out of this chain, I have bought a like for like replacement, it's just a case of when to fit it.

I'll continue to monitor wear and change it in the not too distant future.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Yes there are. Replace the chain but keep it. Once the new chain hits
the same wear or a bit more as the old chain start rotating the chains.

rgds, sreten.

They say about 3 chains per rear cassette, but clearly sequentially
3 new chains won't be anywhere near as good as rotating 3 chains,
i.e. the latter will last much longer than the former, by a long way.

 

[Road_Runner]

Assuming that a chain is treated with respect, how many miles on average would people expect out one?

 

[User6179]

2500-3500 miles

 

[MrPie]

Chain change once per year for me.....so around 4-5k miles per year. It's only 30 quid or-so if you pick em up in a sale. No 1500W powerhouse sprinter here, so I tend to be reasonbly gentle on chains

 

[Nigeyy]

Assuming that a chain is treated with respect, how many miles on average would people expect out one?

That's a difficult one; depends on the environment I suppose and what you mean by respect. Even if you treat a chain with respect but ride frequently in mud or on a beach, it's not going to last long. I use a chain checker (very cheap). You can measure the length of the chain over so many links but I always forget what the measurement should be or how many links -hence I just reach for my chain checker......

Best answer I can give is a chain should usually last thousands of miles (in the low thousands).

 

[Beebo]

My chain does about 1500 miles and a cassette about 3000, but i run all year on city roads with lots of stop, start, and very little maintenance. I change the big chain ring about every 3 cassettes,

 

[Road_Runner]

....I use a chain checker (very cheap). You can measure the length of the chain over so many links but I always forget what the measurement should be or how many links -hence I just reach for my chain checker......

It's the same as the measurement tools - between 0.5% and 1% of a normal chain link. The normal measurement distance is considered 12 complete links because it is roughly the maximum length before cogs and derailleurs start to get in the way and the numbers just happen to work out nicely. Ie. 12 complete links = 12 inches. 0.5% = ~1/16th and 1% = ~1/8th. In the modern world this is 304.8mm with 0.5% = 1.524mm (1/16th = 1.5875mm) and 1% = 3.048 (1/8th = 3.175mm)

 

[slowmotion]

I change the chain when it's stretched 0.5%. At 0.75% I change the chain and the cassette, but I try to avoid getting there. I've done 4000 miles of city riding on a chain, all seasons. I'm not even a chain lube obsessive, but I am slow. This is all on KMC 10 speed chains. They are great. Less than £20 inc postage.