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A question of cassettes and chains

  • 05-04-2011 8:27pm
    #1
    Plastik
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,992 ✭✭✭


    I've two sets of wheels, one with a new cassette and one with a cassette having done c. 3,000/3,500km. The chain has covered the same distance as the second cassette. My plan is to continue to use the old wheels and cassette on the commute to work a few times a week, and to keep the new set for the spins at the weekend.

    My question is, am I likely to experience any problems of wear on the either the new cassette or chain when being used with each other, and am I going to have to fiddle with the indexing every time I swap back wheels over or should it stay shifting correctly?

    Ta muchly!


Comments

  • #2
    Keep_Her_Lit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 725 ✭✭✭Keep_Her_Lit


    If wear on the used chain is still within limits, then you might get away with using it on the new cassette. If the hubs are identical on both rear wheels, then your indexing shouldn’t be affected. If the hubs differ, then the offset between the cassette and frame may change slightly, in which case you will need to adjust your rear derailleur cable and possibly the rear derailleur limit screws also (they limit the extremities of the rear derailleur movement).

    For chain wear, a rule of thumb is to measure 12 full links of the chain with tension applied. Position the front wheel against a wall to prevent the bike from moving forward, then lean on one of the pedals so that the front wheel presses against the wall. The chain will then be tight along its upper run.

    12 full links of a new chain will measure 12”. If your measurement exceeds this value by 1/16” or more, then you should replace the chain. That’s the conventional advice anyway [which I typically ignore!]

    In any case, unless you’ve cleaned your chain very often and thoroughly, 3,000km+ will have produced significant wear and I would avoid using it with a new cassette. On a new cassette, the teeth will still have a 1/2” pitch, whereas the pitch of a part-worn chain will be slightly greater. This means that the load transmitted from the chain to the cassette will not be evenly distributed among the teeth with which the chain is engaged. This is liable to accelerate wear in both the chain and the new cassette.

    Unless the wheel with the new cassette fitted offers a very significant advantage, it may be best to just continue using the part-worn cassette with the part-worn chain until the chain (and the cassette, if you leave it for long enough) needs to be replaced.


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