How often do you replace your chain?

8kvscdpglqnyr4

A link to this article was posted on the "Bike Servicing" thread:
http://www.raphacondor.cc/club/workshop-tips-by-andy-verrall-replace-it-before-it-is-too-late
In the article the author says:

Article wrote:

Depending on the terrain covered and the weather etc the chain will need replacing after 1000km in the worst case, with 2000km about the best for it to keep performing well and prevent wear to the sprockets/chainrings

I would not have thought chains need to be replaced that often. I would have expected at least 5,000km.

So, how often do you replace your chain?

AMHRASACH

. . if it breaks!

Beasty

Probably every 3,000km or so, based on chain stretch

Having said that I did manage to break 2 Dura Ace chains in successive days recently (on different bikes) - each had done less than 1,000km. One snapped at a normal link and the other was down to a dodgy joining pin.

tomasrojo

I think it's between 2000 and 5000km, but it's hard to tell now I have two bikes. It was easier with one.

I change when the chain shows first sign of "stretch", as per this article:
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

The standard way to measure chain wear is with a ruler or steel tape measure. This can be done without removing the chain from the bicycle. The normal technique is to measure a one-foot length, placing an inch mark of the ruler exactly in the middle of one rivet, then looking at the corresponding rivet 12 complete links away. On a new, unworn chain, this rivet will also line up exactly with an inch mark. With a worn chain, the rivet will be past the inch mark.

This would illustrate the principle well:
http://www.kronowit.com/bicycling/chainstretch.html
except the 13" photo seems to be wrong; 13" mark should be lining up with the left rivet.

Hungrycol

When the chain wear indicator tool tells me to.

Holyboy

Beasty wrote: »

Probably every 3,000km or so, based on chain stretch

Having said that I did manage to break 2 Dura Ace chains in successive days recently (on different bikes) - each had done less than 1,000km. One snapped at a normal link and the other was down to a dodgy joining pin.

Shimano chains are notorious for breaking,dont know why they cant get it together to produce decent chains,SRAM for me all the way! As for when to replace a chain?how long is a piece of string!but I always replace cassette/freewheel when replacing a chain,if your doing alot of mileage im a big fan of rotating two or three chains on the same cassette,gives you a chance to clean the ones not in use properly too.

Captain Havoc

I wait for something to jerk or feel unsmooth, I'd say 5,000 - 10,000kms, I'm rarely in the big ring so it probably gives the chain a bit more longetivity.

cdaly_

Holyboy wrote: »

Shimano chains are notorious for breaking,dont know why they cant get it together to produce decent chains,SRAM for me all the way! As for when to replace a chain?how long is a piece of string!but I always replace cassette/freewheel when replacing a chain,if your doing alot of mileage im a big fan of rotating two or three chains on the same cassette,gives you a chance to clean the ones not in use properly too.

I'm on the third chain on the current cassette. Nearly time for another one. Let's see if the cassette is still up to it...

Lusk Doyle

Beasty wrote: »

Probably every 3,000km or so, based on chain stretch

Having said that I did manage to break 2 Dura Ace chains in successive days recently (on different bikes) - each had done less than 1,000km. One snapped at a normal link and the other was down to a dodgy joining pin.

Don't forget the EXPLOSIVENESS of your start up the hill climb!

poochiem

OP, because you posted this thread my chain snapped today at rathmines bridge on the way to work. Thanks

Thanks to the lads in Thinkbike had me back on the road in 5 minutes

ashleey

I inspected my SRAM chain after a hilly sportive in Clare and noticed a cracked link which explained the less smooth running after 'The Corkscrew'. It had about 1000k of use. Then I measured the KMC chain on my other bike and it needs replacing according to the measuring tool immediately and has about 3000k on it. So that looks like an average of 2000k. The replacements cost about 40 euro each, one SRAM, one Wippermann as the powerlink idea beats the Shimano for ease of fitting and we'll see about strength.

ktz84

About 5000 miles on Shimano 105 chains. The replacement chains are KMC X10 SL chains (nothing fancy for me) and they appear to be holding up equally as well. I usually wait until there the bargains come along at Merlin or such and buy in 3s. A lot cheaper I find. I like the ability to take the chain off and clean now and again. A job I will be doing this weekend. Changed the bartape so now need to make the chain and cassette glisten (never mind about all the sraches on the paintwork )

8kvscdpglqnyr4

I recently broken a my Ultegra chain - replaced the link and still using the same chain. The chain has done about 2,500km and it cleaned regularly. Thinking about getting one of these:
Wippermann 10S1 Stainless 10sp.
I hope it's worth the money - it gets great reviews. The ability to be able to easily take it off for cleaning is a nice too.