When should I replace my chain?

purple cow

Could be a "how long is a piece of string answer", but I'm wondering, how after how many kms should you consider replacing your chain??

Thanks

Seaneh

purple cow wrote: »

Could be a "how long is a piece of string answer", but I'm wondering, how after how many kms should you consider replacing your chain??

Thanks

When it needs to be changed is the correct answer.

It will stretch through use and will eventually need to be changed or it can wear down through neglect (dirt causing abrasion between chain and cassette).

Sometimes you will need to change the cassette as well as they kind of wear together.

lgk

When the chain checker tells you to.

stecleary

You don't change the chain. You buy a new bike!

onesoma

Chain checkers are the most reliable way to do it. You can also use a ruler - longer than a foot - or measuring tape.

Sheldon says 1/8" is the limit of how much over 12" 12 links should be allowed to stretch: can't post a link to his site but look for sheldon brown and go to his chains page. Plenty of useful information.

If you're on a geared bike, change it sooner rather than later as cassettes are expensive. If you're on a fixed/single speed with 1/8" chains you can leave it a bit longer as the thicker sprocket will last a bit longer, and are not as expensive as as cassettes. Then again, the chains are cheaper, so you may as well change it regularly anyway.

bedirect

start checking around 2000 km, you may get away with changing a chain before it completly wears the rear sprocket, those chain checkers are about 10 euros on chain reaction web site

mirv

Depends entirely on how much and how well you clean and lubricate your drivetrain and especially if you do much wet/winter cycling. I've got two chains at 6,000km each on the same cassette - so 12,000km on the cassette. Both chains are still less than 0.5% stretch and I reckon I'll pop a new chain/cassette on at 20,000km. That said though, I'm meticulous with cleaning my bike.

bazzer86

mirv wrote: »

Depends entirely on how much and how well you clean and lubricate your drivetrain and especially if you do much wet/winter cycling. I've got two chains at 6,000km each on the same cassette - so 12,000km on the cassette. Both chains are still less than 0.5% stretch and I reckon I'll pop a new chain/cassette on at 20,000km. That said though, I'm meticulous with cleaning my bike.

Meticulous? Tell me more, how often do you clean and what do you clean? I'd like to get into good habits

Wishbone Ash

I remove the chain and cassette at least weekly and completely degrease using petrol/diesel, dry thoroughly, replace and relube chain.

tomdempsey200

I've got a quick link on my chain but I haven't figured out how to open the damn thing
i know how to use the chainbreaker but you're not supposed to remove it that way are you?

Wishbone Ash

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

I've got a quick link on my chain but I haven't figured out how to open the damn thing
i know how to use the chainbreaker but you're not supposed to remove it that way are you?

Put the chain in the smallest rings. Catch the chain at each side of the quick link and flex it a little in the opposite direction to that which it runs. The press the chain links together from each side towards the quick link. It can be fiddly but will 'open' after a few attempts.

tomdempsey200

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Put the chain in the smallest rings. Catch the chain at each side of the quick link and flex it a little in the opposite direction to that which it runs. The press the chain links together from each side towards the quick link. It can be fiddly but will 'open' after a few attempts.

I tried something similar to that
im not familiar with quicklinks but I'll have another go

Koobcam

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

I've got a quick link on my chain but I haven't figured out how to open the damn thing
i know how to use the chainbreaker but you're not supposed to remove it that way are you?

There are some tools you can buy from KMC and I think SRAM which will open your quick link. Pretty handy for cleaning the chain. I'm also with the poster who cleans their cassette and chain weekly (well ok maybe every two weeks). So, it's also worth buying a chain whip and cassette removal tool. I would probably change the chain after about 4,000km, though Im not sure how well ultegra 11-speed lasts-the previous chains I had were all campagnolo, which is usually reckoned to make the most durable chains and cassettes.

smacl

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

I've got a quick link on my chain but I haven't figured out how to open the damn thing
i know how to use the chainbreaker but you're not supposed to remove it that way are you?

I use one of these and find it saves a lot of mucking about.