Chain replacement , when?

ted1

I noticed today that the chain isn't sitting on the front chain rings, when I pedal there's a clear gap between the chain and bottom of the teeth.

Is it time to replace the chain? Chainring ?

There's probably about 7k on it. I replaced the brake pads for the first time today

How about maintenance guide as a sticky?

P.S how do I select s chain ? It's a cube Peleton pro 2014

granda

I would definitely change the chain, sounds like it is well shot as for maintenance tips look on youtube plenty of vids there, I personally like the gcn ones nice and simple and easy to understand

ted1

Cheers. A new chain it is. I found this which is quite helpful for picking parts
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/nl/index/tech_support/faq_s/compatibility.download.-Par70parsys-0024-downloadFile.html/Road_charts_2009.pdf

jon1981

ted1 wrote: »

I noticed today that the chain isn't sitting on the front chain rings, when I pedal there's a clear gap between the chain and bottom of the teeth.

Is it time to replace the chain? Chainring ?

There's probably about 7k on it. I replaced the brake pads for the first time today

How about maintenance guide as a sticky?

P.S how do I select s chain ? It's a cube Peleton pro 2014

Great video on this here. I'm about to change my chain, its 1/16th over the 12 inch Mark. Mine was at the 3k Mark. If you catch your chain wear before this point it's less likely you'll have to change the cassette. Video will explain. If the wear is not visible on your Cassette you'll only really know if the cassette is worn if the chain slips on a hard ride after you've put a new one on.

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/videos/sec-how-to/how-to-know-when-to-change-your-chain-cassette-and-chainrings/
Do you have the 105s Groupset and is it a triple or a double chain ring?

The first two options here will work if it's a 10speed.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/shimano-shimano-chains/shimchai

ted1

jon1981 wrote: »

Great video on this here. I'm about to change my chain, its 1/16th over the 12 inch Mark. Mine was at the 3k Mark. If you catch your chain wear before this point it's less likely you'll have to change the cassette. Video will explain. If the wear is not visible on your Cassette you'll only really know if the cassette is worn if the chain slips on a hard ride after you've put a new one on.

http://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/videos/sec-how-to/how-to-know-when-to-change-your-chain-cassette-and-chainrings/
Do you have the 105s Groupset and is it a triple or a double chain ring?

The first two options here will work if it's a 10speed.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/pp/road-track-bike/shimano-shimano-chains/shimchai

It's a 105 10speed double

ted1

So I just replaced the chain. Ribble were all out of the ones above, so I got an ultegra one that fits . I matched the number of links up with the old one but looking at videos online they suggest an overlap of 2 when around the two larger rings and I had 3.

The chain that cane off was a KMC x10 which surprised me as the bike was meant to have a shimano groupset, are Cube cutting corners here? Should they not have used a shimano chain , would shimano warranty the parts if not using shimano parts?

torydiver

ted1 wrote: »

So I just replaced the chain. Ribble were all out of the ones above, so I got an ultegra one that fits . I matched the number of links up with the old one but looking at videos online they suggest an overlap of 2 when around the two larger rings and I had 3.

The chain that cane off was a KMC x10 which surprised me as the bike was meant to have a shimano groupset, are Cube cutting corners here? Should they not have used a shimano chain , would shimano warranty the parts if not using shimano parts?

In a word......no
KMC are highly regarded chain manufacturers,
Quality equal to and many would argue better than Shimano chains,
also have benifit of split link system should you ever need to split the chain for maintenance or replacement....

jon1981

I'm not sure the overlap matters by a link or 2 as long as there is not too much slack in the chain and the the derailleur is not over loaded. My Cube had a Shimano chain, the KMC chains are meant to be good, no? I put the ultegra chain on the other day and it runs perfectly, i can take some pics of the derailleur position if it helps?

bren_mc

I just bought a new chain and am going to replace my old one this evening. Previously I've just used the joining pin that comes with the chain and I carry a kmc link with me in case of the chain snapping. This time I would rather use the kmc link to join the chain when fitting so that I can remove it for cleaning - so I'm wondering if I can just pop out the supplied joining pin and keep it for future use i.e. will popping it out damage / weaken it in any way?

granda

bren_mc wrote: »

I just bought a new chain and am going to replace my old one this evening. Previously I've just used the joining pin that comes with the chain and I carry a kmc link with me in case of the chain snapping. This time I would rather use the kmc link to join the chain when fitting so that I can remove it for cleaning - so I'm wondering if I can just pop out the supplied joining pin and keep it for future use i.e. will popping it out damage / weaken it in any way?

If it's a shimano chain then the pin is separate to the chain and you only join the chain with it one time and it's recommended for one time use only, but I wouldn't remove a pin and then use it again

Carawaystick

ted1 wrote: »

Cheers. A new chain it is. I found this which is quite helpful for picking parts
http://cycle.shimano-eu.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/nl/index/tech_support/faq_s/compatibility.download.-Par70parsys-0024-downloadFile.html/Road_charts_2009.pdf

This is probably out of date, 105 is 11 speed now, and the 2009 in the filename is probably a give away to its vintage.

mirrormatrix

ted1 wrote: »

I noticed today that the chain isn't sitting on the front chain rings, when I pedal there's a clear gap between the chain and bottom of the teeth.

Is it time to replace the chain? Chainring ?

There's probably about 7k on it. I replaced the brake pads for the first time today

How about maintenance guide as a sticky?

P.S how do I select s chain ? It's a cube Peleton pro 2014

7000km? I'd be replacing the cassette too if I was you

Alek

I'd be replacing the cassette too if I was you

If you keep replacing the chain just after it reaches 0,75% mark on this tool, you can get 30000+ km from a cassette...

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWCWI/jobsworth-chain-wear-indicator

I'm currently on 10000km and there are no signs of wear on the casette. Third chain now. (the second one got destroyed by cyclocross season)

Roquentin

how often does one replace a chain? once a year, would that be enough?

Alek

Depends - I can get 5000km out of 10sp chain in dry (or Irish dry ) conditions, and perhaps 1000km in mud.... The best is to keep checking it (see the link above) for wear regularly.

bren_mc

granda wrote: »

If it's a shimano chain then the pin is separate to the chain and you only join the chain with it one time and it's recommended for one time use only, but I wouldn't remove a pin and then use it again

yes its a shimano 10 speed - but the link isn't one of the extra long ones that you push in and then break the end off. It's already pushed part way into one of the outer plates.

like this...

jon1981

I replaced a chain with a chain with this pin. I just removed the link and used a kmc link connector. I was afraid of making a balls of the chain using this pin.

ted1

mirrormatrix wrote: »

7000km? I'd be replacing the cassette too if I was you

Yep, cassette needs replacing as well . Gears are slipping, only 2 weeks till pay day, have to get a chain whip and cassette remover too

Slowly building up my bike tool box.

mirrormatrix

Good tools are well worth the investment. If you want to get a decent starter tool set, check out the X-Tools set on chain reaction. It's about 45 quid for the basic set and it has most of what you need to get you going.