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how can you tell if you need to replace your chain on your bike?

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  • 24-11-2019 11:52pm
    #1
    thebourke
    Registered Users Posts: 1,302 ✭✭✭


    how can you tell if you need to replace your chain on your bike apart from going to bike shop and asking them?


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    #2
    RobertFoster
    Registered Users Posts: 9,131 ✭✭✭RobertFoster


    I usually use a ruler to check for stretch.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LqTmvuf6tw


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    #3
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,467 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    if the chain is badly worn, it can skip and wear down other components, such as the teeth on the cassette and chainwheel.
    you can also measure your chain; chains stretch as they wear - the likes of halfords stock chain wear tools, but it's possible to diagnose it by measuring your chain or using other rule of thumb measurements such as whether you can pull the chain away from the chainwheel on your bike by any significant amount.

    however, i suspect a simple rule of thumb applies - if you think your chain is worn, it probably is.


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    #4
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users Posts: 24,959 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    With a chain checker:

    https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/park-tool-chain-checker-cc-3-2/rp-prod5784

    Much easier than farting around with rulers.


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    #5
    Macy0161
    Registered Users Posts: 9,288 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Chain Checker here too. Although even then, don't check as much as I should!


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    #6
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,293 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    Chain checker, or look at how it sits on the chain wheel and cassette, if it doesn’t sit down fully it’s time to change it.


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    #7
    Strobing
    Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭Strobing


    Came back from club spin yesterday noticing one of my chain links is bent causing chain to skip.

    I can bend it back/replace the link, but do I ideally need to just buy a new chain?


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    #8
    smacl
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,719 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    however, i suspect a simple rule of thumb applies - if you think your chain is worn, it probably is.

    This. I tend to check it when shifting starts to deteriorate and know the chain is on the way out once it gets a bit rattly / loose. I usually use the old chain to measure the new one where the old chain is about 1/2 a link longer.


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    #9
    Alanstrainor
    Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 23,157 Mod ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    Strobing wrote: »
    Came back from club spin yesterday noticing one of my chain links is bent causing chain to skip.

    I can bend it back/replace the link, but do I ideally need to just buy a new chain?

    Chains are cheap. Just replace it I'd say.


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