How long should a chain last?

akcp

I just had the bike in for a free service after nine months (free with Marins). Apart from normal wear and tear (brake pads and gear cable which I changed), I have had no trouble.

Anyway - I have been using it for a daily 11 mile commute (7 miles in and 4 miles back) practically every day in London (even when it snowed quite heavily and the roads were slushy!). The report back after the service is that the chain is stretched - guy show me with the park tool. I mentioned that the gears weren't slipping and I had no trouble shifting and he said I can change it or as there is no trouble, to run it until the gears skip.

My question is - how long should a chain last? I have read somewhere that some people run three chains and change them around often to make the cassette last.

gbb

11 months, 55 miles a week...2500'ish miles. I'd expect the chain to be stretched...but not neccessarily to the degree where it may cause a problem.
I'd change it....i did my Raleigh at 3500 miles, and it felt immediately better.
Just done the Bianchi at 2000 miles'ish...again, it seems to run quieter. Its satisfying to know its done, that it wont snap or break, and i assume, wont cost the earth.

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Chill out, fer Christsakes....

rgisme

I've let my chain drift past it's supposed wear limit, so now I'll just keep on with so long as it doesn't break and the gears keep changing, and then I'll replace the chain and cassette together. It's been on the bike for at least a year, probably two, 12 miles a day.. Must remember to pack that chain tool..

bhm100

Hi ak
First thing is that the chain isn't "stretched", it's worn. The pins/rivets take some wear which gives some slack if you push/pull the individual links.

Given the conditions you've been riding in, plus, say 2000 miles ? then I'd expect some wear, but I'd also expect to see some wear on the cassette as well. I did a similar thing in swopping a chain after 12 months and it slipped badly on the most-used sprockets under load, eventually chipping one of them.

So if it's working fine I'd leave it alone and when you do change it, change the cassette and chain together. If it's a gentle commute with no steep hills then personally I'd try to run it through the worst of next winter as well.

One tip I picked up was to run 2 chains and swop them roughly every 500 miles/monthly to equalise wear. I find I can run the cassettes much longer, and removing the chains means they get a good clean each time which helps.

Rich Hcp

I'd leave it until it gives trouble.

If it ain't broke....

Richard

Best thing I ever bought for a bike?
Padded shorts![:D]

Unknown

I used to leave mine for around 10000 km. Last time it broke and pulled the derailuer into the back wheel. I'm now changing every 2500km, which is every two months.

"People setting the pace too fast on the front are abused to slow down. Riders that do not share the work are abused. Riders that need abuse get abused and the abuse is done in every language so they get the message"

nickwill

I change my chain every 1500 miles or so. If its left on much longer, the cassette usually has to be changed as well. Its cheaper to change the chain regularly.

You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Anonymous

my last chain was on for 6500 miles

Non Omnis Moriar

nmcgann

I just check the wear and change it when the distance over 12 links (12in) has stretched by 1/16in. All my bikes are on 9-speed Shimano with Connex links and use HG53 or HG73 chains at œ7-œ11 a go, so chain cost is minimal.

I'd rather change a cheap chain than a cassette or a set of chainrings.

Neil

monty_dogcp

I can get a couple of thousand miles out of a chain at least, particularly as I try to keep it clean, well lubed and regularly checked - as I've got a number of bikes, it means they only need changing every year or so.

gbb

The wear on the cassette(in particular) seems to vary according to individals.
Both my cassettes (Shimano at 3500 miles and the Campag at 2000 miles)work 100% with a new chain...never needed to replace them.

That said, the 3500 mile Ofmega chainrings were definately showing wear...but i still didnt change them...and they are still running well.

When you look at the cost, assuming you can or will do it yourself, its not worth the risk of an off due to a broken chain, plus any damage to the bike....for the sake of (in my case) œ10 ish for a Shimano 8 speed chain from the LBS, and œ15 for a SRAM 9 speed chain off ebay.
Yes, you need a chain splitter, but its an easy, satisfying job.

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Chill out, fer Christsakes....

Unknown

Every 3 months on my MTB, and after seeing my mate coming to an abrupt stop against a fence-post, when his chain snapped whilst riding out of the saddle last night, I'll continue to do so.

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lateralus

doesn't sound unusual. I do 55 miles a week commuting in London in all weathers, and mine last 9-12 months. I change them when they hit 0.75% wear measured with the park tool, as I'd rather get more life from the cassette and rings.

akcp

Thanks all for your input - think I am going to run the chain and cassette a bit longer then change both togther. May have another question about chains and compatibility (SRAM/Shimano etc) - but that'll be another thread.

on the road

Chains usually last between 2000 and 3000 miles. I left my chain on beyond the recommended change time and ended up having to get a new cassette.