How often do u change your chain/cassette?

grazer
grazer Posts: 131
edited September 2007 in Workshop
Done about 3000 miles on the current chain/cassette (9 spd). Get's cleaned about once a month

time for a chage??

Comments

  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    Chain wear can't be measured by mileage done - depends so much on the conditions ytou ride in. Either get a chain checker, or simply measure the chain using a ruler. 12 double links of a brand new chain should be exactly 12". Personally I change chains when 12 doible links measures 12 1/16", which is 0.5% wear. You can wait until it gets to 12 1/8", or 1% wear, but at that point you'll have worn the cassette too, whereas changing at the point I do I very rarely wear out cassettes. In any case, given the hard coating has gone by 0.5% wear, you don't get that much more useful life by waiting.

    As mentioned above, if you change the chain early enough you don't need a new cassette.
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    aracer wrote:
    Chain wear can't be measured by mileage done - depends so much on the conditions ytou ride in. Either get a chain checker, or simply measure the chain using a ruler. 12 double links of a brand new chain should be exactly 12". Personally I change chains when 12 doible links measures 12 1/16", which is 0.5% wear. You can wait until it gets to 12 1/8", or 1% wear, but at that point you'll have worn the cassette too, whereas changing at the point I do I very rarely wear out cassettes. In any case, given the hard coating has gone by 0.5% wear, you don't get that much more useful life by waiting.

    As mentioned above, if you change the chain early enough you don't need a new cassette.

    Or you ccan try running 2 or 3 chains and changing it every 500 miles so the system wears out over a longer period of time (so I'm told)
    M.Rushton
  • DC Ayr
    DC Ayr Posts: 33
    I've heard about the trick of running two or three chains to keep wear down. It seems a bit OTT to me. I've got a chain checker, I think it's a Park Tools one , £7 or £8(?). Great value for money. For what it's worth I change chains at about 1800 miles - but the tool will tell you when it's time. I suspect that at 3000 miles your cassette will need changing as well.
  • pb21
    pb21 Posts: 2,171
    Change the chain, the cassette may be OK.
    Mañana
  • Burghley
    Burghley Posts: 412
    Hi

    I change the cassette and chain annually, usually in spring.

    Rgds

    Pete
    www.bikesetup.co.uk
    miles more cycling comfort

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