Chain life
Hi, what sort of mileage would you expect to get out of a mid priced chain?
Pay close attention to cleaning/lubrication and usually use a teflon based dry lube (in auz, rarely get wet, salt etc on it).
Also, is it worth checking for chain wear to avoid wearing out the cassette too or will this just happen anyway and replacement of both is worth doing?
Pay close attention to cleaning/lubrication and usually use a teflon based dry lube (in auz, rarely get wet, salt etc on it).
Also, is it worth checking for chain wear to avoid wearing out the cassette too or will this just happen anyway and replacement of both is worth doing?
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Comments
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I expect about 4,500 miles out of a campag chain. My LBS told me that Shimano is about 3,500, but I can't confirm or deny this. The generally accepted theory is that chains and cassettes wear together, so putting a new chain on an old cassette could result in mis-shifts, etc. One way to combat this is to run two chains and alternate between the two, that way getting the full life out of your cassette. Bit of a pain in the a**e, but if you're running high end cassettes, could be worth it.
Oh and buy a chain wear indicator, they don't cost much.0 -
All depends upon how well you look after your drive chain (not just chain, but srockets as well) - if you don't clean and lube it, it will wear out much faster than a well maintained system. Also if it just has dry miles, then longer as well.
Bit like 'how long is a ball of string ?'...........0 -
Ok thanks, thats a fair bit longer than I am getting but maybe I have been sold cheap chains and/or I'm not being quite as rigorous as i thought about cleaning and lubrication. Could be that I am getting fussier about general feel of the bike and getting it serviced at more regular intervals rather than putting up with sloppy changes and the odd skip for longer?
I use it 99% for commuting so I guess the odd expense for a new chain/cassette as part of a service isn't too bad, certainly when compared to the train or running a car. I'd rather pay the money and have a my bike running properly than make do now anyway...
I use a cleaning machine (the plastic box with brushes and cogs in it) fairly regularly (say once every two weeks) with citrus degreaser, is it possible this is doing more harm than good and removing lube from the hard to reach places so contributing to chain wear? Should I just be wiping it down and reapplying lube and only using the cleaning jobby when it really looks like it needs it?0 -
I get 1500-2500 miles per Campag or KMC chain. I could get longer, but then I would end up buying a new cassette at the same time.0
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I reckon about 4000 miles out of a campag chain - it does depend how much wear you allow for before replacing though.
it's a hard life if you don't weaken.0 -
I am now using KMC chains - very good quality even for the cheaper ones. At this time of year my usual chain would be a bit rusty - just cleaned today and it is immaculate not a mark on it. If still same after winter I will use again next year Usually cleaning it about once every 2-3 weeks with Carplan Tetroclean engine cleaner and degreaser and lubing with Purple Extreme. Best lube ever used as hardly picks up muck from roads.0
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wow do people actually lie awake at night worrying about how much wear left in their chains ! :shock: get a life lol0