Swapping between cassettes - different chains?

kenbaxter
kenbaxter Posts: 1,251
edited February 2008 in Workshop
Training wheels have cassette with some wear but not too much. New race wheels with new cassette, both same ratio so same chain length. Should I:
(a) Just use the new cassette with the old chain
(b) Replace the old chain and use new chain on on both cassettes
(c) Run a separate chain for each cassette (which would be a right royal pain to keep swapping!).

Thanks.

Comments

  • portuguese mike
    portuguese mike Posts: 695
    Depends how worn the chain is. i have two sets of wheels for my best bike and i swap them around but use the same chain until it (the chain) it's worn.

    i clean the chain regularly and keep it for about 2000 miles, up to that point it isn't too stretched and therfore runs pretty smoothly on the two cassetes and so far i haven't had any problems.

    BTW i change cassettes about every 4000 miles
    pm
  • xover_runner
    xover_runner Posts: 228
    Sorry to hi-jack this thread but it is sort of related. I have Shimano 9 speed and am going to change casette from 12-23 to 12-27 for Flanders. Simple question, will the chain stil fit? or will it need a link or 2.
  • kenbaxter
    kenbaxter Posts: 1,251
    I would guess that your big-big combination would be too tight - see http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=26 for more info. And they also say if you need to lengthen your old chain don't add new links to it. The big-big combination method thingy worked spot on for me.

    In fact if you use their equation for chain length (inches) :
    SIMPLE EQUATION: L = 2 (C) + F/4 + R/4 + 1
    then the difference between your two large rear sprockets is 4 teeth so you need to add another 4/4 to the R/4 bit and your chain will be 1 inch too short on your new cassette.

    Now clear off and leave my thread alone :wink:
  • xover_runner
    xover_runner Posts: 228
    Cheers KB, I'm off

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