After 2300 miles

dewei

My chain has been slipping off a lot and flipflopping gears after 2300 miles in 6 months of commuting . I brought the bike to LBS for servicing. They told me that the chain, cassette and the cables all need changing! Is that expected? Have I been guilty of poor maintainance? :oops:

jedster

I do similar mileage to you (actually a little more) and I'm finding that a new chain is desirable at 6 months, cassette and cables at 12 months. I could probably go longer than this. What components are you running? Mine are 105.

J

Underscore

dewei wrote:

My chain has been slipping off a lot and flipflopping gears after 2300 miles in 6 months of commuting . I brought the bike to LBS for servicing. They told me that the chain, cassette and the cables all need changing! Is that expected? Have I been guilty of poor maintainance? :oops:

I've found that a cassette and chain last 1500 - 2000 miles for me (though I tend to replace before I get a significant performance issues) so that sounds about right from what you've said. Mind you, I do the minimum of maintenance, so it is possible that this could be extended somewhat. I would, however, be somewhat surprised if your cables need replacing at this point...

_

mrchrispy

spend 5 quid on the park chain tool.

2wheelzgood

single gear=no cog jumping.

wow I never paid attention to distance previously on my geared commuter but was getting bad slippage..that's a frequent chain replacement :shock:

cupofteacp

A chain and a cassette last me approximatly 10000 miles of commuting.

I clean my bike about 4 times a year and I'm using an hg70 and standard chain.

I use the bike all year round, including the winter

Unless the chain and cassette were really cheap I'm amazed they've only lasted 2300 miles.

If you're riding off road thats a different matter

chewa

I do about 4 - 5000 miles a year and find I get through 2 chains and cassettes (I'm not good at cleaning the winter muck off!).

My two outer chainrings (Stronglight Zircal) (inner ring is for wussies!) are replaced every 2 years along with the jockey wheels.

Your wear seems about right.

What about rims? I'm having to change rims every second or third year too - the alloy doesn't seem as strong nowadays. It's worth it learning to build wheels.

alfablue

You may well need a chain after that mileage, I would normally expect to get 3 chain changes to each cassette change. I have found some LBS's always state cassette needs changing when a chain does, on the basis that the new chain may skip on a part worn cassette, however I would recommend you just change the chain, if it works, then fine, you saved £20-£30, if not, then change the cassette.

Changing the chain in good time (get a chain checker) will help your cassette last longer.

As for cables, I use Transfil Mudlovers (fully sealed) and they have been fitted and maintenance free for 2 years and maybe 6000 miles including all winter, and they still shift perfectly. Even ordinary cables should last a long while unless they have become frayed (which shouldn't happen if end cap is in place and the cable is routed properly) or the outers have been flooded with water and gunge.

Remember, the LBS, whilst often excellent, is ultimately interested in selling (both components and labour) and are sometimes over-zealous in their recommendations.

Underscore

alfablue wrote:

You may well need a chain after that mileage, I would normally expect to get 3 chain changes to each cassette change.

I bought a Park Tool chain wear gauge a while back and, despite buying a new chain when it showed the chain to be 0.75% stretched but not 1% stretched, the new chain still jumped on some sprockets. I figure this is because I use three of the sprockets far more than the others, and they're quite small so will tend to wear more quickly. From now on I will replace the chain and cassette together but allow the chain to stretch just past 1% before replacement. That should minimise the financial impact and prevent excessive wear to the chain rings.

_

EDIT: I just noticed that you mentioned £20-30 for a cassette; I use SRAM 830 cassettes and my replacement cost me £14 including delivery. Perhaps more expensive cassettes last much longer...

dewei

Many thanks to all the replies.

I was aware of the chain cleaning tool but did not get round doing anything about it. I am reeling from the cost of all this and I will not certainly want that to recur twice a year. I'll just have to read more my bike maintainance book and follow on your suggestions. Resolutions, resolutions...

As for the cables, it might be due to the fact that regularly fold my Dahon Cadenza and I have nicked the cables while rushing to catch the trains!

alfablue

Underscore wrote:

alfablue wrote:

You may well need a chain after that mileage, I would normally expect to get 3 chain changes to each cassette change.

I bought a Park Tool chain wear gauge a while back and, despite buying a new chain when it showed the chain to be 0.75% stretched but not 1% stretched, the new chain still jumped on some sprockets. I figure this is because I use three of the sprockets far more than the others, and they're quite small so will tend to wear more quickly. From now on I will replace the chain and cassette together but allow the chain to stretch just past 1% before replacement. That should minimise the financial impact and prevent excessive wear to the chain rings.

_

EDIT: I just noticed that you mentioned £20-30 for a cassette; I use SRAM 830 cassettes and my replacement cost me £14 including delivery. Perhaps more expensive cassettes last much longer...

That is probably a good solution to the issue.

I have been using Shimano XT cassettes on my mtb commuter - they do seem to last a long time, but I suspect there may be other variables too, such as road conditions (muck and dirt) cleaning, lubing, and style of riding (such as greater use of smaller sprockets). I think I paid about £30 for the last one (some time ago), I like them for the relatively low weight (alloy spider carrier, many cut outs etc) and the rest of the components are XTR or XT - oh and its a 9 speed.

meanwhile

What maintenance do you and what conditions do you ride in?

You might want to think of buying a decent maintenance book, like Zinns, and/or finding a new LBS and getting an opinion there.

alfablue

me? I lube the chain approx weekly, or whenever it appears to need it, and use a chain cleaner about once a month. I ride predominantly on a dedicated cycle path (former railway line) which is generally pretty clean. I cycle in all weathers.