New Chain

ad213812
ad213812 Posts: 59
edited October 2010 in Commuting general
I change me chain roughly every 500 miles, however, now winter's on its merry way do I need to change it more often? (If you can't tell I'm relatively new to this cycling malarkey so please forgive me ignorance)

Comments

  • jeremyrundle
    jeremyrundle Posts: 1,014
    I use a good cycle shop in Tavistock, they are the force behind Woodland Riders.

    They once told me, "if it aint broke don't fix it"

    True of most things, if it's ok why are you replacing it, except to put money in the shops pockets.
    Peds with ipods, natures little speed humps

    Banish unwanted fur - immac a squirrel
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... heads.html
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    500 miles! Get a Park Tools chain stretch measurement tool. I've got 3000 miles on my current chain and it's just beginning to slip.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • ad213812
    ad213812 Posts: 59
    I was under the impression that the chain stretched and ends up messing up your chain rings, causing gear slip and such. But like I said I am new, so am likely to believe anything that I am told. :roll:
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    It does, but it needs to get to about 1% stretched before it needs replacing. A cheap measuring tool will tell you when it gets to 0.75% and the 1%.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Don't use chain measuring tools, a ruler works much better.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • ad213812
    ad213812 Posts: 59
    Blimey, I've got a lot to learn
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    ad213812 - The cheap Shimano chain that came with my bike wore out after less than a 750 miles, replaced it with a SRAM version (not sure exact model, but cost £25 from LBS) and it's done twice times and still going strong.

    ride_whenever wrote:
    Don't use chain measuring tools, a ruler works much better.

    Could you tell more? Like the sound of that.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Try sheldon brown (RIP) the repository for the Great Man's knowledge. Out of date for the most modern things but at the bottom of the linked page you'll find how to measure a chain and the limits of wear.

    Equally you'll find why chain tools aren't great.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    ride_whenever wrote:
    Try sheldon brown (RIP) the repository for the Great Man's knowledge. Out of date for the most modern things but at the bottom of the linked page you'll find how to measure a chain and the limits of wear.

    Equally you'll find why chain tools aren't great.

    Thanks :)

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