Chain wear tools - recommendations?

rodgers73

I recall that the last chain I had went beyond its recommended stretch levels before I changed it and I'd like to avoid this happening again. I should get a chain wear tool so I don't end up using a knackered chain for too long.

Having looked at the tools available to check for chain wear, it seems there are some basic ones for around £5-6 and then some more sophisticated ones going for around £20 then a big step up to digital ones for about £60.

Are the cheap ones effective or are they a false economy? I'm not desperate to spend a lot on this but neither do I want to end up with something that is effectively useless.

Any thoughts from someone who uses such tools would be much appreciated

nicklouse

works fine

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OZFIMQ/ref ... B000OZFIMQ

rodgers73

Yes, seen plenty of similar ones. I take these just give you a yes/no answer and that's all you need?

Would I ever need to know if the stretch is 0.30% rather than, say, 0.40%???

sungod

the best is a ruler, cheap, easy to use, go to...

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

...scroll down to "Measuring Chain Wear"

chains are inch based, so a 12" ruler is simplest, but the instructions also cover using mm

doug5_10

Theres one on Planet X for a few quid, does the job

Bozman

Metal rule.

denniskwok

I use a basic Park Tools version. Works just fine and less fiddly than a metal ruler.

rodgers73

Cheap tool purchased. Ruler leaves too much scope for (this) human's error!