Chain Opinion ??

Phil562
Phil562 Posts: 73
edited October 2013 in Road buying advice
Had my free 3 month service today and my Defy needed the chain replacing, they fitted one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x9-73-9-speed-chain/

The lbs charged more then Wiggle, didn't expect them not to really.

The question is would you pay a a few quid less and fit one of these
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/sram-pc951-9-speed-chain/

Comments

  • navrig
    navrig Posts: 1,352
    What mileage have you done to need a new chain at 3 months?

    Shop around and you'll find different chains at different prices at different times:

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... 5000000000
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    Sorry, but someone is having a laugh at your expense - a chain should not need replacing after 3 months use on a brand new bike. If there is a problem with the chain after such a short period surely to goodness it should be replaced under warranty? Unless you had some catastrophic incident which knackered it? As you can tell, I would not be a happy chappy if placed in similar circumstances!

    Peter

    PS Apologies if this is veering off topic.
  • Phil562
    Phil562 Posts: 73
    1500 miles :-(
  • Phil562
    Phil562 Posts: 73
    Navrig wrote:
    What mileage have you done to need a new chain at 3 months?

    Shop around and you'll find different chains at different prices at different times:

    http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... 5000000000

    That's cheaper :-)
  • Phil562 wrote:
    1500 miles :-(

    If it hasn't been looked after it could need replacing.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Phil562
    Phil562 Posts: 73
    Phil562 wrote:
    1500 miles :-(

    If it hasn't been looked after it could need replacing.


    No, cleaned and lubed regularly, like to think I haven't been seen off as the lbs has been great in every respect, will keep a close eye on this chain though.
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    northpole wrote:
    Sorry, but someone is having a laugh at your expense - a chain should not need replacing after 3 months use on a brand new bike. If there is a problem with the chain after such a short period surely to goodness it should be replaced under warranty? Unless you had some catastrophic incident which knackered it? As you can tell, I would not be a happy chappy if placed in similar circumstances!

    Without knowing the mileage and maintenance then you simply cant state that a chain should last more than 3 months. I did around 2500 miles over July - Sept (on one bike), and wouldnt expect a chain to last any more than that really
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    3 months old hints that the bike has enjoyed summer use - the easiest of times for a chain! There's just no way I could envisage normal wear resulting in a chain requiring replacement in such a short time period and circa 1,500 miles. Fair doo's if it got caught eg between front derailleur and chain ring. Otherwise replacement to my mind is not credible.

    Peter
  • Phil562
    Phil562 Posts: 73
    The bike is 3 months old on Thursday, tend to pedal mostly on country lanes which can be pretty dusty. The first month of use didn't clean anything since then have cleaned and lubed weekly....maybe will pay more attention though the lbs did say this morning that the bike looked gleaming compared to some they see.

    Will be doing my own servicing now, just used the lbs as it was the free first service. So will be paranoid now about checking chain wear.

    Maybe as it's my first real road bike, last one was a hybrid, I've cross chained more then I should have and mashed around the gears however I feel now after 3 months my cycling has come on leaps and bounds.

    May have to take this on the chin and put in down as a lesson learnt
  • Looking after my chains i usually get 3k out of them, i use KMC 10 speeds, always super smooth, got a new Cannondale Slice with a Tiagra chain and i cannot get it to run smooth in the lowest three gears, it wouldn't surprise me by upgrading the a KMC will solve the issue.
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    Another vote for KMC and use a quick link, so you can remove it for cleaning. The wear that counts is inside the roller part of the links and you won't stop this by wiping the outside of the chain clean. You will only clean this by dunking the chain in a bottle of chain cleaner and giving it a good shake. Allow to completely dry then re-lube.

    A chain could be worn at 1500 miles but it indicates a high degree of abrasion in the links. I would probably have haggled for it to be replaced under the first year warranty, if it only lasted 3 months.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    northpole wrote:
    Sorry, but someone is having a laugh at your expense - a chain should not need replacing after 3 months use on a brand new bike. If there is a problem with the chain after such a short period surely to goodness it should be replaced under warranty? Unless you had some catastrophic incident which knackered it? As you can tell, I would not be a happy chappy if placed in similar circumstances!

    Peter

    PS Apologies if this is veering off topic.

    there is no chance you'll get a chain replaced under warranty after 3 months
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes