Chain swap conundrum

class5700

Hi,

I have noted that my ultegra chain is installed backwards (logos facing bike, not out, as should be).

I have ridden probably 3000k since installing the chain.

The chain is not due for replacement (not stretched, using chain check tool).

I have a sportive on Sunday...

Should I:

a) leave the chain alone, so close to big ride
b) flip the chain over, logos out, same chain direction
c) flip the chain over and change chain direction
d) buy new chain (and install properly this time!)

thoughts?

londoncommuter

What model chain? I thought the recent ones are uni directional so it makes no difference.

Either way, leave it unless it's worn.

Semantik

3k miles is enough to want to change the chain now- Ultegra chainrings and cassettes are a lot more expensive than a chain @ £12-£15 so you don't want the teeth to start wearing on those because of a worn chain. Know what I would do...

SME

class5700 wrote:

Hi,

I have noted that my ultegra chain is installed backwards (logos facing bike, not out, as should be).

I have ridden probably 3000k since installing the chain.

The chain is not due for replacement (not stretched, using chain check tool).

............

thoughts?

3000k, and you've not noticed before? Engineers have an old saying... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

What made you look closer this time - is there a problem, or were you just checking wear?

class5700

sorry, it's the 6800 ultegra, with 3000km, not miles.

class5700

SME wrote:

class5700 wrote:

Hi,

I have noted that my ultegra chain is installed backwards (logos facing bike, not out, as should be).

I have ridden probably 3000k since installing the chain.

The chain is not due for replacement (not stretched, using chain check tool).

............

thoughts?

3000k, and you've not noticed before? Engineers have an old saying... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

What made you look closer this time - is there a problem, or were you just checking wear?

I didn't know there was a correct side! I recently saw some mention of it and decided to check.

I've read up a little on it and found all kinds of warnings about bad shifting and such, but I haven't had any trouble. It shifts the same as my 105 setup on my other bike.

normally I would just change it, but it's the proximity of the sportive that made me hesitate. as you say, if it ain't broke...

on the other hand though, as pointed out above, if the bad installation is likely to cause any extra wear on the rest of the drivechain then I'd rather stop it NOW.

probably overthinking things a little, but thought I'd canvas some opinion.

Semantik

class5700 wrote:

SME wrote:

class5700 wrote:

Hi,

I have noted that my ultegra chain is installed backwards (logos facing bike, not out, as should be).

I have ridden probably 3000k since installing the chain.

The chain is not due for replacement (not stretched, using chain check tool).

............

thoughts?

3000k, and you've not noticed before? Engineers have an old saying... "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

What made you look closer this time - is there a problem, or were you just checking wear?

I didn't know there was a correct side! I recently saw some mention of it and decided to check.

I've read up a little on it and found all kinds of warnings about bad shifting and such, but I haven't had any trouble. It shifts the same as my 105 setup on my other bike.

normally I would just change it, but it's the proximity of the sportive that made me hesitate. as you say, if it ain't broke...

on the other hand though, as pointed out above, if the bad installation is likely to cause any extra wear on the rest of the drivechain then I'd rather stop it NOW.

probably overthinking things a little, but thought I'd canvas some opinion.

It won't be the installation of the chain that would cause wear to the other drivetrain compnenents, rather the fact that it has done 2000 miles nearly. chains are cheap. Ultegra rings aren't. If you had Sora or below that's a different matter. But chains do start to wear after 2000 mls.Yes, it will probably run fine for thousands more miles if left as it is. But then you will see your chainrings have wear and your £40 cassette will need replacing also.
leave it on 'til after the event ,then replace is what I would recommend.

keef66

If you replace it now, there's a chance that the new chain will skip on the part worn cassette, which is probably not what you want on a sportive.

So I'd leave it till after the ride, measure chain wear and if it's significant, replace it. And if the new chain skips on the old cassette and doesn't settle down in a week or so, you may need a new cassette too.

drlodge

What the two above said - leave until after the ride then replace.

If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it so close to an event.

keef66

Actually just reread the OP and noticed you say it isn't worn according to your chain wear checker.

Perfectly possible for an Ultegra chain to last a lot longer than that if it's kept meticulously clean and lubed, and ridden only in good weather.

I'd just leave it on there as it is until such time it is showing significant wear, then replace it making sure the new one goes on the right way round

svetty

keef66 wrote:

Actually just reread the OP and noticed you say it isn't worn according to your chain wear checker.

Perfectly possible for an Ultegra chain to last a lot longer than that if it's kept meticulously clean and lubed, and ridden only in good weather.

I'd just leave it on there as it is until such time it is showing significant wear, then replace it making sure the new one goes on the right way round

+1

class5700

ok. thanks very much for the advice. I'll leave it on for this weekend.

I do keep my bike very clean and properly lubed, plus I'm not the most powerful rider in the world, so I'd imagine it might last a fair bit longer. I'll replace it fairly soon though as every time I ride it I will be slightly annoyed that it's on the wrong way round!