Worn Chain PLEASE HELP

Blade180
Blade180 Posts: 70
edited February 2018 in Workshop
Hi guys,

It seems like lately my bike has not been efficient as in previous months, i.e its not going as fast as it usually did taking into consideration all possible variables. I dropped about 2mph over a 2 hour ride.

So I have been trying to find the cause, everything seems fine apart from my chain, it looks like it is a bit loose, and like its not fully connected. i.e it looks like 1mm raised from the teeth if that make any sense. But it still pedals quite well.

So my question is, can the worn chain affect my average speed and the efficiency of my bike drastically?

Comments

  • craker
    craker Posts: 1,739
    I took my back hub apart last night cos I thought my commute home was slow and hard.

    There was nothing wrong with.it at all. It's just hard this time of year. If your chain needs changing, do it but I doubt it will make you faster.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Laurynas wrote:
    So my question is, can the worn chain affect my average speed and the efficiency of my bike drastically?

    Drastically? - no. In fact, unless the chain is rusted solid (in which case you might notice), then it isn't going to be affecting 'efficiency' in any meaningful way.

    There's lots of reasons for a 2mph drop in average, but an old chain is unlikely to be one of them.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Laurynas wrote:
    So my question is, can the worn chain affect my average speed and the efficiency of my bike drastically?

    In a word, no.

    It will accelerate wear to your cassette and chain-rings though........
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • robertpb
    robertpb Posts: 1,866
    Have you measured the chain for stretch, they don't last forever.
    Now where's that "Get Out of Crash Free Card"
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Lift bike. Spin wheels. Anything rubbing ?

    Air is denser in the cold and you wear more kit so you're punching a bigger hole in the air.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    Alternatively, you could just be getting slower.

    As the 7 time Tour de France champion said, it’s not about the bike.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • trivial_poursuivant
    trivial_poursuivant Posts: 1,136
    If in doubt, just buy a new chain. If you think it’s worn just get a new one before it starts ghost shifting and jumping which are the usual signs of excessive chain wear.
  • Blade180
    Blade180 Posts: 70
    Thanks guys for the replies. I will take every advice into consideration.
    It could be just the time of the year, it is kind of demotivating because I have been cycling regularly for a year and my average speed went from 16 to 17mph keeping in mind all the variables. But now I am just barely hitting 15mph :/
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    As all of the above have said, it's winter average speeds go down, If you feel the need to change your chain you may need to change cassette as well depending on wear
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • joey54321
    joey54321 Posts: 1,297
    Winter = higher air density, more rolling resistance and bigger/bukier clothes = lower speeds.

    Check the pedals spin backwards (or forward with the chain off) and the wheels go round without anything rubbing. make check tyre pressure if its been a while. If that all passes your good to go. It's either fitness or weather.
  • bondurant
    bondurant Posts: 858
    If your chain is riding the teeth of the cassette or chainrings as you describe, it is very worn. Keeping it on will ruin the cassette (quickly) and chainrings (slowly), if it hasn't already.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    A worn chain/drivetrain will increase losses from around 3% to as much as 5%that can mean a handful of watts soa bit bit slower but not 2 mph.

    Replace chain/cassette and you might be a bit quicker to alot quicker as a broken chain makes you very slow indeed.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • Blade180
    Blade180 Posts: 70
    I checked on strava today that my estimated average watts is around 90w where as 3-6 months ago it was around 120w to 150w and I am putting the same effort.
  • Blade180
    Blade180 Posts: 70
    Laurynas wrote:
    I checked on strava today that my estimated average watts is around 90w where as 3-6 months ago it was around 120w to 150w and I am putting the same effort.


    EDIT: As well as I gained weight around 5-6kg
  • bondurant
    bondurant Posts: 858
    Imaginary Strava watts don't change the likelihood of you going slower being due to the time of year.
  • mr_mojo
    mr_mojo Posts: 200
    Strava estimated watts I find are way under. On my commute to work on my commuter bike it estimates way lower than when I use my better bike with a power meter fitted. On same route, similar travelling time and average speed.
  • Blade180
    Blade180 Posts: 70
    Mr_Mojo wrote:
    Strava estimated watts I find are way under. On my commute to work on my commuter bike it estimates way lower than when I use my better bike with a power meter fitted. On same route, similar travelling time and average speed.

    Might be but it still gives you some sort guidance right?
    To drop watts out of nowhere is annoying :D
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Laurynas wrote:
    Mr_Mojo wrote:
    Strava estimated watts I find are way under. On my commute to work on my commuter bike it estimates way lower than when I use my better bike with a power meter fitted. On same route, similar travelling time and average speed.

    Might be but it still gives you some sort guidance right?
    To drop watts out of nowhere is annoying :D

    It's impossible to drop imaginary watts. Strava watts are imaginary.

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