Originally Posted by TomD77

In my whole 3 years of experience I've found that I tend to get very close to 2000 miles before 24 links are greater than 12-1/16th inches (.0625" in 12" stretch), at which point I've replaced. But that was with the less than attentive maintenance schedule shown by several above, maybe around 600-700 miles in between cleanings. The last chain install I decided to see what a 100-200 mile schedule would do. I've got 2480 miles on this one and just did measure it at very close to .04" stretch. If the wear is linear, looks like I'll get about 3600 miles on this one. BTW: 10 speed chains are expensive enough to try to save.

BTW: I use one of these and with a purple degreaser from Walmart ($5/gal) as the cleaning fluid. After a couple of minutes of that, the chain looks brand new. Then shoot it down with a water hose, dry and lube.