Fifty Plus (50+) - I am bummed... and ashamed

I brought my Kaitai to my LBS last Saturday for a yearly tune up... a little cleaning, some adjusting, a new chain. They told me then that I'd need a new chain and I had my suspicions before I got there that I might.

So, anyway, I told them I was in no huge hurry -that's one reason to have 2, right?- and they could have it all week but I wanted it the following Saturday (tomorrow). No problem. I had my ride all planned: a 16 miles round trip from the shop, across the Golden Gate Bridge -I've only been across the bridge in something other than a car once and never on a bicycle- and back to the shop. Throw the bike on the rack and head on home. All week I've been waiting for it, talking about it. They called today to tell me that the new chain was skipping gears every which way and I nead a new cassette. They don't have one in stock. I don't get the bike this weekend. Darn. Of course, it's my own fault and for this I am ashamed. I've done a pretty half a**ed job of keeping the drive train clean and lubed. Not total neglect but... well, you know. So there goes my ride.

But, as I said, that's why you have 2. I'll just have to come up with another route. Let's see... there's... oh and... and... oh yeah, and...

OK, I think I'll be OK. I wonder if I can do 30?

Aren't you glad that the shop caught the chain-skipping thing? I'd think that discovering that issue as you were trying to climb the hill onto the bridge would be a major bummer.

And yes, if you can ride 16 miles, you can ride 30. I say go for it.

Good they caught the problem in the shop rather than you finding it on a ride.

I need to get the Madone into the shop for some adjustments but I'm having a tough time parting with it for a couple days. I have about 700 miles on it and it's never been back for adjusting. I have had a couple problems with phantom shifting so I guess I need to take it back. Guess I need to dust off the old road bike and take it in:(

Sounds like all of that hill-hammering has worn out a few parts. I'm surprised you wore out a rear cassette in such short time.

Ashamed? ha!.
You should be proud of yourself for trashing a cassette in such a short time.
That usually takes some serious miles.
I have an odd satisfaction in wearing out components. It means the crank is turning..:D

The time to be bummed is when you've worn out your couch cushions.

Well, honestly, I've been less than good about keeping the chain and cassette clean. When I have wiped it down some major chunks of gook came off so I imagine it all did a pretty good job of grinding all the edges away. I noticed, too, a couple of weeks ago that the chain was looking a tad on the "orange" side.

Between that and some clumsy shifts under load while climbing, I guess it's been a learning experience.

Yes, I can do -have done- 20 on the Kaitai and 26 twice on the Reno. Can I do 30 on the Kaitai? Probably not. Can I do 30 on the LeMond? Absolutely.

The time to be bummed is when you've worn out your couch cushions.

As Warren Zevon said, "I've done that, too"

The alternative is much, much better :D

Replace chains often. They are much cheaper than cassettes. Worn chains are what causes worn cassettes.

Chain cleaners are cheap(most run $20-30, sometimes even less on sale) and easy to use, if a bit messy, for even the non-mechanically inclined. Plus, a non gunky chain just looks spiffy.

Chain cleaners are cheap(most run $20-30, sometimes even less on sale) and easy to use, if a bit messy, for even the non-mechanically inclined. Plus, a non gunky chain just looks spiffy.

Just what I was going to suggest- but don't be worried about wearing out a cassette. Shows how much distance the bike has done. AND the original fitment af cassette on a bike would not have been a top quality unit. The chain would have been a cheap one aswell so don't blame yourself for your lack of maintenance too much.


Now on the road bike- I will not have to clean the cassette as often as I would on the MTB. But I reckon that if the chain starts leaving the rear cassette covered in black oil- then the chain will need cleaning. This will probably be about every 3 or 4 rides or weekly if you are commuting. Remember though that Rain will wash the oil off a chain and a dry Chain will do more damage than a Dirty oily one.

Bought the Bianchi last August...and needed a new chain at the end of March. Put an Ultegra chain on it....and the ride was noticeably nicer.

Replace chains often. They are much cheaper than cassettes. Worn chains are what causes worn cassettes.

Yep, that I knew. About the chains, I mean. I just learned how much cassettes cost.
The chain was $15, the cassette is $60.

Yep, that I knew. About the chains, I mean. I just learned how much cassettes cost.
The chain was $15, the cassette is $60.

Surprised at your costings- Knowing that things are more expensive over here- But I can get an LX cassete for around $45 but a respectable chain- XT is around $40. I suppose it is the exchange rate beginning to bite.

I think my Ultegra chain was around 30.00 US

SaiKaiTai,

You might consider investing less than $10 in a "chain wear indicator," a simple tool that lets you know in seconds when your chain needs to be replaced. http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23208&subcategory_ID=4204

I think you can also measure yourself with a ruler, but I don't know the method. Anyway, this tool is so simple even I can use it.

SaiKaiTai,

You might consider investing less than $10 in a "chain wear indicator," a simple tool that lets you know in seconds when your chain needs to be replaced. http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23208&subcategory_ID=4204

I think you can also measure yourself with a ruler, but I don't know the method. Anyway, this tool is so simple even I can use it.

Park tool also makes one and I think they are around $10 as well. It takes less than a minute to see how close a chain is getting to needing to being replaced.

How many miles did you have on the original chain and cassette? I'm putting about 7000 miles on mine.....with some regular, very quick maintenance. I use Tri-Flow lube and it seems to a much better job than the waxed varieties around here.

Replacing chains and cassettes is something that you can learn to do if you have an interest. It was one of the first things I learned. Just need a couple inexpensive tools. I've had good luck with the chains that have a quick connector link (like KMC). Once you get the chain sized for length and the extra links removed you don't need your tools for maintenance. Just some good hand soap for washing your hands afterwards!!

New chain, new cassette, AH - smooth - quiet.
Do not be ashamed you earned them.

I have an odd satisfaction in wearing out components. It means the crank is turning..:D

+1 Yes, I agree completely...

Yes, I can do -have done- 20 on the Kaitai and 26 twice on the Reno. Can I do 30 on the Kaitai? Probably not. Can I do 30 on the LeMond? Absolutely.
Wrong.

I've done 28-32 miles on my Wahoo on several occasions. With your hill work, you'd have no trouble doing 30+ on you KaiTai.

How to measure your chain with a ruler....thanks again Sheldon Brown

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html