Bicycle Mechanics - chain life

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View Full Version : chain life


dynokid BB2
12-25-01, 05:08 PM
i have a sachs sedis chain, and i do bmx, and use it bout 7 hours a week. how long on average will it last?


Joe Gardner
12-25-01, 05:35 PM
Good question, each chain is different, for different types of riding and whatnot. Have you measured your chain? Have you had your chain slipping? Do you clean / lube the chain regularly?

Chains are cheap, sprockets however are not. For good measure, I would change the chain once a year, or every 2000 miles, whatever comes sooner.

Your chain may last a lot longer then that, however once it starts to stretch, it will ruin your sprockets, and you will need to replace the rest of the drive train with the chain. preventive maintenance will save you money in the long run.

A quick way to check the chain, is to measure 12 links, they should be EXACTLY 12" long, if its over by even 1/8" of an inch, you need to replace it, if its longer then that, take it to the LBS, and have them check it, it maybe to late, and you may need to replace more of your drivetrain.

John E
12-25-01, 09:05 PM
Sheldon recommends replacing any chain which has elongated by more than 1/2 percent, i.e., 1/16" per 24 half-links. For me, this has reduced the question of chain replacement schedule to an exact science. Your mileage may differ ...


D*Alex
12-26-01, 08:10 AM
..and this is the only possible answer, given such sketchy and subjective data:

IT DEPENDS!!