Bicycle Mechanics - Is this a chain worth changing?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Is this a chain worth changing?

moammar
10-17-09, 03:35 PM
I've got a Shimano 9-speed that I suddenly realized as 3,300 miles on it, and judging by my ruler, is pretty well worn. But it pedals and shifts fine.

Should I bother putting on a new one or wait till things get bad and switch the cassette at the same time? Will I be dooming my crank rings as well?

Steve M.

10 Wheels
10-17-09, 03:37 PM
You never cleaned it in 3,300 miles?
Get a new chain.
moammar
10-17-09, 03:38 PM
No, I cleaned it. But it's stretched.

DaveSSS
10-17-09, 03:41 PM
This topic has been covered so many times it is ridiculous. Measure the actual elongation with a precision 12" rule. It's probably well beyond 12-1/16" between 24 pins but perhaps not.

The only way to know for sure if your cassette is trashed is to put a new chain on and see if you get chain skip on one or more cogs, while pedaling under a heavy load.

You can probably keep using the chain until the elongation reaches 1% or 1/8" over 12 inches without hurting the chainrings, but then you can be assured that some cogs will skip with a new chain.
moammar
10-17-09, 03:44 PM
Thank you. That's quite helpful.