Bicycle Mechanics - New Chain slipping

Put a new chain on my Tricross Comp last weekend. The casette didn't seem worn - I think it's got about 4k miles on it - so I didn't replace it.

Now, when I really have to mash - like standing up a hill, or when I'm starting out and left it in too high a gear, the chain seem to slip/skip. Now, it could be a shifting/derailler issue - I need to replace the cables this weekend. But is that a sign that perhaps the casette is in fact worn and needs to be replaced? How many miles should a casette normally last?

Putting a new chain on a worn cassette is often the cause of skipping under hard pedalling. It is very difficult to tell if a cassette is worn by looking at it. If the old chain was worn and still meshing with the cogs then it is very likely the cogs are worn too.

A cassette will wear out when your chain wears out. So if your chains last 4K miles then your cassette will likely last 4K miles. I would guess that your chains last less than 4K miles.

Putting a new chain on a worn cassette is often the cause of skipping under hard pedalling. It is very difficult to tell if a cassette is worn by looking at it. If the old chain was worn and still meshing with the cogs then it is very likely the cogs are worn too.

A cassette will wear out when your chain wears out. So if your chains last 4K miles then your cassette will likely last 4K miles. I would guess that your chains last less than 4K miles.

Thanks - I think you're right. I waited too long to replace the old chain. I was shocked at the condition and surprised it hadn't broken on me. I'll pick up a new casette and replace it, and until then avoid mashing/standing.

Good Bike Forum advice I will pass on

To get the longest life out of your cassette run it with three chains. Mark them chain1, chain2 and chain3. Put on chain1 and switch to chain2 after 1000 miles. Since the chain has been removed, thoroughly clean your entire drive train, cassette, sproket, chain and derailleurs. Use a PowerLink to make this maintenance an easy task. Change to chain3 and clean drive train after another 1000 miles. You can keep chain3 on for 2000 miles. Continue this routine in this sequence - 1,2,3,3,2,1,1,2,3,3. By doing this you will slow down the wear on your cassette. The worst thing you can do to a cassette is run it with a stretched out chain because the elongated links will wear the cassette teeth more quickly. By using this technique your chains will stretch over time at the same pace matching the wear of the cassette. Does this make sense?

I was told by my LBS I needed to replace my chain after only 3800 miles of use. When I took my ride back to the shop for chain skip I was told I needed to replace the cassette as well. With my replacement cassette I started this regiment and it shows little signs of wear after 10,000 miles. I expect to get another 5K worth of service if not double this number, YMMV.

I lube my chain approximately bi-weekly or when it starts to talk to me. I use ProLink - lube, wipe, lube, wipe, lube, let dry a few hours before riding.

Good Bike Forum advice I will pass on

Interesting advice. I'll give it a try, thanks.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/chain-care.html
I remove and clean my chains in an ultrasonic cleaner every 650 to 700 miles. I lube with 1 part chain saw bar oil to 4 parts mineral spirits. I replace the chain when it shows 1/16" wear in 12".
The chain on the 8 speed has 8900 miles on it ans shows 1/32" wear. The 7 speed has 10,850 miles on it. I replace cogs when a new chain skips on it.

Good Bike Forum advice I will pass on

To get the longest life out of your cassette run it with three chains. Mark them chain1, chain2 and chain3. Put on chain1 and switch to chain2 after 1000 miles. Since the chain has been removed, thoroughly clean your entire drive train, cassette, sproket, chain and derailleurs. Use a PowerLink to make this maintenance an easy task. Change to chain3 and clean drive train after another 1000 miles. You can keep chain3 on for 2000 miles. Continue this routine in this sequence - 1,2,3,3,2,1,1,2,3,3. By doing this you will slow down the wear on your cassette. The worst thing you can do to a cassette is run it with a stretched out chain because the elongated links will wear the cassette teeth more quickly. By using this technique your chains will stretch over time at the same pace matching the wear of the cassette. Does this make sense?

I was told by my LBS I needed to replace my chain after only 3800 miles of use. When I took my ride back to the shop for chain skip I was told I needed to replace the cassette as well. With my replacement cassette I started this regiment and it shows little signs of wear after 10,000 miles. I expect to get another 5K worth of service if not double this number, YMMV.

I lube my chain approximately bi-weekly or when it starts to talk to me. I use ProLink - lube, wipe, lube, wipe, lube, let dry a few hours before riding.

I had a long conversation with C. Calvin Jones [the author of the Big Blue Bicycle Book] about drive train maintenance.

In short, I had read about people removing chains to clean them. When I brought up the subject with Jones, he said to just leave the chain on the bike to clean it.

I was looking at your method. It seems to make sense. But chain 1 and chain 3 get more use than chain 2.

Why not switch out from chain 3 back to chain 1 after 1000 miles?

such as: chain 1, 1000 miles; chain 2, 1000 miles; chain 3, 1000 miles > start cycle over with chain 1.

I don't understand why your doubling up the miles on chain 3, and then again on chain 1.

But never on chain 2????

1233211233?????????????????

What I am trying to point out is that using the above method, you are cleaning chain #2 every 1000 miles.

But you are only cleaning chain 1 and chain 3 every 2000 miles.

So you are putting double the miles on chains 1 and 3 before they are cleaned.

You say you lube the chain bi-weekly.

Is that twice a week? Or once every two weeks?

[dictionary.com includes both as definitions of bi-weekly]?

Good point about the chain cleaning frequency. The reason I am doing it this way as oppose to 123123, is less tear down and cleaning. Looks like you figured out the miles on each chain ends up the same since 1 and 3 are changed after 2k and chain 2 is use twice as often. I am not a fanatic about cleaning the chain and the rest of the drive train. I am only doing it because it is already off the bike and is very easy to throw the chain into a jar of mineral spirits and swished around for a couple of days. I believe lubing and wiping will keep your chain as clean as is needed. About once or twice a week. More often won't hurt anything since you are wiping away the excess along with some dirt.