When should you replace your bicycle chain?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When should you replace your bicycle chain?
After I watched this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LqTmvuf6tw I bought a tool like that.
While trying to maintain my bicycle I decided to measure the chain using this tool, but how do I know if I should use the 0.75 or 1.0 side of the tool? One side sits kind of like the "new chain" in the video (at 00:58 into the video), while the other sits like the "old chain". Since my chain is old, I'm pretty sure what side I should use, but is it possible to tell this for sure, i.e. what side should be used? Is it written somewhere on the chain itself? On the gears?
Edit: Also, the one in the video has a different range than mine, it is 0.5 to 0.75. How do I know if my tool is right for my chain? What is the unit for this? Inches?
While trying to maintain my bicycle I decided to measure the chain using this tool, but how do I know if I should use the 0.75 or 1.0 side of the tool? One side sits kind of like the "new chain" in the video (at 00:58 into the video), while the other sits like the "old chain". Since my chain is old, I'm pretty sure what side I should use, but is it possible to tell this for sure, i.e. what side should be used? Is it written somewhere on the chain itself? On the gears?
Edit: Also, the one in the video has a different range than mine, it is 0.5 to 0.75. How do I know if my tool is right for my chain? What is the unit for this? Inches?
Last edited by fractal5; 04-03-16 at 06:22 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
If the 0.75% tab fits into the chain links, the chain is due for replacement. If the1.0% tab fits, the chain is overdue and you are very likely to have to replace the cassette or freewheel too. If neither fits, the chain is still ok to use.
#3
Senior Member
https://www.pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-0...l#park-rohloff
shimano and now one other company make a tool that is an accurate chain measuring device. Not having one of those, a ruler is the most accurate way to measure chain wear. Replace a chain at 1/16" in 12" of chain.
The guy on the video is full of it.
shimano and now one other company make a tool that is an accurate chain measuring device. Not having one of those, a ruler is the most accurate way to measure chain wear. Replace a chain at 1/16" in 12" of chain.
The guy on the video is full of it.
Last edited by davidad; 04-03-16 at 10:06 PM.
#4
Senior Member
The Pedro's Chain Checker Plus looks like it works similarly to the Shimano tools, i.e. by pushing both rollers in the same direction instead of away from each other.
#5
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 5,331
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2349 Post(s)
Liked 406 Times
in
254 Posts
When across 6-full-link the roller-to-roller distance is 132.6 measured with a good caliper...although that is rather conservative, you can push it to 132.7
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
After I watched this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LqTmvuf6tw I bought a tool like that.
While trying to maintain my bicycle I decided to measure the chain using this tool, but how do I know if I should use the 0.75 or 1.0 side of the tool? One side sits kind of like the "new chain" in the video (at 00:58 into the video), while the other sits like the "old chain". Since my chain is old, I'm pretty sure what side I should use, but is it possible to tell this for sure, i.e. what side should be used? Is it written somewhere on the chain itself? On the gears?
Edit: Also, the one in the video has a different range than mine, it is 0.5 to 0.75. How do I know if my tool is right for my chain? What is the unit for this? Inches?
While trying to maintain my bicycle I decided to measure the chain using this tool, but how do I know if I should use the 0.75 or 1.0 side of the tool? One side sits kind of like the "new chain" in the video (at 00:58 into the video), while the other sits like the "old chain". Since my chain is old, I'm pretty sure what side I should use, but is it possible to tell this for sure, i.e. what side should be used? Is it written somewhere on the chain itself? On the gears?
Edit: Also, the one in the video has a different range than mine, it is 0.5 to 0.75. How do I know if my tool is right for my chain? What is the unit for this? Inches?
#7
Banned
By the number or sooner , realizing preemptively replacing the chain extends the wear life of the cassettes.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 27
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If anyone is interested I decided to just replace the chain without replacing the cassette at the same time.
My experience so far is that there is no slipping on the gears whatsoever. I tried to put as much force as I could on it while pedalling.
This is probably the first time in many years (I would estimate 5 years) this bike has seen a chain replacement.
My experience so far is that there is no slipping on the gears whatsoever. I tried to put as much force as I could on it while pedalling.
This is probably the first time in many years (I would estimate 5 years) this bike has seen a chain replacement.
#9
Banned
Anyhow, Generic; More frequent chain replacement helps to not have to buy a New Cassette .
If it skips just replacing the chain you waited too Long.
If it skips just replacing the chain you waited too Long.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tpelle
Bicycle Mechanics
4
01-12-11 10:34 AM