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Cassette 8th gear (11 cog) wear

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Cassette 8th gear (11 cog) wear

Old 08-29-22, 08:04 PM
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Cassette 8th gear (11 cog) wear

I posted this in the Bicycle Mechanics forum but thought I would also post it here.
I returned to biking at the beginning of the year and bought a Zizzo 8 speed 20" folding bike. After 3 months, I was primarily using the 8th gear at least 60% - 70% of the time. I even changed out the 48T chain ring for a 52T because I was spinning too often on flats. After 1700 miles, I mistakenly though I needed a new chain because the chain started to slowly drop off. When I installed a new one, it skipped on the 8th gear only when I pushed the pedal hard. I re-installed the old chain and the skipping of course stopped. I got a Park tool chain checker and tested several sections of the old chain and the wear was not at 75% yet. I didn't lube my chain until about 800 miles. My question is, since I use the 8th gear (11 cog) quite a lot, how many miles can one get on that gear before having to replace it? The Zizzo people were kind enough to send me an 11T cog gear so I am ready to install it when the chain is at 75%.

Last edited by stargazer48; 08-30-22 at 06:05 PM.
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Old 08-30-22, 03:48 AM
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There are several things to look at.

If you take the wheel off, can you see a noticeable difference between to fitted 11T cog and the new one (shark tooth shape).
Is the new chain the same model as the existing one? I had several issues with KMC and problem went when I fitted back SRAM chains.
Is your derailleur properly adjusted? (stop screw).

Whatever the answer to the questions above are, you need to look into maintenance - clean/lube the chain ~every 100miles to prolong the life of the components. @800miles, the chains will be "dirty", full of old lub a dust/dirt that will create a lapping paste grinding the components away instead of protecting them.

Then, the chainring. if 48 was too easy, it's good to go to 52 but you seem to say that you spend loads of time on 11T cog (gear 8). Gear 8 has not got an optimal chainline, the chain has to bend causing wear on both chain and cassette. This gear should be kept for occasional sprint and down hill.
Assuming your G6 is a 15T and G7 is a 13T, you should go for a 56 (possibly 60) chainring so that you don't spin out and get a better chainline but you need to consider the hills which affect G1.

Shimano Capreo came with a 9T and was known to wear out quickly when over used. On my e13 cassette, I use the 9T cog on downhill or Sprint only, I tend to stay on 12-15T on flat tarmac/dry gravel
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Old 08-30-22, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Fentuz
There are several things to look at.

If you take the wheel off, can you see a noticeable difference between to fitted 11T cog and the new one (shark tooth shape).
Is the new chain the same model as the existing one? I had several issues with KMC and problem went when I fitted back SRAM chains.
Is your derailleur properly adjusted? (stop screw).

Whatever the answer to the questions above are, you need to look into maintenance - clean/lube the chain ~every 100miles to prolong the life of the components. @800miles, the chains will be "dirty", full of old lub a dust/dirt that will create a lapping paste grinding the components away instead of protecting them.

Then, the chainring. if 48 was too easy, it's good to go to 52 but you seem to say that you spend loads of time on 11T cog (gear 8). Gear 8 has not got an optimal chainline, the chain has to bend causing wear on both chain and cassette. This gear should be kept for occasional sprint and down hill.
Assuming your G6 is a 15T and G7 is a 13T, you should go for a 56 (possibly 60) chainring so that you don't spin out and get a better chainline but you need to consider the hills which affect G1.

Shimano Capreo came with a 9T and was known to wear out quickly when over used. On my e13 cassette, I use the 9T cog on downhill or Sprint only, I tend to stay on 12-15T on flat tarmac/dry gravel
You have given me some sound advice.
I have started lubing the chain more often.
The optimum chain line issue is true between G8 and the chainring. I checked my gear ratio chart and 60T barely does the job but will the drivetrain (ie BB or rear der) have to be adjusted.
the 60T G7
While live in an area that has some steep hills, I haven't used G1 thru G3 so far. That, of course, would change where 60T with G3 would be a tad higher than 52T with G4 but still leaving me G2, G1 for emergencies.

Last edited by stargazer48; 08-30-22 at 08:13 PM.
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Old 08-30-22, 10:43 PM
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You can get a sprocket checker. The classical one was that by Rohloff but KMC and some other manufacturers have their copies of the tool out. Smaller cogs can indeed wear faster and you can principally replace just some, but it quickly ceases to make financial sense. Different operation for the new and old chains does not sound good and going back to the old chain is not a good solution. I would replace the cog and even chain now and already order a new cassette. When the drivetrain is not being cared for, 1700 miles for the lifetime may be close to normal. Else, with the new cog, you may wait till the 0.75% you cling to for the chain, but it may be a rather short time - the wear progresses at an accelerated rate.
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Old 08-31-22, 01:50 AM
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Originally Posted by 2_i
You can get a sprocket checker. The classical one was that by Rohloff but KMC and some other manufacturers have their copies of the tool out. Smaller cogs can indeed wear faster and you can principally replace just some, but it quickly ceases to make financial sense. Different operation for the new and old chains does not sound good and going back to the old chain is not a good solution. I would replace the cog and even chain now and already order a new cassette. When the drivetrain is not being cared for, 1700 miles for the lifetime may be close to normal. Else, with the new cog, you may wait till the 0.75% you cling to for the chain, but it may be a rather short time - the wear progresses at an accelerated rate.
I agree that the cassette needs to be swapped along with a new chain but... in another thread to OP asked about getting his zizzo a bit better. Since it needs a new cassette and chain, I would through in a new 9 speed shifter and a pair of ergo grips.
upgrading to 9Speed will offer a better range (wider range or closer gaps) for ~$40 extra.

That what I did with the kids bike, Altus 8 speed (11-32) swapped for acera/alivio 9 speed (11-36). I needs the sunrace cassette and the alivio shifter, derailleur worked (did it on 4 20"bikes so far).
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