Splat-NJ

Ok, go easy on my folks. I've been riding for about 5+ years but I still consider myself a newbie. I ride purely for fun.
My chain on my Specialized Allez Elite triple broke. I had a new chain and rear Shimano DA cassette installed. Should I also replace the chainrings or should I stick to using either the outboard or inboard rings only? Thanks.

MegaTom

Well... if you can't ride on the middle ring because it's overly worn, then it's clearly time for a new ring.

Homebrew01

Use whichever chainring puts you in the correct gear for the situation.
Chainrings almost never wear out. Yours are probably fine.

Splat-NJ

I'm good with fixing things but is it possible to just swap out the middle ring with a new one of the same tooth count? Does there need to be any balancing or monkeying with the bottom bracket? Thanks.

gregf83 

Normally you change a worn rear cassette because it skips with a new chain. Does the chain skip on your middle front ring? If not, why do you want to change it?

hairnet

does your chainring look like it has shark teeth?

carpediemracing 

Chainrings typically last 10k miles or more. Chains, depending, maybe 1500-4000 (I had 4300 miles on my chain last year, have a new one this year). Cassettes usually do a 2 chains : 1 cassette kind of ratio.

Cleaner chains last longer, esp if you get rid of any grit (sand and the like). Use a good lube too.

Unless your chainring is so worn that you run the risk of skipping (like the sharkfin one above), you probably don't need a chainring swap.

On the other hand new chainrings really add a nice solid feel to the bike. The bike will be a bit quieter and the shifting a bit more aggressive, at least that's what I find on my bike.

Homebrew01

I think you meant cassette

Nerull

If chains are changed when needed, they almost never wear out.

I've been fixing up an old MTB that clearly had the original chain on it. The entire drivetrain was ruined - even the derailleur pulley teeth were almost worn down to nothing. The chain had stretched so much that no more than 2 or 3 rollers would seat in an unworn chainring - the rest would ride on top of the teeth.

jeffpoulin

My rule of thumb is to replace the cassette after the 2nd chain wears out, and replace the middle chainring (or whichever one you ride the most) after the 2nd cassette wears out. For me, I get around 2500 to 3000 miles on a chain, 5000 to 6000 on a cassette, and 10000 to 12000 on my middle chainring.

gregf83 

Fixed. Thanks.