jeac

typically?

taken67

You should replace it fairly soon after it breaks.

jeac

haha thanks!

but i mean how long does it take for your chain to stretch out alot and get worn, or can you not really say until it breaks?

taken67

Sheldon Brown has a good article, I suggest you start there. It's really going to depend on how you ride, how much you ride etc.

odie91

just measure it and when it is stretched, replace it.

Hobartlemagne 

Inspect regularly for a weak link, then you just have to replace the one link.

Rugen

https://www.parktool.com/products/det...at=5&item=CC-3

operator

Thread over.

seaneee

+1 things are super cheap and worth it. Especially when performance has them on sale, I think there is a spin doctor one that is cheaper.

Also a good thing to have when hunting for old bikes at flea markets and CL. Old bikes usually have crappy chains, whip that out, show the seller the chain is crap and gives you a little room to haggle.

jeac

ok thanks, i was just wondering how often people on here seem to have to get new chains. I've been riding with this same one since mid July, but its still seems to be in decent condition

operator

Impossible to say, there are too many factors at work.

Retem

get a chain checker and check it duh

coelcanth

i reckon about 3000 miles would be a pretty good average

Aeroplane

A ruler is an awesome chainchecker, and you probably already have one. Pins should line up on the 1/2" marks. If over a foot of it, the chain is stretched 1/8", that's too much. Toss it.

Hocam

+100
Park is a great company but if you can't use a damn ruler on your chain you should have someone else look at it/show you how. I love using the right tool for the right job but seriously, ALL YOU NEED IS A RULER.

max-a-mill

but a chain tool makes even the ruler method look hard... AND IT'S NOT HARD.

with my checker it is seriously under 5 seconds. in, out, on with life...

lyledriver

I replaced my 1/8" chain after about 4000 km. It was stretched just over 3/32".

twilkins9076

Rather than telling you to get a tool and check, here is my rule of thumb. You may find things differently, depending on how well you maintain your chain. Poor maintenance will wear them quicker, and good maintenance will help them last longer.

At about 2000 miles, I measure my chains to see if I can see any sign of wear. I just use a ruler rather than one of the tools. I've never had a chain showing "stretch" at 2000 miles yet, but you never know. I check again at 2500, 3000, and 3500 miles. If I see any sign of wear, the chain gets replaced immediately so it doesn't trash the rear cassette. If I get to 4000 miles, I replace the chain just because I think one shouldn't last that long.

jeac

thanks, aeroplane, i'll check that tonight!

mihlbach

Good god man! You've never had a chain showing stretch after 2000 miles? What kind of chain are you using. The most I've ever gotten out of a chain was 2000 miles, and yes I do keep my chains clean and lubed. I usually can detect some amount of stretch after 500 miles or so.

Edit: I should add that I was refering to my fixed gear and single speed bikes, where I've used various KMC BMX 1/8" chains and Sram 3/32" inch chains. I just bought a high end Izumi track chain..maybe that will go further. I can get a lot more mileage out of the Shimano HG chains I use on my geared bikes.

pedex

if you let it get to 1/8" over per foot, you may very well end up changing out the chainring and cog too, or at least be prepared for some noise till the new chain stretches a bit

jeac

it's somewhat difficult to estimate the mileage i've put on this chain, i'd estimate somewhere in the area of 1200-1500.

Hocam

Or 3 beers with the money you save and a slightly more drunken life.

Rugen

I agree the ruler will work just fine, but I suggested the tool for a few reasons:
1. You don't have to remember the ideal pin distance
2. it's small and light and you can leave it in your gear... and it's not likely to break or get unreadable if you're stuffing it in a bag or a toolbox like a plastic or wooden ruler would.
3. For noobs it leaves the judgment out... it's a binary thing... it's go or not.
Both work just as well.

queerpunk

at first i thought this tool in question was a different Park tool, where it just measures one link. those are prone to breaking and besides, what's the point of measuring one link? better to measure 6 or twelve and see if there's an amount of average wear that would require a new chain.