Originally Posted by Yoyoma
Hello all,
I just want to know how often you should replace a chain. I've done about 3 000 km with this one, and someone told me that you should replace the chain every 2 000 km. Is this true ? I'm just wondering why it would be necessary. Thank you everybody.
Those sorts of "rules of thumb" don't work very well in the real world. I've got about a dozen bikes around at any given time, and don't have a clue how many miles are on a chain. I use the Park Tool's "Chain Checker" (about five dollars or so).
I bought a 1985 Trek last year that appeared to have its original factory chain. According to the "Chain Checker", the chain was "like new". The bike was very clean looking, but the "chain checker" was telling me it may not have had many miles on it.
I am still using that chain, so I may have to throw it a "twenty year" birthday party soon.