Originally Posted by
FastJake
Not if you let the chain wear long enough that it ruins the cassette.
OP: when you get a chance, replace your chain and cassette at the same time. You should also inspect your chainrings because if your Rockhopper has a 22T granny ring as it is liable to wear away just as fast as a 22T cog on your cassette. Chainrings last (almost) forever on road bikes with 42/52T rings to spread out the load. But a tiny granny ring will wear out much faster. Next time keep a closer eye on chain wear.
The Rockhopper does have a 22T granny ring but I almost never use it. The vast majority of my cycling is in the outer chainring with the middle one used for a few large hills around here. I really need to get myself a chain wear tool and use it regularly - what I've tended to do so far is take it to the LBS every once in a while and borrow their tool.
The guy at the LBS reckoned that when I replace the chain and cassette I'll probably want a new outer chainring and possibly a new middle chainring within six months. The outer chainring on it is 44T and I'm thinking of swapping it for a 48T. It should fit in the space, it will give me slightly higher gearing for flats and moderate downhills and for the bigger hills I can shift to the middle chainring as I do now.
Is there any reason why swapping for a slightly larger chainring would be a bad idea?