Originally Posted by
BetweenRides
It doesn't really stretch, the internal rollers wear out over time. I don't know why anyone has to replace a chain in 1500 miles. I lube and wipe down my chain (D-A or Ultegra usually) at least every 100 miles, which means 2x a week. I typically get 3,500-4,000 miles on a chain, replace the cogset every second chain. Sure I use the Park tool to measure, but you can tell by shift degradation when the chain is starting to go.
These chain threads always make me go "wtf? 1500 miles?" I have almost 5,000 mi on my SRAM pc-1091r chain, a parks chain wear tool, another chain wear tool, a tape measure, a steel ruler with 1/32" markings all tell me that I'm not even at 75% life yet. I wipe the chain down from grime on a daily basis, relube every week, and run it through a chain cleaner + relube every month. Chainrings and rear cassette all look great. I ride ~ 150-200mi a week and I'm not slow, nor am I a lightweight, nor am I a heavy guy. I also climb a normal amount for the Bay Area, CA -- and I ride through "winter" which is probably about 30-40 days of rain.