Originally Posted by
Giant40
All I'm trying to do is clear up misunderstandings and provide better information. Apparently, much more has to be given. I know it's not easy to diagnose a problem accurately simply by using someone's description, which is why I'm trying to provide as much info as I can.
People keep suggesting that the chain is skipping between gears, which it isn't. Also the idea that it is only happening on certain gears, which it isn't. It happens on all 7 gears in the back and all 3 up front. Also, I don't have "zillions of miles" on this bike. I've only had it 7 years and usually ride it to a destination about 1 mile from my house most days. That little riding shouldn't put enough wear on it to cause these problems so soon.
7 years is about 2,500 days, and if you're talking about two miles per day then that's about 5000 miles on the chain.
I reckon on replacing a chain somewhere around 3000 miles, based on most of the miles being a matter of maintaining a steady speed. Starting and stopping are the kind of things that will put more stress on a chain, especially if you're doing it in high gears. I took a chain from brand new to over 1% extended in the course of about 2000 miles on my MTB, primarily due to a combination of not maintaining it adequately (I was new to cycling and didn't know what needed to be done), and a total lack of finesse using high gears when I should have been in low gears because I just put my (substantial) body weight onto the pedals to turn them.
So it's really not surprising your chain is so extended, with all the associated problems it causes.