Originally Posted by
ItsJustMe
On my 8 speed chain in bad weather/winter, I get 1800 miles until the chain is worn until it "should be replaced."
However, I found that from a $ standpoint, replacing it at that point makes no sense. If I replace the chain as soon as the chain gauge says to, I find that I still have a worn out cassette at about 9000 miles and have to replace that as well.
If I just leave the worn chain on, it still works just fine, and I can go to 9000 miles and even farther, then replace the chain and cassette at once then.
That way every 9000+ miles I go through one chain and one cassette rather than 4 chains and one cassette. Performance is the same either way.
I can chip in on this one.......
I have seen and had bikes w/ 7500-10K on the same matching chain and cassette (6, 7, 8 speed). Drive and shifting acceptable. Perhaps a little mushier. Change them out and drive and shifting feels 'crisper' ? Key is, the cassette and chain must wear in together, a marriage. I have seen working chains and cassettes on pedicabs that were astonishing as to the amount of wear.
I do like to change my first chain on each new cassette, around 1.5K-2K, at least, but mileage may vary.
One more new chain on the slightly worn cassette.
First chain wrapped around the cassette will make it around 1.5K-2K miles before noticeably worn.
Change that one to restore to like new drive, then keep running the setup until end of life, i.e., one of the rear cogs starts skipping/slipping.
Tried this approach the last couple of times around.
My 8spd chains seem to be longer wearing.
I run 8 spd on my urban assault/utility rig that pulls two trailers, Adams TrailABike, WeeHoo iGo, front and rear racks, panniers, groceries, loads, etc......
SRAM 850 seems to be a decent price/value point.
One other thing.
Don't put a new chain on a significantly worn cassette.
It will just make the new chain stretch, within a couple of hundred miles.
And will not change the skipping, if it was already a problem.