Originally Posted by
cafzali
+1 The only time I might consider this is when you want to go from top to bottom on the front. In that case, you decrease the chance of a chain drop if you're not cross chained. That said, dropping a chain doesn't really harm anything in the vast majority of cases. I've heard some have caused slight frame scratches doing it, but I've never personally seen that.
You'll probably find you wear out stuff a bit quicker in the beginning as you get accustomed to shifting, etc. But nothing's very expensive here. You can replace a chain and cassette on most road bikes for less than $100, including labor. One thing that will save you money is replacing your chain as soon as you hear more noise than usual from your drivetrain. If you're proactive in replacing your chain as soon as it's worn, you can make a cassette last for a couple of chains or so.
Have fun!
Chain's and cassettes I can handle replacing every once in a while, and will learn to do it myself. In the beginning I was more worried about my derailers, but now I know I was being paranoid and my 105's will do me just fine even if I'm cross-chained-and-shifting-while-I'm-standing-on-the-pedals-going-uphill (which I will never ever do
).
This thread has really helped my confidence. I can not thank you all enough. I went out for a quickie today and had a completely worry free ride. Only a couple bad shifts (but I'm getting much better), and I didn't fall over at any stop lights, which is always a plus!
I just can't wait until it warms up a bit and I can start riding to work. Then I'll be able to ride every day (it's too dark after work, and too cold in the mornings right now).