Originally Posted by
LittleBigMan
I'm curious about this chain stretch thing. Theoretically, if the chain is longer, then the amount of wear on the pivots/pins will be multiplied by the greater number of links, creating more stretch for a longer chain for the same amount of actual wear in each link. Is this accurate? It's only a thought.
Still, the amount of "stretch" to measure would still be the same as for a DF bike chain, shouldn't it?
Well... as long as we're resurrecting the thread...
Chain wear mostly occurs when a link pivots under load. So wear happens going onto the chainring and coming off the cassette gear, and possibly at the power idler, if one exists. Some wear happens at the other bends, but it's minimal. The chainring and cassette are the same for both styles of bike; but a recumbent chain being longer will only put a given link through the wear areas 1/3 as often. Even counting the power idler, a recumbent chain should still only wear half as fast as an upright chain.