Originally Posted by
KerryIrons
Worn chain rings can indeed accelerate chain wear. So can using a chain checker accelerate perceived chain wear. Just use a ruler. A ruler is much more accurate than most chain checkers. Even with worn rings I would be extremely surprised if you were wearing out chains at 500 miles.
My first thought also. I replace when 12" of chain "stretches" to 12-1/16", measured front of pin to front of pin. (Don't bother trying to estimate the centers.) Many chains show roller wear (or there may just be some "seating in") almost right away. But the ruler approach doesn't see the roller wear at all; just what matters.
Many chain checkers add the "stretch" (quotation marks because it is wear, not stretch but every body knows what you are talking about) to roller wear. Roller wear doesn't matter. They all wear the same and after the wear, the entire chain shifts that distance relative to the chainring or cog teeth. (I suppose you could argue "I should have won that race but my cassette was lagging because of roller wear" but I doubt you will convince the jury.)