I'm a believer, and have mentioned the practice a few times here on BFs...

I've found that three chains and the all the cogs all seem to reach wear limits about the same time on my mtn bike, which I ride in dusty and sometimes sandy conditions.

I clean/lube after almost every ride, but with three chains I just remove, wipe the crud off the cogs, and place a clean/lubed chain on for tomorrow.

I find the actual clean/lube MUCH easier off the bike. I will never, no, never go without the masterlink!!


I don't ride road, but I'd think the swap outs would have to more regular, for all to "wear together," which is part of the idea; the other part is clean/lube more than one chain at a time (me lazy).

I don't know how many chains per cogsets would be best for road; methinks you want all the stuff to wear out together, probably two or three.

My next drivetrain replacement, I'm going to run four chains, erring on the chain side, because I'm lazy!