New chain and freewheel
09-26-17 | 11:09 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 87
Likes: 33
From: Outdoors as much as I can
Bikes: REI's COOP AVD1.1 touring bike, TREK Excalaber 9 29" MARIN Sausalito E2 E-bike
New chain and freewheel
Last couple of freewheels and chains have been only lasting about 1500 miles to 1700 miles I am using KMC Z51 chain and Shimano 7 speed 14 34t Megarange freewheels but they don't seem to be lasting as long as they used to. I over lube every 100/120 miles and let in penetrate a while then wipe excess just as always. I used to swap two chains to one freewheel now I have to swap both at once. I always swap out at 1% "stretch" and that is now every six to seven weeks.
Is SHIMANO or KMC quality changed ??? Any ideas ???
Is SHIMANO or KMC quality changed ??? Any ideas ???
09-26-17 | 11:31 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
A few points.
You don't say whether this is MTB or road, nor anying about conditions so there's no basis for judging how well or badly you're doing.
How are you measuring? If not over a decent length using a ruler, you might be overestimating the stretch.
As far as the chain rotation method goes, you need to rotate frequently to get any benefit. Waiting until there's significant wear defeats the purpose. In your shoes, with 1500 miles chain life, I'd rotate every 300 miles or so.
Lastly, chain wear rates are a function of quality, and moving up one or two levels might get you better life, but there's no assurance that the added mine will offset the added cost. I'd start by trying to address the possible causes of the issue.
You don't say whether this is MTB or road, nor anying about conditions so there's no basis for judging how well or badly you're doing.
How are you measuring? If not over a decent length using a ruler, you might be overestimating the stretch.
As far as the chain rotation method goes, you need to rotate frequently to get any benefit. Waiting until there's significant wear defeats the purpose. In your shoes, with 1500 miles chain life, I'd rotate every 300 miles or so.
Lastly, chain wear rates are a function of quality, and moving up one or two levels might get you better life, but there's no assurance that the added mine will offset the added cost. I'd start by trying to address the possible causes of the issue.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
09-26-17 | 12:32 PM
#4
Facts just confuse people
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,375
Likes: 7,078
From: Mississippi
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
It amazes me to see people getting such poor life out of their chains. So I'm wondering if those people have strong legs and pedal in higher gears at low cadences. That probably, IMHO is putting more power and stress into the chain that will wear it out quicker. Shifting to lower gear and pedaling faster might be an answer to chain life.
09-26-17 | 12:38 PM
#5
Really Old Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,667
Likes: 1,904
From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun
Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3
How do you measure?
Chain checking tools have a reputation for being inaccurate.
Chain checking tools have a reputation for being inaccurate.
09-27-17 | 12:41 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 87
Likes: 33
From: Outdoors as much as I can
Bikes: REI's COOP AVD1.1 touring bike, TREK Excalaber 9 29" MARIN Sausalito E2 E-bike
I have been using the same steel rule for quite a while I ride a Trek 3700 on rail to trails in any weather, I do tend to have a lower cadence and am using higher and higher gears as legs have gotten stronger. Thanks to all for your informative musings on the matter.
