Drive Train Replacement?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Suwanee, GA
Bikes: 1978 Motobecane Le Champion Fixed Conversion, 2009 Surly Long Haul Trucker
Drive Train Replacement?
OK! So, my bike is about 2 months old and has around 2,100 miles on it. I used a Park chain checker and it says my chain is in need of replacement. At this point throwing a new chain on will definitely cause some wicked chatter as the chainrings and cassette are showing signs of worn teeth. So should I
A) Suck it up and replace the entire drive train every 2 months or so? EXPENSIVE
B) Replace JUST the chain and the big chainring because that is the one that shows the most wear and I use the most. Allow for chatter when in other gears until the chain wears in on the old gears.
C) Ride it till it doesn't work and then replace it all.
Opinions?
A) Suck it up and replace the entire drive train every 2 months or so? EXPENSIVE
B) Replace JUST the chain and the big chainring because that is the one that shows the most wear and I use the most. Allow for chatter when in other gears until the chain wears in on the old gears.
C) Ride it till it doesn't work and then replace it all.
Opinions?
Last edited by patgoral; 05-12-09 at 09:40 PM.
#2
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 30
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
And the amount of cogs in the back = ?
If you're running 7/8 speed, i'd just hit that **** into the ground, cogs = $20, chain = $10, waste more time thinking about it. If you're riding expensive **** then it's your call i'd say. How much is chain replacement worth? Chain AND cogs?
If you're running 7/8 speed, i'd just hit that **** into the ground, cogs = $20, chain = $10, waste more time thinking about it. If you're riding expensive **** then it's your call i'd say. How much is chain replacement worth? Chain AND cogs?
#4
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Bay Area, Calif.
Replace the chain. If you find that the new chain slips on the old cassette then replace the cassette as well. It would be quite unusual for a chainring to be worn in only a couple thousand miles - note that the rings frequently have some of the teeth made with a different shape to facilitate better shifting.
Although the rate of wear is very dependent on your riding style and conditions here's what I find to be typical lifetimes for the different components; chains: 4000 miles, cassettes: 15000 miles, chainring: 100,000 miles.
Although the rate of wear is very dependent on your riding style and conditions here's what I find to be typical lifetimes for the different components; chains: 4000 miles, cassettes: 15000 miles, chainring: 100,000 miles.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,104
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From: Athens, Ohio
Bikes: Custom Custom Custom
I highly doubt your rings are worn out.
try replacing your chain and see if it skips. if it does, put your old chain back on and ride the drivetrain to the ground then replace the rings, cassette and chain
try replacing your chain and see if it skips. if it does, put your old chain back on and ride the drivetrain to the ground then replace the rings, cassette and chain
#6
cab horn

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 28,353
Likes: 30
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Replace the chain. If you find that the new chain slips on the old cassette then replace the cassette as well. It would be quite unusual for a chainring to be worn in only a couple thousand miles - note that the rings frequently have some of the teeth made with a different shape to facilitate better shifting.
Although the rate of wear is very dependent on your riding style and conditions here's what I find to be typical lifetimes for the different components; chains: 4000 miles, cassettes: 15000 miles, chainring: 100,000 miles.
Although the rate of wear is very dependent on your riding style and conditions here's what I find to be typical lifetimes for the different components; chains: 4000 miles, cassettes: 15000 miles, chainring: 100,000 miles.
#7
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 156
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From: Suwanee, GA
Bikes: 1978 Motobecane Le Champion Fixed Conversion, 2009 Surly Long Haul Trucker
Ok, so I just threw on a new chain a Sram 9 speed PC 991. There is a massive chatter as I ride, It happens in all 3 chainrings and all 9 cogs in the rear. It is very loud, what would this mean?
#8
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 910
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From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: A beautiful columbus steel frame, 1986 Schwinn Voyageur touring bike, Currently Undergoing Overhaul
These numbers don't add up . . . a) 2100 miles in 2 months? You are a better man than me b) What is the chatter? I've previously rode on the same chain for 18 years and it didn't make a sound. Are your FD and RD adjusted properly? Hubs, etc?
My new SRAM chain doesn't make a peep, I'm not sure it is your chain. There is skipping, and then there is noise. I don't see why a properly lubricated and cared for chain shouldn't last at least a full year. Is this a cyclocross bike or something?
My new SRAM chain doesn't make a peep, I'm not sure it is your chain. There is skipping, and then there is noise. I don't see why a properly lubricated and cared for chain shouldn't last at least a full year. Is this a cyclocross bike or something?
#9
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Loveland, CO
Bikes: Cervelo Rouvida x 2
Did you ever stop riding to clean and lube the chain? If you plan on ridng that much every month, you should move up to some decent quality parts that don't wear so quickly.
I'd like to see a picture of the worn big ring. It should take at least 10 times that mileage to wear one out. Cheap chains and sprockets could wear out that fast, particularly if ridden in nasty conditions with insufficient maintenance.
A Park chain checker is a poor tool for measuring chain wear. It can report twice the actual elongagation, or more.
I'd like to see a picture of the worn big ring. It should take at least 10 times that mileage to wear one out. Cheap chains and sprockets could wear out that fast, particularly if ridden in nasty conditions with insufficient maintenance.
A Park chain checker is a poor tool for measuring chain wear. It can report twice the actual elongagation, or more.
#10
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Suwanee, GA
Bikes: 1978 Motobecane Le Champion Fixed Conversion, 2009 Surly Long Haul Trucker
I don't know why, but this new chain is RIDICULOUSLY loud non stop. I'm going to put the old chain back on and just deal with it. I clean and lube my entire drivetrain once-twice a week. The original chain is a SRAM 9speed chain and the chainrings are sugino.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,239
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From: Bay Area, Calif.
To operator:
You seem to understand how a bicycle drivetrain wears but toss in worthless numbers, wtf?




