When to replace chain?
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2008
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When to replace chain?
I have around 3200 miles on a Dahon D7 I bought one year ago. I regularly oil it every 150 miles or so. Shifting still seems fine, so when should I replace it? If it ain't broke, should I still fix it?
#3
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Boston Area
Bikes: Univega Gran Turismo, Guerciotti, Bridgestone MB2, Bike Friday New World Tourist, Serotta Ti
+1 on the measurement
It's hard to go just by mileage. 3200 miles without rain, dust, sand, or other crud might be just fine. My commuter bike, which sees a lot of rain, dust, etc. seems to need replacing every 1000-1500 miles.
Speedo
It's hard to go just by mileage. 3200 miles without rain, dust, sand, or other crud might be just fine. My commuter bike, which sees a lot of rain, dust, etc. seems to need replacing every 1000-1500 miles.
Speedo
#6
multimodal commuter
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: NJ, NYC, LI
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Each link of the chain should be 1/2", so 24 of them should be 12". Try it. If 12 links measure more than 12 1/2" or so, you might think about changing the chain.
A worn chain doesn't seat properly in the teeth of the cogs, which isn't good for the teeth. After 1500 miles or so the chain on my Downtube Mini was so worn that it could unseat itself from the rear cog. Tightening the chain, by moving the wheel back in the dropouts, didn't solve the problem. When it got so bad the chain would come off every couple of miles, I changed the chain; and that solved the problem.
Obviously, if you have this problem, you should change your chain. If you're not having a problem, it's less urgent.
A worn chain doesn't seat properly in the teeth of the cogs, which isn't good for the teeth. After 1500 miles or so the chain on my Downtube Mini was so worn that it could unseat itself from the rear cog. Tightening the chain, by moving the wheel back in the dropouts, didn't solve the problem. When it got so bad the chain would come off every couple of miles, I changed the chain; and that solved the problem.
Obviously, if you have this problem, you should change your chain. If you're not having a problem, it's less urgent.
#7
On a chain, maintenance is the most important aspect. Check this out>
https://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html
#8
Dis Member
Joined: Oct 2006
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I am interested in what Makeinu would say about this, since he declared
For me I'd go with the mentioned method, that of measuring the chain. And yes, do clean and lubricate your chain regularly.
For me I'd go with the mentioned method, that of measuring the chain. And yes, do clean and lubricate your chain regularly.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 219
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I chuck a chain sooner rather than later. The cogs last longer that way.
A chain wear measuring is quite cheap and is worthwhile if you do a lot of cycling.
I'm a great believer in Purple Extreme. It lasts and isn't dirty.
A chain wear measuring is quite cheap and is worthwhile if you do a lot of cycling.
I'm a great believer in Purple Extreme. It lasts and isn't dirty.





