What follows is not (chain) BREAKING NEWS.

I put a new chain on the bike today, and I enjoyed it.

The chain I replaced had hit 4,000 miles, and I was keeping an eye on it. It could have gone farther; not yet at 1/16 wear, but I got caught in the rain the other day and thought, I can lube this chain or just change it. At 4K, I had no complaints, and I had a new chain in the on-deck circle, so, new chain!

I broke a few links off the newbie and installed it with a Wippermann link I had wanted to try, the Lexus of Links. It's nice! Easy-on, and I suppose easy-off too. It comes in a little box with instructions in six languages on a sheet folded to a square inch, and is directional, so get it right.

On its premiere ride, the chain was smooth and quiet, shifting perfectly... just like the previous chain. I had hoped to spot a difference, thinking that the new chain would be stiffer laterally or something, but I really couldn't say. But knowing that I had a new chain gave me that feeling that I always get on the first ride after lubing the drivetrain, that it's like a new bike, or that I'm faster and cooler, the superior knowledge of diligent maintenance. All of that is BS, but fun anyway.

After a hundred miles I'll remove the perfectly fine factory lube and replace it with the Best Chain Lube Ever I have selected from the many best lubes available, and crank off for another 4,000 miles. If that Wippermann link gives me any grief I'll let you know.

Sometimes the joy returns to being able to ride a bike that the chain performs as it should, doesn't skip or drop off at the worst of times. Or sometimes, it's just the one little NEW thing you need to make your day... I've been there, and for no otehr good reason than the chain was new...

A new chain is like getting your car washed. It may not run any better but it feels better.

fify lol