Chainring replacement frequency
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Florida
Bikes: Colnago CLX,GT Karakoram,Giant Revel, Kona Honk_ Tonk
Chainring replacement frequency
Im curious, how frequently do you change out your chainring? Obviously the answer is when it's worn out. Do you get a certain amount of mileage or the number of times you replace your chain. Ex after two chain replacements is your chainring at its changeout time?
#2
Non omnino gravis
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: SoCal, USA!
Bikes: Nekobasu, Pandicorn, Lakitu
I got just shy of 18,000 miles out of a Praxis Works big ring (which was a 48T, I dunno if that makes any difference.) At that point, it had a handful of chipped/bent teeth, so shifting was either fine, or not fine. Probably could have extended it's life with some filing-- the teeth weren't getting that "shark-tooth" shape and it wasn't aggressively wearing out chains, but I just took it as an opportunity to replace it.
I only have about 8,500 miles on my RaceFace narrow-wide, and 3,000 on the Praxis Works compact on the other bike-- so replacement for those is quite a long way off.
I only have about 8,500 miles on my RaceFace narrow-wide, and 3,000 on the Praxis Works compact on the other bike-- so replacement for those is quite a long way off.
#5
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Since I re-trained to more of a spinner than masher, I can get a lot of wear out of each drivetrain. Of course steel rings help too. The ratio I'm getting is something like 3 cassettes/chains for each crankset. It'd probably be more if I replaced chains more often.
#6
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
If you keep your drivetrain reasonably clean, a decent chainring will last many many years. I would say several years and in terms of mileage, 30,000+ miles. Maybe even twice that.
FYI, I get about 3000 miles from a chain, 10,000 from a cassette, to give you context.
FYI, I get about 3000 miles from a chain, 10,000 from a cassette, to give you context.
Last edited by datlas; 11-09-18 at 06:47 AM.
#9
I start inspecting chainrings for wear at about the 12,000 mile mark. I had one Ultegra chainring last over 20,000 miles. It never went "sharktooth" or lost any teeth. It just wore more deeply -- beyond the round ridge that, originally, was at the base of the teeth. The effective diameter of the ring was worn smaller.
#10
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Joined: Mar 2018
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From: North Carolina
I have over 7,000 miles in higher mile bike with a Praxis big ring (46 cross bike) and it shows no signs of wear yet. Probably one of the cheapest per mile replacement item on the bike I'd imagine. I have changed the chain on that bike just once and the cassette is still going strong as well. The "general" rule of thumb I've heard is every 3 chains replace the cassette, every 2-3 cassettes replace the rings, assuming you clean & lube the chain regularly. Unless shifting is poor, obviously, then replace immediately.
#12
#13
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From: New Hampshire
Bikes: Motobecane Vent Noir, Lynskey R345, Serotta Nova Special X
Watch chain wear and change before it's too far gone. I destroyed a set of 6800 chain rings by not paying attention to how worn the chain was.
When working at a bike shop a few years ago I this came in. New everything!

When working at a bike shop a few years ago I this came in. New everything!

#15
just another gosling


Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
I usually get about 3 cassettes worth of mileage out of the middle ring on my triple. The other rings last much longer, being less used. And about 3 chains per cassette, so about 9 chains per ring. To reduce ring wear, ride more in your bigger ring. More teeth = less ring wear and less chain wear because of reduced chain tension. I wear the big ring more on our tandem because it has a bigger cassette and thus I tend to ride in the big ring and larger cogs which equals less front shifting. On my road single, the cassette is much smaller and I mostly ride in the middle ring, a 39T.
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#17
just another gosling


Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
California riders will get very different results from those in the PNW who ride year 'round. If the OP is looking for information, good to check location.
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#18
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From: West Orange County, CA
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#19
Old Legs

Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Mass.
Bikes: '80 Strayvaigin, '84 Ciocc Aelle-Shimano 105, '90 Concorde Astore /Campy Triple ,85 Bridgestone 500/Suntour, 2005 Jamis Quest, 2017 Raleigh Merit 1, Raleigh Carbon Clubman
Never, got bikes from early 80's. Always replaced chain before wear, and before I knew how to measure, new chains on an annual basis . Over the pass few years, I've upgraded chainrings and chain sets, to alter my gearing, but original rings are still good. KB
#21
I replaced my big ring at about 20k miles, more out of a feeling that it was "time" than any obvious need, since it seemed to be working fine and looked just a little worn. Still haven't replaced my inner ring, looks fine after 30k miles. Crank is SRAM Apex 50/34, fwiw.
#22
just another gosling


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From: Everett, WA
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
I replace a ring when it goes THUNK THUNK THUNK when I hit it out of the saddle. Or I get sick of filing off burrs which cause chain suck.
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#24
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From: Sunny so. cal.
I run a 1x and change out the chainring every 8 months to a year--remember, it's one ring doing all the work. My gauge is when I start to drop chains. I've used Race Face and Wolf Tooth and the WT def outlasts the RF.
#25
Soft aluminum granny rings wear out fairly quickly, luckily nobody uses them anymore.
That is the only example I can think of, other than extreme drivetrain mismanagement or neglect.
Chainrings tend to last longer than any other wear item.
That is the only example I can think of, other than extreme drivetrain mismanagement or neglect.
Chainrings tend to last longer than any other wear item.






