mike868y

Hey everyone, I've had my roadbike since mid summer last year and have put a decent amount of miles on it (estimated about 4,500 but I could be off. I ride almost 200mi/week during the spring/summer) plus a winter full of roller riding. I was wondering how long I should expect my chain, cassette and chainrings to last. I was going to get a new seatpost, stem and handlebars, however, my chainrings are starting to look a little worn (I'm not really sure though), so I was wondering if it is nearing time to replace them.

Also, should I just go with Shimano casssette and chain and FSA (crank OEM) chainrings? Or is there a cheaper alternative out there (its a 9spd set up)? And how much should I expect this "upgrade" to cost me?

brian416

It will vary from person to person, but my DA chains get worn out around 2000 miles, My cassette has more than 9000 miles on it and is still fine.

mike868y

So you don't need to replace everything at once? From my experience in motocross, it is best to replace chain/sprockets at once in order to maximize life, however, this could be different on road bikes.

When installing new cables, a friend did note that my cassette "rings" had sort of a wave to them. I didn't look, but this almost sounds like a sign of wear, idk.

Other than that, I haven't noticed any real signs of wear yet except for an odd "feel" at one point in the pedal stroke. However, this may be due to loose pedals or crank, so I have yet to narrow it down to the drivetrain.

cheval

I'm guessing- Your chain should have been changed 2000 miles ago- waiting too long to replace a stretched chain has ruined your cassette. Your chain ring is likely OK.

terrymorse 

My rules:

1. Whenever I replace a rear tire, I check the chain length. More times than not, it also needs replacing.

2. If the newly installed chain skips under load, I replace the cassette. This is a rare occurrence with steel cogs.

3. I almost never replace the chainrings. Maybe once every 25,000 miles.

terrymorse 

My rules:

1. Whenever I replace a rear tire, I check the chain length. More times than not, it also needs replacing.

2. If the newly installed chain skips under load, I replace the cassette. This is a rare occurrence with steel cogs.

3. I almost never replace the chainrings. Maybe once every 25,000 miles. But chain suck is a sign that it's time for new rings.

mike868y

Maybe I'm wrong, however this may be what I am experience when pedaling. It almost feels as if the chain is skipping slightly on the rear cogs.

So, you guys are recommending me to change out the chain/cassette and leave the chainrings? Good news, those are the most expensive haha.

How would I go about checking the chain for wear in the future so that I do not wear out another cassette with a stretched chain? Also, how hard is it to install a chain?

Also, what chain should I get? Should I just get another Tiagra one, or go with a SRAM or a Dura-Ace/XTR 9 Speed?

LazurusTaxa

Check out Sheldon Brown's site for a great explination on when to replace drivetrain components:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

You probably need to replace the chain, and likely the most used cogs on your cassette.

Norcal_Cyclist

I'm probably overly OCD about maintenance, but I replace the chain every time I replace the rear tire. The first few times I checked, it was close enough to take care of all "major maintenance" at the same time. So for me (150-155 lbs/42 yrs old/non-racer/distance rider & climber), about ever 2000-3000 miles I replace the rear tire and chain. My cassette tends to wear slowly due to the fresh lubed chains, so I can get around 10k-12k per cassette. Front chain rings (big ring especially) showed wear and needed replacing at 10k +/- miles. Both RD and FD are fine.

saratoga

Chain: ~1,800 to 2,000 miles. Shifting usually becomes delayed or noisy- almost like when the rear derailleur is out of adjustment. 3 sometimes 4X per year, almost once per quarter.

Cassette: Whenever the chain skips on one of the 2-3 most used sprockets. They're hard to check for wear just by looking at because some cassettes have funky tooth patterns and shapes to make shifting easier. I usually get 2 years out of a cassette. YMMV.

It's not like an MX bike with a 50 hp engine and sandy conditions wearing the rear sprocket down constantly.

merlinextraligh

I've found that Dura Ace cassettes are generally good for about 3 chains. Of course it depends on how often you replace the chain, how often you clean it, the conditions you ride in, and even how much you use the larger cogs.

oilman_15106

Chain on my 10 speed DA equipped bike lasted 1691 miles. Stories of 10 speed chains wearing out at 500 miles on BF. Thinner is better?

Have 3000 miles on 9 speed chains with no signs of wear.

haimtoeg

Before you replace the cassette check your rear derailleur adjustments and cable tension, they can be another reason for cassette skipping.

I replace Campy chains every 1500 miles, and cassettes every 4-5 chains.

mike868y

So clearly I'm well overdue for a chain lol. I think I'm going to throw a SRAM PG-970 (probably a 12-26. I'm on a 11-25 right now, but can't find that same combo and I don't want to loose the climbing gear) cassette and a SRAM PC-971 chain on it and see how everything works out. I shouldn't need to replace the chainrings though.