Cookiemonsta

Hmm it does seem like I use my chains way longer than most other people. I will look into it, possibly take some measurements to determine wear. I wonder if my conditions that I ride in have anything to do with it. I live in Holland, which means everything is completely flat and I ride on more or less ideal roads a lot of the time. I have never really been OCD about my bikes, and have to admit I am guilty of sometimes doing just the bear necessities to keep them in good working order. But maybe I am pushing it too far here.

shoemakerpom

I think that's right on the money.

hueyhoolihan

i think what is often overlooked is that is really WRONG with a a chain that measures an extra few millimeters? or whatever has been deemed "too long" as long as it works without slipping? and i don't buy any of the mumbo jumbo about eccessive chainring wear. chainrings, cogs and chains wear in proportion to oneanother, otherwise they will slip, it's that simple.

aztimm

My chain just broke this morning while out riding. Of course I was way out in BFE...

The chain had about 3500 miles on it. I take the bike for tune-ups about every 6 weeks, and about every-other is a pro-tune, when they take off the chain, do a de-grease of chain and rear cassette and do a thorough cleaning. I just had this done about 3 weeks ago, and the chain was fine.

I called for a ride home, then walked back to get the chain (I had coasted quite a way). After that, I was kinda walking the direction my ride would eventually come, when another cyclist stopped and said he had a master link. We put that on, but the chain had so much dirt on it it was so loud. I did ride about 5 miles, then waited for my ride. Took the bike to my LBS when I got home and ended up getting a new chain and rear cassette. The cassette had been original, bought the bike last year and it has about 6300 miles on it.

StanSeven

A few Jacks, some weed, and a beer or two with a keyboard doesn't mix well

ricohman

My chains last about 6-7000 kms and I have to replace them. I did get nearly 40,000 out of a cassette though.

alexaschwanden

I usually get about 3-4000 miles out of my chains.

BoSoxYacht

This is normal. I've used a KMC X10sl for 9000 miles, but I knew my cassette was/would be toasted, and I was so poor that I needed to get every last mile out of that chain&cassette.

loky1179

I just replaced my chain tonight, and it is all of about 4 or 5 months old. Winter road salt and sand trashed it out in less than 1500 miles. I'm as cheap as anyone, but you're not saving any money by trying to get xtra miles out of your chain.

dralways

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BikeMaster-M...34a7aa&vxp=mtr

https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...0S50&Type=bike

This thread has me worried about being 50 mi out and snapping my chain as I bought my bike used and the entire drive train was not kept lubed and is on its way out even though it shifts like (or near) a new bike.

I have the bike posted in the above link, which master link and tool would I need to throw in my bike bag just incase my chain were to snap? Would the one in that eBay link work?

merlinextraligh

^ that's a motorcycle chain link in the link.

A chain tool on most any mini tool will work. If you're using a shimano chain, just carry that and a new pin. or you can use one of the master links that designed for your brand chain.

Either way, you need a chain tool to remove the broken/damaged link(s)

dralways

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...w_bottom_links

I have a KMC HG50 8 speed chain on my bike. Would you mind telling me if this chain link will fit my chain? I've read the KMC missing links are unremovable and require no tools to install which is good because I don't have a mini tool yet.

It bothers me that it says 8 spd compatible in the title but not in the description.

Shimagnolo

Yes, the title is inconsisent, but 6/7/8 speeds should use the same chain width.
Note that the description says "Single-use connecting link".
That means you will need the Park MLP-1 to remove the link, because it latches when installed.
That link is similar to the SRAM 10s "PowerLock".
(Assuming we can believe the description here.)
KMC also makes a "re-usable" design similar to the SRAM 8&9s "PowerLink".

Shimagnolo

BTW The price in that Amazon link is insane.
Here are normal prices: https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...s.php?id=16793

dbascent1986

While I am the first to putting this down to low watts by the rider (ie myself), my 27 year old DB Ascent is still, I think, on its original shimano chain - I say I think because a LBS may have changed the chain without telling me (it only has visited a LBS three or four times). It does get checked for stretch and the original mechs have some gentle sharktoothing (middle chain ring) but nothing dramatic - gears run smooth - not sure total mileage but somewhere between 10, 000 and 20,000 miles

MinnMan

I take reasonably good care of my chains, cleaning and lubing about once a week and more frequently after a wet or sloppy ride, and I get about 4000 miles from Shimano 105/Ultegra/DA chains, as measured with a Parktool chain stretch tool.

I personally believe that keeping a chain for 19000 miles is penny wise and pound foolish on two counts - first the chain is likely to be doing nasty things to the teeth of both the cassette (easily replaceable) and the rings (not so easily replaceable). Second, the total amount of labor beyond normal maintenance (see above) required to save the ~$40-50 bucks/chain probably prices one's time at pennies to the hour. Sorry, but I don't have that kind of extra time to spare.

But hey, it's your time, your bike, your ride - whatever floats your boat.

armybikerider

Actually.....19,340