Chain Time Frame

[norcalbiker]

I'm sure that this question was asked at least once before.

How do you know when your chain need to be replaced?

[oldpotatoe]

I'm sure that this question was asked at least once before.

How do you know when your chain need to be replaced?

Measure pin to pin 12 links..if it measures 12 1/16 inch or more-replace.

[norcalbiker]

Measure pin to pin 12 links..if it measures 12 1/16 inch or more-replace.


So if it's less, then I'm good?

[Mark McM]

Measure pin to pin 12 links..if it measures 12 1/16 inch or more-replace.

I'm sure it's just a typo, but I think oldpotatoe means "Measure pin to pin 12 pairs of links" - since the chain has a pitch (pin center to pin center) length of 1/2", 24 link (or 12 pairs) should nominally measure 12".

[Mark McM]

So if it's less, then I'm good?

Generally, yes.

The one caveat is that if you are using a "boutique" titanium or aluminum cassette, you might want to replace the chain a little before that, since these very expensive cassettes can wear out even faster when used with a worn chain.

[norcalbiker]

I'm sure it's just a typo, but I think oldpotatoe means "Measure pin to pin 12 pairs of links" - since the chain has a pitch (pin center to pin center) length of 1/2", 24 link (or 12 pairs) should nominally measure 12".

Thanks. That's what I thought he meant.

[norcalbiker]

Generally, yes.

The one caveat is that if you are using a "boutique" titanium or aluminum cassette, you might want to replace the chain a little before that, since these very expensive cassettes can wear out even faster when used with a worn chain.


No. No fancy cassette. It's Ultagra cassette.

[oldpotatoe]

I'm sure it's just a typo, but I think oldpotatoe means "Measure pin to pin 12 pairs of links" - since the chain has a pitch (pin center to pin center) length of 1/2", 24 link (or 12 pairs) should nominally measure 12".

Nope. a 'link' being an outer and inner plate=1 link.

[false_Aest]

Uhm.

Doesn't that only measure chain stretch. What about roller wear?

My solution is to forget about measure the thing. Change it every 2k-2.5k miles and forget about it.


Change more often if you are fat and mash.

Change less if you need to eat a sandwich and spin.

[Mark McM]

Nope. a 'link' being an outer and inner plate=1 link.

That's a non-standard terminology for the chain industry. How would measure this chain?

http://www.methodind.com/i//gold_half_link_close_res.jpg

[kgreene10]

Chain checker from PBK cost about $5.

[rice rocket]

That's a non-standard terminology for the chain industry. How would measure this chain?

[IMG]http://www.methodind.com/i//gold_half_link_close_res.jpg[IMG]

They make similar links like that for people converting to single/fixed gear, guess what they're called?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/half-link.jpg

Half links.




Edit: And the ironic thing is that site you stole the image from...

http://www.methodind.com/catalog/item/7169469/7341866.htm

Calls them half links as well.

:fight:

[Mark McM]

They make similar links like that for people converting to single/fixed gear, guess what they're called?

This is not the first time, and probably won't be the last, that the bicycle industry mis-applies terms.

In the industrial chain industry, this type of link is called an "offset link". Here's a diagram of a roller chain, including the standard terms used to describe the components:

http://chain-guide.com/images/fig-1.1.gif

[bart998]

Lot's of companies (Park, Pedro's, etc.) make chain stretch measuring tools. A simple way is to put the chain on the large ring. Pull on the chain at the 3 O'clock position .. If the chain is snug it's ok, -loose and sloppy, stretched.

[mcewen]

Have heard many guidelines for "chain life". Some from books, some from riders, some from mechanics. The most definitive word was from a Campagnolo USA mechanic. He said they expect 1500 miles from chains for a rider under-170, who is not a sprinter or a rider who stands climbing, and who keeps their bike reasonably clean. If you are not one or all of these things, reduce that expectation to 1200-1300 miles.

I thought this was a low number, especially since they are in San Diego. But they DO know better than I do. They did say that if you NEVER let a worn chain run on your cassette, it lasts virtually forever. One Campag rep said he had a cassette with 20,000 miles on it.

I have generally run chains for 2k-3k miles and expected to change the cassette after 3 chains.

[oldpotatoe]

That's a non-standard terminology for the chain industry. How would measure this chain?

http://www.methodind.com/i//gold_half_link_close_res.jpg


Teehee, non standard chain. I wouldn't measure it..BUT I have 2 of these I'll let go for notmuch$...

[oldpotatoe]

They make similar links like that for people converting to single/fixed gear, guess what they're called?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/half-link.jpg

Half links.




Edit: And the ironic thing is that site you stole the image from...

http://www.methodind.com/catalog/item/7169469/7341866.htm

Calls them half links as well.

:fight:


Dohhh!!!

Easy there McM..it's only a chain.

[rice rocket]

This is not the first time, and probably won't be the last, that the bicycle industry mis-applies terms.


Guess what though?

You're on a bicycle forum.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.urlesque.com/media/2010/06/1-1277407026.gif

[Joachim]

Intense.... I think I'm going to change my chain right now. It has a thingy that attaches another thingy to a thingy.

[Mark McM]

Guess what though?

You're on a bicycle forum.

Apparantly the bicycle industry doesn't follow Peter's terminology either. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo all spec. their uncut chain lengths as 114 links. I'm pretty sure that means 57", and the not the 114" they would be if they used Peter's terminology.

Besides, isn't "half-link" a perjorative term for a hobbit? (or, maybe I'm thinking of "halfling" ...)


Sometime antiquated terminology dies hard. For example, people still talk about spoke diameters in wire gauge size, even though the spoke manufacturers themselves now label spoke diameter in millimeters. I remember one case where I asked a salesman for some DT 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes. The salesman looked perplexed for a moment, and then said, "Oh, you mean 14/15 gauge spokes!" He immediately spun around and grabbed a box that was labeled "DT 2.0/1.8/2.0" - there was no wire gauge size anywhere on the box.

[oldpotatoe]

Apparantly the bicycle industry doesn't follow Peter's terminology either. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo all spec. their uncut chain lengths as 114 links. I'm pretty sure that means 57", and the not the 114" they would be if they used Peter's terminology.

Besides, isn't "half-link" a perjorative term for a hobbit? (or, maybe I'm thinking of "halfling" ...)


Sometime antiquated terminology dies hard. For example, people still talk about spoke diameters in wire gauge size, even though the spoke manufacturers themselves now label spoke diameter in millimeters. I remember one case where I asked a salesman for some DT 2.0/1.8/2.0 spokes. The salesman looked perplexed for a moment, and then said, "Oh, you mean 14/15 gauge spokes!" He immediately spun around and grabbed a box that was labeled "DT 2.0/1.8/2.0" - there was no wire gauge size anywhere on the box.


Did the OP figure out how to measure his bicycle chain? Bet he did.

[PaulE]

Uhm.

Doesn't that only measure chain stretch. What about roller wear?

My solution is to forget about measure the thing. Change it every 2k-2.5k miles and forget about it.


Change more often if you are fat and mash.

Change less if you need to eat a sandwich and spin.

Late to the game here but replace the chain more frequently if you're not much of a chain cleaner and luber and ride in a lot of messy conditions too.

And everybody knows that the chains don't really stretch, right? The pins inside the rollers and the insides of the rollers wear, causing the 12 (or 24, if you prefer) links to measure out longer than 12 inches pin to pin.

[tooonee]

Park tools has an awesome chain checker tool. Purchase one or go to the bike shop and have them check yours and ask to order the tool.