Active Community: Message List - When is it time to get a new chain

Re: When is it time to get a new chain

guest — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:41:55 GMT

Hi Tom -

I just published an article by Lennard Zinn at VeloNews about this subject.

Check it out:

http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Tech-Talk-When-to-Replace-Your-Chain.htm

It pretty much says the same thing as the answer you found, but offers some tools to help you get the measuring job done.

- Jesse

Re: When is it time to get a new chain

guest — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:17:05 GMT

I found a good answer:

How Often to Replace Chains

The rule of thumb is you should replace your chain BEFORE a foot of chain has stretched to the point where it is a foot and one eight of an inch.

Checking this is Simple:

Shift to the big-big gear combination. (Gives a nice long place to measure).
Lay your bike on its left side.
Lay a one foot ruler or tape on the top run of chain such that the Zero mark is dead center in one of the chain pins. Hold it there very steady.
Check the other end of the ruler. On a new chain it will be dead center on another chain pin.
If the chain pin center is less than 1/16th beyond the end of the ruler it's OK.
Between a 16th and an 8th, you should think about changing the chain at the earliest convenience.
If the chain pin center is 1/8th of an inch beyond the end of the ruler it is past time to change your chain.

You may get anywhere from 2000 miles to 20,000 miles on a bike chain before it needs replacement. It all depends on how much grit and dirt accumulate on the chain and your style of pedaling.

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/HowTo/ChangeAChain.htm

Tom

goodtri.org

When is it time to get a new chain

guest — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:58:09 GMT

I bought a used Trek 2500 Alpha SL a couple years ago and have since put about 1,500 miles on it. I clean the chain with ProLink lube, but the chain is still a bit rusty, but seems to work fine..Is there a recommended number of miles you should get out of a chain?

Thanks,

Tom

goodtri.org