How long should chains and cassettes last?
Discussion
Was it actually demonstrating any problems?
My road bike has done nearly 4k all weeather miles on the same chain + cassette and isn't giving any grief yet.
My MTBs, a lot lot less. Riding in grinding paste ive destroyed a chainring inside 500 miles, but even then I just replaced that ring, not the whole cassette or chain.
My road bike has done nearly 4k all weeather miles on the same chain + cassette and isn't giving any grief yet.
My MTBs, a lot lot less. Riding in grinding paste ive destroyed a chainring inside 500 miles, but even then I just replaced that ring, not the whole cassette or chain.
oyster said:
Does seem odd. I've probably put about 1200 miles on that chain/cassette.
On a previous bike, the chain and cassettes happily did nearly 15,000 miles before there were signs of slippage.
If it's not causing any problems, leave it. I think it's standard procedure to "suggest" cassette and chain replacement at every bike service ("new pads and discs, Sir" but for bikes). On a previous bike, the chain and cassettes happily did nearly 15,000 miles before there were signs of slippage.
I've changes cassettes twice on my commuting hack in 10,000 miles but am unconvinced that they really needed doing.
okgo said:
When one of them snaps? 
I've done god knows how many miles on my commuter and it still works fine. Probably 6000 miles this year on the same chain/block, both cheap s
t so when one of them goes I'll replace both.
That happened to a guy on my commute when pulling away from the lights, haha. He wasn't even pulling away particularly hard. Since my commuter is a single speed and the rear sprocket and chain are cheap, I'll replace when it looks worn. I'd rather it didn't snap on me since I couldn't shorten it to get home I've done god knows how many miles on my commuter and it still works fine. Probably 6000 miles this year on the same chain/block, both cheap s
t so when one of them goes I'll replace both.
okgo said:
When one of them snaps?
I've done god knows how many miles on my commuter and it still works fine. Probably 6000 miles this year on the same chain/block, both cheap st so when one of them goes I'll replace both.
On any bike but my race bike this ^^ is my theory. The last chain I replaced was an Ultegra one that snapped after maybe 5000 miles in the most awful weather with very little care. I was so disgusted I almost wrote a letter of complaint to Shimano. I refused to replace the cassette which is still going strong 10 months and 5000 miles later. I agree that its a racket. Most people should get years and years out of a chain and cassette with just the smallest of maintenance. I've done god knows how many miles on my commuter and it still works fine. Probably 6000 miles this year on the same chain/block, both cheap s
t so when one of them goes I'll replace both.Rocksteadyeddie said:
Most people should get years and years out of a chain and cassette with just the smallest of maintenance.
But if you replace your chain at the right time, then you won't wear down the cassette anywhere near as much as if you leave it to the last possible moment.The wear on the cassette happens when you use a worn chain. From my experience if you use a chain wear indicator and replace when is says you should, your cassette will last FAR longer.
Standard ex bike-shop mechanix answer.
Buy a chain wear gauge.
Use it.
Replace your chain more often. Make your cassette and chainrings last much longer.
As above - its the 'baggy' chain that causes the rings and sprockets to wear.
Another common way to do it for regular riders is to have two chains, one at home soaking/cleaning, one on the bike.
Swap weekly. Reduces overall wear a lot.
Its not unknown for bikes of only a few months old to come in needing new chain and cassette and its not always just a mechanic drumming up business.
People who commute, perhaps along the same (easy-ish) route every day, all weathers, using only one front chainring and maybe 2 or 3 sprockects of the cassette can do a lot of wear in not that long.
Buy a chain wear gauge.
Use it.
Replace your chain more often. Make your cassette and chainrings last much longer.
As above - its the 'baggy' chain that causes the rings and sprockets to wear.
Another common way to do it for regular riders is to have two chains, one at home soaking/cleaning, one on the bike.
Swap weekly. Reduces overall wear a lot.
Its not unknown for bikes of only a few months old to come in needing new chain and cassette and its not always just a mechanic drumming up business.
People who commute, perhaps along the same (easy-ish) route every day, all weathers, using only one front chainring and maybe 2 or 3 sprockects of the cassette can do a lot of wear in not that long.
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