Chains....

[Deerfoot]

..how long exactly do they last?

I was out earlier for my end of week ride (20 miles around the Woodford valley in Wilts) when it occured to me that my present chain has probably covered around 4,000 miles.

I`ve got a Shimano Deore LX drive set up front and rear and it still changes gear really well and I had the bike serviced around 3 years ago .

It`s a Scott hardtail MTB and to be honest I`m looking at getting a road bike in the spring. Is it worth getting it changed or shall I just weather out the winter with my present one?

[Jimbo.]

Check it for wear, ditto the cassette, chainrings and jockey wheels. If they're fine, leave them. If they're shagged, but working fine, leave them

[Vladimir]

Very good going. At one point when cycling 3-5 times a week in Winter, mostly off road, I was getting through chains. cassettes and chainrings in a matter of a few months. I always had to have a spare new set of each ready for the next drivetrain change. And I REALLY look after my bikes too!

Luckily (for my pocket), I ride a lot less now and stuff is lasting rather longer!

[rhinochopig]

Deerfoot said:

..how long exactly do they last?

I was out earlier for my end of week ride (20 miles around the Woodford valley in Wilts) when it occured to me that my present chain has probably covered around 4,000 miles.

I`ve got a Shimano Deore LX drive set up front and rear and it still changes gear really well and I had the bike serviced around 3 years ago .

It`s a Scott hardtail MTB and to be honest I`m looking at getting a road bike in the spring. Is it worth getting it changed or shall I just weather out the winter with my present one?

If you change anything now it is more than likely to jump like buggery. Leave it well alone if it works otherwise you'll likely face the cost of new chain, cassette and rings. At that mileage the whole drive-train will be well and truly keyed in.

[Deerfoot]

Excellent gents.

I'll persevere with it over the winter.

[Justin S]

Get a Park Chain checker and check it. Its more than likely knackered, but best to get the winter out of it and replace with new and then regulary use the chain checker.

[Furberger]

How is it knackered if its working? Because you're tool says 1 instead of .75?

[uncinqsix]

Furberger said:

Because you're tool says 1 instead of .75?

That's not a very nice thing to say.



You can also use a ruler to measure wear - there are instructions towards the bottom of this page: http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

[Deerfoot]

uncinqsix said:

That's not a very nice thing to say.



You can also use a ruler to measure wear - there are instructions towards the bottom of this page: http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

Thanks for that link. Excuse the pun....

[okgo]

Deerfoot said:

Thanks for that link. Excuse the pun....

It wasn't a pub just poor grammar on your part.

The tool I have says that you should replace at 0.75...