Chris S
Legendary Member
- Location
- Birmingham
How do you know when a single-speed chain needs replacing? Will there be an adverse effect on performance?
If the bike has a chain tensioner then worn chains need much more work from it. My bike gets noisier as the chain wears. It is nice and quiet with a new chain, when the tensioner barely touches the chain...How do you know when a single-speed chain needs replacing? Will there be an adverse effect on performance?
Thanks. My bike has a 3-speed hub gear but a worn chain would have the same consequences. I haven't got a gauge so I'll just replace the chain when it starts coming off.If the bike has a chain tensioner then worn chains need much more work from it. My bike gets noisier as the chain wears. It is nice and quiet with a new chain, when the tensioner barely touches the chain...
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This is what it looks like with a slacker worn chain...
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It doesn't really make it harder to ride though!
If you didn't take up enough slack then there would be more chance of the chain coming off.
PS Yes, there ARE 2 sprockets but the smaller one is only there for the lockring to bite against! I used to tighten the ring directly against a stack of spacers but it came loose on a couple of rides.
Thanks. My bike has a 3-speed hub gear but a worn chain would have the same consequences. I haven't got a gauge so I'll just replace the chain when it starts coming off.
This is the pragmatic option given you are replacing a relatively cheap sprocket and not an expensive 11spd cassette. That was pretty much my approach on the brompton (3spd), which is effective a single speed for the purpose of this discussion.If you are happy to replace the sprocket each time, you can more or less run them both into the ground. It takes a lot to wear out the (expensive) chainring.
I haven't got a gauge so I'll just replace the chain when it starts coming off.