Bloke in the bike shop reckons chains last 3000 miles.

[gbb]

1200 miles (give or take) on each of my last three or four chains. It never really varies that much, i clean and lube regularly, and it doesnt matter what make, SRAM, KMC, Shimano, they all last the same for me.
I did used to use a chain checker, which some people say over-indicate wear, it may be true, my Bianchi's had three chains on one cassette..and its still going with no problems.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Sometimes I'd get 2 or 300 miles out of the Brompton chains, kmc iirc. But that was in winter and the drive system is really low to the ground.

 

[Matthew_T]

I have covered 7000 miles on my last chain.

 

[HLaB]

1200 miles (give or take) on each of my last three or four chains. It never really varies that much, i clean and lube regularly, and it doesnt matter what make, SRAM, KMC, Shimano, they all last the same for me.
I did used to use a chain checker, which some people say over-indicate wear, it may be true, my Bianchi's had three chains on one cassette..and its still going with no problems.

What cassettes are you running IMLE I think that might be the place to gain. Ive had 3 chains out of Veloce and SRAM cassettes but never from a Shimano.

 

[totallyfixed]

None of these are really comparable, quite apart from different makes, sizes of rings, how much time spent on one sprocket, weather conditions, maintenance etc etc etc. Can't remember when I last changed the cassette on my geared bike, on my fixed I will get through 5 or 6 chains per year [6 - 8000 miles]. The front chain ring on my fixed has done 35,000 miles and still looks ok although the cranks are at last wearing out.

 

[Beebo]

I'm quite hard on chains. Most of my cycling is stop start commuting in all weathers, I get just over 1000 miles out of a 10 speed, but change it at 0.75. I don't clean the chain much either. So I pay £30 every ten weeks, that's not a bad price to pay, the train would cost me £50 a week.

 

[Moodyman]

3000 miles is good. I only get 1600 miles per chain. 3 x 8 speed transmission with kmc chains. Hilly commutes and I is a big lad so chains take abuse.

 

[numbnuts]

I sit and spin and my rides are 98% in in dry weather and I clean my chain a lot and I get 6500 miles out of a chain.

 

[MattHB]

How Long is a Piece of String

Twice the length from the middle

 

[mickle]

With good chain maintenance and replacement every 2000 miles a cassette and set of rings will last a decade.

 

[jazzkat]

I've just checked the mileage on my bike (10sp 105). I've just put the fourth chain on. At just over 9000 miles that means approx 3000 per chain, I am fanatical about cleaning my bike and the chain will often get a thorough clean after every ride
I change it as soon as it reaches the limit (measured using sheldons 1/16" method) and have no noticable wear on my original cassette or chainrings.

I'm not sure how I'd get more miles out of my chain? Maybe if I moved to a less hilly part of the country.

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

Do belt drives ever need replacing?

 

[DWiggy]

I thoroughly clean and oil my chain once a week, doing about 140 mile per week in ALL weathers and a chain usually lasts around 1.5-2k miles, I always have to replace the cassette as well, so guessing I could do with a chain measuring tool.

 

[BSRU]

Just about to change the 105 chain on my Secteur, after 3000 miles, it is just passing the 0.75 check with my chain wear indicator.

 

[HLaB]

Do belt drives ever need replacing?

It appears so from the Gates web site:

What is the life of the system?
In laboratory testing, the Carbon Drive System lasts more than twice the life of chain. Chains are often replaced due to stretch and wear rather than actual failure. The Carbon Drive belt does not stretch, so the smooth running performance remains consistent throughout its life. Abrasive environments can accelerate wear of all bike components. For maximum durability, rinse off your belt drive after sandy / gritty ride.