Chain Life V's Quality

[jethro10]

Is there a correlation? or does cost equate more to lightness or energy efficiency etc.

I have a friend with a cheapish bike who seems to have worn her chain out very quick from the bike being new.
It's within the limits of not damaging the cogs though
Just wondering if a dearer chain will last longer or not.

Or even if manufacturers (A Halfords Carrera MTB) fit real crap ones initially.

thanks
Jeff

 

[accountantpete]

Not quite that simple - there are some expensive lightweight bike parts that wear out quicker but the lightness more than compensates - but basically the more you pay the longer lasting it will be.

However the main thing with a chain is ensuring that you get a quality product which doesn't break leaving you stranded or worse.

 

[PpPete]

Whilst Carrera are generally one of the better spec'd of Halfords offerings they are undoubtedly made "down to a price" - so things like chain would be as low cost as possible.

Whether short life is down to low cost, or poor setup (which I believe "occasionally" happens at Halfords) is another question.

Replace it with a budget KMC brand chain (of suitable width), make sure the chainline is not wildly "off", and see how long it lasts. IMO no point buying anything more fancy for a basic MTB.

Oh and without wishing to cause any offense, check the rider understands why riding big/big or small/small is a bad idea - and is not using WD40 for "lubrication" - it doesn't.

 

[Steve Austin]

Porkypete is right. The chain on the Bike will have been very cheap so that it costs to the pricepoint Halfords want to sell it at.

KMC make really good value chains that last and don't cost the earth.

 

[jethro10]

Thanks folks. just about what i thought but nice to have it confirmed.

Ta
Jeff

 

[moolarb]

if you go for a decent brand like kmc, sram etc they will all be of similar quality, the more expensive chains will just be lighter (e.g. hollow pins)

bear in mind that the pros will use the expensive high-end chains but their priority is weight saving not longevity (they might only use the chain once).