Chain life?

[fossyant]

I've just done a full year (possibly longer) on a KMC 510HX. Just fitted a new one and it did not like the old sprocket - it's done about 4k miles. New sprocket on order . It sounded like the chain was too tight - a right racket. I generally get through 1 or two chains and a sprocket each year. chain rings can last longer, much longer.

What chain have you got. I found Izumi chains would wear in 6 months of commuting, the KMC's take a good 12 months.

You'll probably get away with the chainring though ! New sprocket and chain ! You haven't been running it too tight ?

 

[dandare]

Having ridden fixed and gears for over 50 years now I can definitely say that fixed wears chains more.

 

[simon.r]

Fixed wheel wears out a chain in my experience faster than gears or ss freewheel, there is a lot of torque going through the chain on steeper hills particularly if you are grinding a bigger gear [mine is 75"]. Also if you are leg breaking a lot this will also add to chain wear and of course winter riding wears it out quicker too.

I've been surprised that I've had to re-tension the chain on my fixed several times in the first few hundred miles. On my freewheel singlespeed I generally have to tension it once after a couple of hundred miles then it can be left alone.

 

[Smurfy]

What chain have you got. I found Izumi chains would wear in 6 months of commuting, the KMC's take a good 12 months.

It was a KMC K810. I've just replaced it with a K710.

You'll probably get away with the chainring though ! New sprocket and chain !

Having stripped it all, cleaned it properly, and had a good look, I found the sprocket was actually OK. The odd thing about the burrs on the chainring is that they're only on the right side of each tooth. I suppose that means the loading across the width of the tooth is not even. Why would that happen? Chainring and bottom bracket flex perhaps? I have ridden it up some very steep hills, and there is noticeable flexure in the bottom bracket if I lean against a wall, put the back brake on, and put all my weight on one pedal.

You haven't been running it too tight ?

I've always aimed for 1/2" deflection under firm thumb pressure. Isn't that about right? I have had it slacker, but didn't like the feel when trackstanding. However, it did take me a long time to get the chainring centred properly, so I've been riding it with tight spots for the whole time I was using the last chain. I tried the Sheldon method, but couldn't get it to work for me. The only way I could make the chainring run true was by loosening the bolts, running something against the teeth to find the high point, and gently tapping the chainring with a piece of wood. With the new chain, and a centred chainring, it now runs an awful lot smoother than before.

 

[Smurfy]

Well, I've done over 20,000 miles on my fixed and I change the chain every 2 months or so which usually equates to about 900 miles but often a lot more in summer months. The reason I do this [I'm using 3/32] is that if I leave it longer then put a new chain on it tends to be a bit noisy due to the rear cog having worn a bit.
Fixed wheel wears out a chain in my experience faster than gears or ss freewheel, there is a lot of torque going through the chain on steeper hills particularly if you are grinding a bigger gear [mine is 75"]. Also if you are leg breaking a lot this will also add to chain wear and of course winter riding wears it out quicker too.

Just wondering, how many chains do you get through before you need to replace the sprocket and chainring?

 

[totallyfixed]

Just wondering, how many chains do you get through before you need to replace the sprocket and chainring?

Never had to replace the chainring and the rear sprocket twice, but that is because I left the chain on a little too long.

 

[Boris Bajic]

Chain life?

I think my chain was already dead when I bought it.

It didn't smell bad, but it seemed to lack any vital signs.

 

[albion]

Hybrid off-road chain wear will be many times that of on road.
And surely the 'Mickle method' must push grit and dirt into the chain rollers?

It ain't simple but from reading up my knee saving riding style should alleviate much wear.

 

[Cubist]

And surely the 'Mickle method' must push grit and dirt into the chain rollers?

.

 

[totallyfixed]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is this "Mickle method?"

 

[HovR]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is this "Mickle method?"

http://www.cyclorama.net/blog/advice/51/

 

[dan_bo]

 

[Smurfy]

It seems I've been doing the "Mickle Method" for years without realising it, except I always regarded it as the "I'm too lazy to do anymore than give it a quick wipe and put a bit more oil on method".

 

[defy-one]

I ordered some GT85, but the mickle method states i shouldn't use that. What should i use???

 

[totallyfixed]

http://www.cyclorama.net/blog/advice/51/

Thank you, been doing that for 40 years or so and never knew it was called the "Mickle Method", amazing what you can find out on CC. Mick Allen must be an old chap by now, well done that man.