Checking the wear of the chain

[Webbo2]

Did the chain come from a reputable supplier?
The fact that it came via Ebay is no guarantee that it is a real KMC chain. There are plenty of fake chains and cassettes out there.

I would suggest from my experience of buying chains on eBay that is more than likely to be a fake.

 

[katiewlx]

600miles is a ridiculously low amount of miles from a chain and that one looks completely shot seeing as it's over 0.75 worn!

My wife has an ebike which has done 800miles and hardly any wear on chain so not sure what happened to yours.

they can wear depending on the type of roads (off road) & weather conditions, like I know Ill get through a chain quicker riding in winter, than during the summer, just because theres more grit/grime/muck & water that turns into that sort of paste which wrecks a chain if you dont religously clean them all the time (guilty of that).

also certainly around covid lockdowns, due to supply issues there were a bunch of low grade chains that hit the market masquerading as branded chains (ie fakes), and not via aliexpress, theyd managed to even get into the retail stores, and I think I had a chain go in 3 months, which would be around 600miles tops

 

[Binky]

they can wear depending on the type of roads (off road) & weather conditions, like I know Ill get through a chain quicker riding in winter, than during the summer, just because theres more grit/grime/muck & water that turns into that sort of paste which wrecks a chain if you dont religously clean them all the time (guilty of that).

also certainly around covid lockdowns, due to supply issues there were a bunch of low grade chains that hit the market masquerading as branded chains (ie fakes), and not via aliexpress, theyd managed to even get into the retail stores, and I think I had a chain go in 3 months, which would be around 600miles tops

A fake chain might well wear out in 600miles but the lesson here is don't buy fake chains as they are a false and potentially dangerous alternative.
A genuine chain should definitely not wear out in 600miles regardless of use unless it was used on a mtb!

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

A fake chain might well wear out in 600miles but the lesson here is don't buy fake chains as they are a false and potentially dangerous alternative.
A genuine chain should definitely not wear out in 600miles regardless of use unless it was used on a mtb!

Assuming it was from a supposedly good website and comes in what looks like proper packaging

then how do you tell?

I mean - people who use a specific brand a lot might notice the packing is slightly different
but people who use several brands probably would not if it was well done

 

[Binky]

Assuming it was from a supposedly good website and comes in what looks like proper packaging

then how do you tell?

I mean - people who use a specific brand a lot might notice the packing is slightly different
but people who use several brands probably would not if it was well done

The OP says he bought from Ebay. There's your answer!

 

[katiewlx]

Assuming it was from a supposedly good website and comes in what looks like proper packaging

then how do you tell?

I mean - people who use a specific brand a lot might notice the packing is slightly different
but people who use several brands probably would not if it was well done

certainly the "fake" I believe I ended up with came from a reputable online shop/LBS concern, but it was in the 2020/21 period when kmc chains were out of stock seemingly everywhere, or going for twice the price and they were selling these at the normal price. I cant remember if anything stood out about as different, I mean Ive seen fake Shimano components and the packaging is near identical you wouldnt notice it unless you were specifically told to look for it.

 

[Webbo2]

Assuming it was from a supposedly good website and comes in what looks like proper packaging

then how do you tell?

I mean - people who use a specific brand a lot might notice the packing is slightly different
but people who use several brands probably would not if it was well done

One of the ways to tell a fake Shimano chain is the computer code on the box is printed on the box. The real ones have a stick on label.

 

[JackStraw]

This is the box the chain came in. KMC is a Chinese brand and this is what Bosch listed in the list of original parts.

 

[JackStraw]

certainly the "fake" I believe I ended up with came from a reputable online shop/LBS concern, but it was in the 2020/21 period when kmc chains were out of stock seemingly everywhere, or going for twice the price and they were selling these at the normal price. I cant remember if anything stood out about as different, I mean Ive seen fake Shimano components and the packaging is near identical you wouldnt notice it unless you were specifically told to look for it.

I think your observation is correct. There should be a separate thread to keep track of this kind of things because I never really considered the possibility that the market of bicycle consumables like chains can be contaminated with fakes.
Buying a cheap / no-name chain is one thing but ordering an item of a known brand is another it does not matter if from eBay or somewhere else.
These days many German brands are no longer German but all Made in China. I would expect Bosch to recommend some German chain makers but I reckon there are none to be found.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have not heard of it in bikes but in cars I have heard of major brands recalling vehicles they have worked on because they found that they had a batch of duff parts
in one case I remember reading that they had gone through their normal procedure - normal suppliers and everything
and still ended up with a consignment of stuff that was dodgy

so I can see it happening to a LBS
but at least they deal with the parts far more oftenn than a normal "person with a bike" so are more likely to realise

 

[JackStraw]

I have replaced the chain to a new one and this is a side by side length comparison with the previous one.

The chain in question Is getting longer already

This is half way into the chain and longer by about half a link.
I think this is well past the chain measuring tool.

I put the new chain however it is slipping on the 3 smallest sprockets.
My initial though was that the screw is loose and the smallest sprocket set is loose and it slips under load.
Can you see this cassette being busted?

 

[Webbo2]

I have replaced the chain to a new one and this is a side by side length comparison with the previous one.
View attachment 786458
The chain in question Is getting longer already
View attachment 786459
This is half way into the chain and longer by about half a link.
I think this is well past the chain measuring tool.
View attachment 786460


I put the new chain however it is slipping on the 3 smallest sprockets.
My initial though was that the screw is loose and the smallest sprocket set is loose and it slips under load.
Can you see this cassette being busted?

View attachment 786461

View attachment 786462

Cleaning it might help.

 

[Alex321]

I have replaced the chain to a new one and this is a side by side length comparison with the previous one.
View attachment 786458
The chain in question Is getting longer already
View attachment 786459
This is half way into the chain and longer by about half a link.
I think this is well past the chain measuring tool.
View attachment 786460


I put the new chain however it is slipping on the 3 smallest sprockets.
My initial though was that the screw is loose and the smallest sprocket set is loose and it slips under load.
Can you see this cassette being busted?

View attachment 786461

View attachment 786462

If the chain is that badly worn, then the cogs you use most on the cassette will almost certainly also be knackered, and a new chain will then slip on them.

New cassette time I'm afraid.