Crank & Cassette - how to tell when worn?

[Lambchop]

I have a 10 year old Dawes Comp Giro with a Sora/105 mix as my winter and general beater.

How can I tell if the cranks and cassette need replacing? Will the teeth be worn on the edges?

It rides perfectly and the gear change seems quicker and smoother than my other bike with 2010 Ultegra groupset!

What would the first tell tale signs of components starting to fail/wear?

Cheers.

 

[Garz]

Gears slipping and rattley noises like your inbetween would be a couple.

 

[TheDoctor]

You can use a chain measuring tool like this one from a well-known internet retailer.
Or measure 24 links of chain with a steel rule - Sheldon has the guide on this.

Either way, if the chain is really shot it will have taken the cassette and rings with it

 

[andyhunter]

odd sounds such as clicking or grinding is a give away, aslong with gears not shifiting correctly or chain slipping etc. with cranks if the arm keeps coming off then checking bb bracket and crank arm for wear.

 

[The Eighth Man]

I change my chain around once a year just to be on the safe side, that is about once every 3000 miles, it never needs changing but it makes me feel better. I always change the cables at the same time, I do it just before winter