Elastic chain.....

[BlackPanther]

I thought I was being a bit premature measuring the chain on my new (ish) Allez. After all I've only done 750 miles on it. I was surprised it's already on the '1/16th' zone, so I've just fitted a Wippermann 808. I went for another Wippermann as I've done over 2,500 miles on the hybrid on one of these chains with no measurable 'stretch' (the original chain only lasted 2,000 miles).

Hopefully it will last as long on the Allez.

I'm wondering if the reason for the chain wear on the Allez is due to the fact that I stand on the pedals and generally put a lot more effort in, or do Specialized just fit cheap chains as standard? What distance should I expect a chain to acheive on a road bike (this is my first one) before replacing?

 

[fossyant]

Most likely a cheap chain.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Most likely a cheap chain.

+1 on that, do you know what make it was? The chain on the Kilmeston I brought last September has done just over a 1000 miles with no sign of any stretch. On the fixed I've been buying the cheap chains from the cycle stall in Coventry market, been getting about twelve months use out of a chain costing £6-£7. The stall closed down last year and so my last one came of the internet and cost about £12, it only just lasted seven months! I changed it last night, there's a small LBS near to where I work and I brought a cheap chain from there.

 

[HLaB]

Most likely a cheap chain.

+1 to that and how often do you clean your chain and what method do you use?

 

[Jezston]

Is it just me or are the chains that tend to come with bikes these days, much like the flat pedals, bloody awful?

 

[BinBag]

I thought I was being a bit premature measuring the chain on my new (ish) Allez. After all I've only done 750 miles on it. I was surprised it's already on the '1/16th' zone, so I've just fitted a Wippermann 808. I went for another Wippermann as I've done over 2,500 miles on the hybrid on one of these chains with no measurable 'stretch' (the original chain only lasted 2,000 miles).

Hopefully it will last as long on the Allez.

I'm wondering if the reason for the chain wear on the Allez is due to the fact that I stand on the pedals and generally put a lot more effort in, or do Specialized just fit cheap chains as standard? What distance should I expect a chain to acheive on a road bike (this is my first one) before replacing?

Same issue with Spez Allez 16 chain but stupidly I'd been riding with the stretched chain for months - done 2,700 miles with it. Had a quick look and it's a KMZ, so now have an upgraded chain. I could literally pick the chain off the front crank!

I didn't have a clue it was stretching on me as I didn't know what to look for. I do now!

New cassette and bottom bracket to boot! :-)

 

[BlackPanther]

+1 to that and how often do you clean your chain and what method do you use?

I've been wiping every week/100 miles, and using 'Cross Country Finish Line wet lubricant'. Now that I've fitted the Wippermann with the connex link, I'll wipe/lube every week, and remove/degrease/relube every frotnight. I think a quick release chain is pretty essential for easy and effective cleaning.

Same issue with Spez Allez 16 chain but stupidly I'd been riding with the stretched chain for months - done 2,700 miles with it. Had a quick look and it's a KMZ, so now have an upgraded chain. I could literally pick the chain off the front crank!

I didn't have a clue it was stretching on me as I didn't know what to look for. I do now!

New cassette and bottom bracket to boot! :-)

Wahey, same bike (and what a super bargain the Allez 16 is...or at least it was (2010 model.) I've replaced the chain before the sprockets have been damaged. I think the Wippermann chain is well worth the extra dosh over buying a cheapo chain. I hope my bottom bracket lasts a lot more than 2,700 miles though. Sounds like a faulty/badly adjusted one to go so early. Did the warranty not cover this as it's such a low mileage?

It really is a case of buy cheap buy twice with chains. In fact you'll probably pay 4 or 5 times over if the chain wears out the teeth.

 

[BinBag]

I've had 2700 miles out of it but a lot of that was winter riding, lots of grit and crap getting in. I've learned my lesson anyway!

 

[HLaB]

I've been wiping every week/100 miles, and using 'Cross Country Finish Line wet lubricant'. Now that I've fitted the Wippermann with the connex link, I'll wipe/lube every week, and remove/degrease/relube every frotnight. I think a quick release chain is pretty essential for easy and effective cleaning.

That's pretty rigorous, perhaps too rigorous. I've found I get better life out of a chain now I don't remove it and degrease but use a mickle like method (I use baby wipes instead of a rag and only apply lube when the chain is clean). Typically when I took the chain off and degreased I'd get 1,500 miles approx to 0.75% worn but now (not removing an degreasing) I got 3,000 miles to 0.75% on my last chain and it lasted 5,500miles in total, no snap but I replaced it anyway. I use to think that quick release chain was good but now I'm not so sure, a quick link is good for a roadside repair though.

 

[BrumJim]

I have a reputation for eating chains on my Specialized Allez 16 (2010) too. Hope there isn't a design flaw! Although a combination of canal towpath dust, heavy winter salt grit and less than perfect cleaning/regreasing may be a significant factor.

Not doing much better than 750 miles myself, and pushed the last one until it was literally unrideable, as in was jumping on all gears. Anyone want a 2nd hand chain or two?

 

[fossyant]

Day in day out riding eat's chains = commuting life. Just replace. I run fixed and I change every 6 months, it's cheaper than sprockets/chain rings.

 

[BentMikey]

Day in day out riding eat's chains = commuting life. Just replace. I run fixed and I change every 6 months, it's cheaper than sprockets/chain rings.

Not on a recumbent.

I've had ~6,500 miles out of my last two chains. Well, each chain is 2.5 normal bike chains in length...

 

[MrGrumpy]

Day in day out riding eat's chains = commuting life. Just replace. I run fixed and I change every 6 months, it's cheaper than sprockets/chain rings.

+1 on that

 

[Davidc]

I cleaned and lubed my chains yesterday (Mickle style) and thought I ought to start measuring them again.

I was horrified that the one on my Dawes Horizon was showing 0.75% wear. It's only done 650 miles!

It's a Shimano HG40 chain* so not expensive, but I think that's abysmal. I usually get about 1200 miles to that wear level. I've done a lot more hill training on this one than usual and it was on during the winter (but not ridden in the snow and ice), but it still shouldn't be that far gone yet.

As that cassette is due for replacement this time I'll probably keep the chain on until it's at 1.0% wear but that'll still be less than 1000 miles, so it must be made of the same elastic as BlackPanther's. Or should that be putty?

Am I out of order in suggesting that standard 7/8 speed chains just don't seem to last as long as they did a few years back

*it also happens to be the same as the original spec for the bike so should be fit for the job.

 

[HLaB]

Am I out of order in suggesting that standard 7/8 speed chains just don't seem to last as long as they did a few years back

Not at all. I can't say I've noticed but it wouldn't surprise me.