How come sprocket has lasted so long?

[Matty]

When I went single speed I was expecting the (only) sprocket on the back to wear reasonably quickly by virtue of the fact it's the only one doing the work. I've just arranged for a new chain, this'll be chain no.3 and thought I'd check other 2 items in the drive train. The chain ring is worn and is being replaced, the sprocket really isn't that bad, but doesn't want to be left out so is getting changed too. So that's 7300 miles on a sprocket/chain ring and roughly 3600 miles per chain. All in, I'm pretty happy with that expenditure, considering it's had best part of two winters and all grime you can throw at it.

Doubt you'd get that mileage out of a cassette, although saying that you don't really spread the load evenly among all sprockets in a cassette, rather concentrate on a couple.

Anyone gone further without needing to change?

 

[fossyant]

No - I tend to change rear sprocket at 12 months, and front chain ring when needed - only been fixed for 2.5 years, but chain ring was replaced for a fancier and bigger ring at 2 years. Change chains every 6 months.

 

[Soltydog]

I guess rear sprockets wear more by shifting when part of a cassette, so single speed reduces this & if your chainline is straight on single speed, this again must reduce wear rate

 

[Theseus]

I changed both chain ring and sprocket after about 4 years, but have been through lots of chains.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I bet you are not using the same sprocket. SS sprockets for 1/8" chains are usually around 2.8mm thick while typical cassette sprockets are more like 1.8mm.

Although the additional thickness doesn't seem that much, working life increases not just due to more material there to be worn away, but wear reduces as pressure on contact is also reduced.

 

[Smurfy]

I don't know about everyone else, but when riding a multi-geared bike I use the same 2-3 sprockets nearly all the time. In terms of wear this negates most of the advantage of having 5-8 sprockets. For 9 and 10 speed the sprockets are even thinner so the advantage is probably less than 5-8 speed.

It also depends on style of riding. When I'm commuting I know the route well, can't be bothered to expend energy pedalling downhill and use fewer gears than if I was climbing really steep hills on a tour or a day-ride.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I change cog and chain every twelve months, usually use the cheapest chain I can get. Last year I found the stall in Coventry market I was buying my chains from had closed down and I brought a more expensive chain of the internet, It barely lasted seven months. I brought a cheap replacement from The Village Cycle Centre in Nuneaton http://www.villagecyclecentre.co.uk/ and that seems OK.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

When I went single speed I was expecting the (only) sprocket on the back to wear reasonably quickly by virtue of the fact it's the only one doing the work. I've just arranged for a new chain, this'll be chain no.3 and thought I'd check other 2 items in the drive train. The chain ring is worn and is being replaced, the sprocket really isn't that bad, but doesn't want to be left out so is getting changed too. So that's 7300 miles on a sprocket/chain ring and roughly 3600 miles per chain. All in, I'm pretty happy with that expenditure, considering it's had best part of two winters and all grime you can throw at it.

Doubt you'd get that mileage out of a cassette, although saying that you don't really spread the load evenly among all sprockets in a cassette, rather concentrate on a couple.

Anyone gone further without needing to change?

What is it made of. IIRC steel cogs last far longer that Aluminium ones.

 

[Matty]

What is it made of. IIRC steel cogs last far longer that Aluminium ones.

Not sure. Good spot though.

 

[Theseus]

Not sure. Good spot though.

Does anyone make Titanium ones?

 

[Matty]

Does anyone make Titanium ones?

Yeah, that'd sort the chain out.

 

[Zoiders]

Teeth are deeper to stop the chain dropping, makes them more tolerant of wear.

 

[McrJ64]

[QUOTE 1521548"]
I have not replaced nothing on the Langster in just under two years. A wee bit of oil here and there and a couple of links taken out of the chain is all that is needed.
[/quote]


After about 1200 miles my chain has stretched so much that I would need to take a link out. I don't shorten it though, I replace it. I reckon that if it has stretched that much, it is worn out. I'm interested that you use yours even when it has stretched so much that you have to remove 2 links. That means the link pins must be worn pretty thin.

 

[Bman]

Recumbents have longer chains.

 

[Christopher]

Just to jump in here: I see that several people replace their sprockets after a certain time or number of miles. I do neither but see that the teeth on the fixed sprocket are looking like inverted Ts rather than Vs i.e the sides are getting semi-parallel. Time to replace?

Chain is well within the .75 wear mark on the chain checker and no skipping or jumping has occured yet (if it had I'd replace it). Chain and cog are both 1/8" if that makes any difference