How many chains to use in rotation?

[Custom24]

I'm rotating chains every couple of weeks in an effort to maximise chain and cassette life on my new bike.

My question is: what's the optimum number of chains to rotate through? I was going to use 3 but I have 4 available, one of which is unused thus far. Leave it for the next cassette, or put it in the rotation now?

It's 10 speed Tiagra + chains and FSA gossamer chainrings, if that matters. Actually one of the chains is a KMC 73 chain, the others are Tiagras. All using the reusable KMC missing links.

 

[mickle]

One. Then throw it away and replace it with a new one. Life is too short for these sort of shenanegans.

 

[MikeW-71]

One. Then throw it away and replace it with a new one. Life is too short for these sort of shenanegans.

^ That.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Seriously? Where did you read/get told about crap like that? As above, one.

 

[Shadowfax]

Seriously? Where did you read/get told about crap like that? As above, one.

Probably on cycle chat its full of twats don't yers know ?

 

[marzjennings]

So by rotating 4 chains evenly to extend their life you're going to end up with 4 chains and maybe a cassette to change all at the same time.

Much easier to just keep one chain and replace when worn.

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Two or three if your being sensible. Every two weeks is ludicrous unless it
fits into a cleaning regime you have. I'd say rotate 3 chains every 2 - 6
months to a year depending on your mileage.

You then replace all chains and the rear to save the front. The front
will survive 9 chains and 3 rears, and work with a new chain, but
you can recycle all the old stuff, so the front never sees new,
and never needs replacing.

rgds, sreten.

 

[Custom24]

Seriously? Where did you read/get told about crap like that? As above, one.

I can't remember. I read it somewhere, thought to myself "that makes sense", and decided I would try it on my new bike since I'd had problems on the old one.

Oh well, it's not a big deal since it's a 2 minute job to swap the chains, having the chain off makes cleaning of the rest of the bike easier, and I can't see any way it will make anything wear out quicker than it would have done otherwise, so I'll keep it up now that I've started.