I've heard of the P******e Fairy but the chain fairy?

[simon the viking]

yesterday I was in my LBS discussing chain wear and we decided that after 1500 miles I must be near (or already at) the point of no return before my chain starts to wear my cassette (10 speed Tiagra) and I said I would take it in, in a week or so to get a new chain........

This morning on the way to work.... half a mile from home chain snapped.... I hadn't even got my bike with me yesterday in the LBS so the chain couldn't have heard.....

So I pushed it home and it was bundled in to the boot and hopefully I will get it sorted today.... I had a got a chain tool on me but I couldn't be bothered at 7.20 to pee about with it taking a link out....

 

[oldroadman]

Wind the clock back a few years and chains lasted ages when properly maintained. That being the era of 6-7 speed blocks (before cassettes). Now the standard is at least 9, usually 10 speed cassettes and chains have got slimmer and slimmer. Does this account for braekages at low mileages? My old training bike in the "dark days" would be covering upwards of 2,000 km a month pre-season, change the cahin every two months or so, no problem. This on 7-8 speed. At races, team mechanics are always changing chains, rarely longer than 2-3 weeks intervals if you race 9-12 times in that period, or more often in a long stage race. That's simply to keep sprocket wear down and help reliability, in their interests as well as the rider.
But, for general riding without undue stress (race use is very stressful, with forced changes, for example) then even with the skinny chains of today, surely 5,000 km is possible with a bit of cleaning and lubing? It does seem to me that an awful lot of people riding now have no real concept of looking after their machines beyond a wipe over, and leave it all to someone else for which they pay dearly!

 

[simon the viking]

I do try and keep the bike clean but my lubing (steady......) regime is perhaps lacking somewhat.... may try and do better with new chain but LBS suggest 1000-1500 mile chain change or 4000 chain and cassette (but may become a bit iffy to ride about then) any way its over at LBS being done as we speak (could do it myself but LBS offered)

 

[uclown2002]

1500 miles is not a lot. I got 3300 and 4400 miles from my last two 8 sp chains, changing the cassette when replacing the second chain. I change at 0.75% wear.

Have you got a chain wear indicator?

 

[simon the viking]

1500 miles is not a lot. I got 3300 and 4400 miles from my last two 8 sp chains, changing the cassette when replacing the second chain. I change at 0.75% wear.

Have you got a chain wear indicator?

Borrowed one from LBS yesterday and it was showing 70% so decided it needed to be done soonish.... Oh the irony of it!

 

[uclown2002]

Borrowed one from LBS yesterday and it was showing 70% so decided it needed to be done soonish.... Oh the irony of it!

0.7% perhaps

 

[screenman]

Got 170,000 miles out of a chain once and it was still going strong, they do not make them like they used to.

 

[simon the viking]

Got 170,000 miles out of a chain once and it was still going strong, they do not make them like they used to.

You're probably right.... I don't think I ever needed a new chain as kid/teenager in the 70/80's, Its probably down to thinner chains for more gears and lighter materials..... not all progress is better

 

[simon the viking]

0.7% perhaps

Maybe