At what stretch do you change your bicycle chain?

[rwest]

For you guys that religiously change out your chains, how main miles do you think you're able to get out of your cassette and chain rings?

[vash]

How are you cleaning chain?


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by vash

How are you cleaning chain?


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

I have one of those "machines" that hang on the chain while still installed and have brushes and cleaning fluid that scrub the chain when you turn the bike crank backwards. I then follow up with a gear brush and more fluid to get the tougher stuff and get the rest of the drive line clean.

I do it as part of a complete bike wash.

[vash]

Hmmm. Thanks. I'll check that out. Never used that thing. Nice!

I typically use a rag soaked in simple green




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[wildthing]

Back in my day I wait until it snaps. And even then, I probably had some old chain lying around and linked a few...

[look 171]

Originally Posted by rwest

For you guys that religiously change out your chains, how main miles do you think you're able to get out of your cassette and chain rings?

30 years of hard riding, I have never worn out my rings or any cogs in the back. I suppose I am not going hard enough? Broken freewheels and chain ring, yes, worn? No, not really. My big rings are sometimes "shark toothed" but it hasn't changed the way it performed. I am sure new ones are better and more efficient. I am just cheap

[look 171]

Originally Posted by wildthing

Back in my day I wait until it snaps. And even then, I probably had some old chain lying around and linked a few...

Hahahaha. Been there done that.

[look 171]

Cliff, I usually remove the chain and soak it in Lacquer thinner for 20 minutes. Take a brush and clean it and blast off with compress air. Oil and reinstall.

[look 171]

I haven't clean chains in a long time. It get replaced after winter. It may get a wipe down once every 6-8 months.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by vash

How are you cleaning chain?


Sent via Jedi mind trick.

5 liter ultrasonic tank filled with degreaser.

[HardDrive]

I change my chain when the bike won't shift right or it starts to slip. I use the time and money I save not buying chain measuring thingys to drink booze.

[billybek]

I use the Park chain cleaning tool.
Wipe down with a rag first, solvent in the chain cleaning tool, back pedal and wipe down.
Let it air dry while you clean up the rest of the bike.
Lube chain, tune if required, rag the chain again and re lube (triflow) leave wet.
Ready for the next ride.
Wont stop the chain from stretching but it will slow down the wear that contributes to stretch.

Here is a question, can I switch out the single master link for an xtr chain with one of the other types to make removal and ultrasonic cleaning easier? I don't want to press that single pin out/in any more than I have to.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by billybek

Here is a question, can I switch out the single master link for an xtr chain with one of the other types to make removal and ultrasonic cleaning easier? I don't want to press that single pin out/in any more than I have to.

Yes. KMC makes a product MISSING LINK. This is precisely what I use. You can use the links on Schimano chains. KMC chains come with them.



MissingLink I » KMC Chain

I use these pliers to remove the "master link". While not usually needed, sometimes the links are tough to squeeze together.



Master Link Pliers | Park Tool

Here is KMC's way to check the chain stretch

http://www.kmcchain.com/en/technical.php

[herr_oberst]

One word of advice, don't try and press hollow link pins BACK into a chain after you've pressed them out.

Ask me how I know.


(Hint, could have been ugly.)

[billybek]

Cool, thanks.

Originally Posted by red-beard

Yes. KMC makes a product MISSING LINK. This is precisely what I use. You can use the links on Schimano chains. KMC chains come with them.



MissingLink I » KMC Chain

I use these pliers to remove the "master link". While not usually needed, sometimes the links are tough to squeeze together.



Master Link Pliers | Park Tool

Here is KMC's way to check the chain stretch

http://www.kmcchain.com/en/technical.php

[Jim Bremner]

Do not re-use 11spd KMC missing links. 1 use only. 10,9 8 A-ok to re use

[red-beard]

Good to know

[aigel]

Threw on a new $10 KMC chain with the missing link included. It is so smooth and quiet, now I have second thoughts about running it past .75%. Next one I may toss off at 0.5%. I like a quiet well shifting chain!

Next project may be the deraileur. The little gear wheels / pulleys have no bearings and they are starting to wobble. They are just plastic on a metal shaft. Can one buy new pulleys? Or should I spring in for a new deraileur?

Edit: Looks like you can get new pulleys for a few bucks ... I'll do that next project!

G

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by aigel

Threw on a new $10 KMC chain with the missing link included. It is so smooth and quiet, now I have second thoughts about running it past .75%. Next one I may toss off at 0.5%. I like a quiet well shifting chain!

Next project may be the deraileur. The little gear wheels / pulleys have no bearings and they are starting to wobble. They are just plastic on a metal shaft. Can one buy new pulleys? Or should I spring in for a new deraileur?

Edit: Looks like you can get new pulleys for a few bucks ... I'll do that next project!

G

Get new bearings as well. The Ceramic bearings are better.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by aigel

Edit: Looks like you can get new pulleys for a few bucks ... I'll do that next project!

Just an FYI, make sure you install the new ones in their correct position. The top pulley closest to the cassette is designed to float side to side.