Re: Broke A Chain!

02-06-2007, 04:56 AM

David L. Johnson wrote:
> Stephen Harding wrote:
>
>> It's a SRAM PC48 chain of perhaps four years vintage.
>
>
> 4 years!
>
>
>> Wondered if a broken chain was anything the group found to
>> be a common or rare event? Can you buy just replacement
>> masterlinks from SRAM? Didn't see any on the Performance
>> or Nashbar web pages.
>
>
> Breaking a chain is indeed a rare event--- but so is riding with the
> same chain for 4 years; unless you don't ride that bike much at all.
> Chains on geared bikes rarely last more than 2000 miles or so, and even
> that requires regular cleaning. Replace a chain when the measurement of
> 12 full links exceeds 12 + 1/16 inches. Waiting until 12 + 1/8 inch
> will often mean having to replace the cassette as well, which may very
> well be your fate. You'll be lucky to not have to replace the chainrings.

I think chains are good for better than that!

I have no problem running chains on my road bikes for
3 years or so, paying more attention to lube than I do
for the lesser ridden MTBs.

I typically run the entire drive line down, letting them
wear out together, then replace the chain and the cogs
at once. Chain rings seem to be harder to wear than
cogsets, so a ring can last a couple chain/cog replacement
cycles.

I put about 2500 mi/year and 1500 mi/year typically on my
two primary rides (one road/one MTB). Chains last for
2+ years easily.

> Don't bother to replace just the master link. This chain is worn out,
> unless you only ride 500 miles/year.

Probably about right for this particular bike.

SMH

02-06-2007, 07:56 AM

Stephen Harding wrote:

> I have no problem running chains on my road bikes for
> 3 years or so, paying more attention to lube than I do
> for the lesser ridden MTBs.
>
> I typically run the entire drive line down, letting them
> wear out together, then replace the chain and the cogs
> at once. Chain rings seem to be harder to wear than
> cogsets, so a ring can last a couple chain/cog replacement
> cycles.

This strikes me as false economy. Chains are available for $15 or $20
just about anywhere. Cassettes are more like $50, $100 for fancier ones
like 10-speeds. Chainrings can cost $50 apiece. Frankly, tossing a
chain every once in a while is a lot cheaper.
>
> I put about 2500 mi/year and 1500 mi/year typically on my
> two primary rides (one road/one MTB). Chains last for
> 2+ years easily.

At your mileage I would be replacing 1 chain per year (per bike), and
keeping the cassette for several years, and the chainrings for longer
than that.

--

David L. Johnson

The motor car reflects our standard of living and gauges the
speed of our present life. It long ago ran down Simple Living,
and never halted to inquire about the prostrate figure which
fell as its victim. -- Warren G. Harding

02-06-2007, 08:47 AM

David L. Johnson wrote:

> Stephen Harding wrote:
>>
>> I typically run the entire drive line down, letting them
>> wear out together, then replace the chain and the cogs
>> at once. Chain rings seem to be harder to wear than
>> cogsets, so a ring can last a couple chain/cog replacement
>> cycles.
>
> This strikes me as false economy. Chains are available for $15 or $20
> just about anywhere. Cassettes are more like $50, $100 for fancier ones
> like 10-speeds. Chainrings can cost $50 apiece. Frankly, tossing a
> chain every once in a while is a lot cheaper.

Only my joy bike has 9 speed. The others are 6 and two 7
speed cassettes that run about $25. I think my procedure
is quite cost efficient.

You may be more correct in the "false economy" charge WRT
my 9 speed bike. Never replaced the cogset so I'm not up
on what they go for, but $50 for one might make me more
attentive towards replacing the chain more frequently.

>> I put about 2500 mi/year and 1500 mi/year typically on my
>> two primary rides (one road/one MTB). Chains last for
>> 2+ years easily.
>
> At your mileage I would be replacing 1 chain per year (per bike), and
> keeping the cassette for several years, and the chainrings for longer
> than that.

I think that's way too frequent for a 7 speed cogset.

In the 15 years I've owned my Trek 520 (my primary ride with
the most miles per year on it), I've replaced the large ring
3 times, the middle ring twice and never replaced the small
ring.

Not certain how many times I've replaced the drive chain and
cogset but perhaps 4 times (???). I really don't think I'd
do a hole lot better with more frequent chain changes.

I suppose if crisp shifting were more a requirement chain
changes might be more critical, but I'm a "Fred Rider", so
it's largely irrelevant.

Until the rings start skipping teeth in gear during stand up
climbs, they stay put; that's the indicator that a ring needs
replacement for me!

SMH

02-06-2007, 09:45 AM

David L. Johnson wrote:
> Stephen Harding wrote:
>>
>> I typically run the entire drive line down, letting them
>> wear out together, then replace the chain and the cogs
>> at once. Chain rings seem to be harder to wear than
>> cogsets, so a ring can last a couple chain/cog replacement
>> cycles.
>>
>> I put about 2500 mi/year and 1500 mi/year typically on my
>> two primary rides (one road/one MTB). Chains last for
>> 2+ years easily.
>
> This strikes me as false economy. Chains are available for $15 or $20
> just about anywhere. Cassettes are more like $50, $100 for fancier ones
> like 10-speeds. Chainrings can cost $50 apiece. Frankly, tossing a
> chain every once in a while is a lot cheaper.

It's not that bad (forgive the citation reordering, but it makes the
point a bit clearer). If Stephen runs 2-3 times longer on a $20 chain,
he's not paying that much extra to replace a $50 cassette. And since
we're talking about 7 or 8 speeds, if you replace a $20 cassette
(Perf/bar house brand) and $15 chain, it's almost a wash.

Pat