When To Replace Drivetrain???

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ryan Bates
hi, i can't figure out if my drive train is too worn or not.
are there standard measurements that could help me out? i
have dura ace components. isn't there some kind of chain
length check? my chain for 12 links from pin to pin is just
a tad over 12 1/16", so i couldn't remember if that's too
much stretch or not. if i do need to replace the chain then,
do i need to replace chainrings and cassette as well for
them to mesh well???? thanks! [email hidden]

Good timing!
http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html
should answer all your questions on this topic.
My short answer is to get a new Shimano DURA ACE chain and use the old one to help you determine the correct length.
No new cassette or chain rings are needed unless you have damage. During chain replacement is a good time for a complete cleaning of cogs and rings.

Ryan Bates said:

hi, i can't figure out if my drive train is too worn or
not. are there standard measurements that could help me
out? i have dura ace components. isn't there some kind of
chain length check? my chain for 12 links from pin to pin
is just a tad over 12 1/16", so i couldn't remember if
that's too much stretch or not.

You're right at the point where you should replace the
chain.

Quoted message said:

if i do need to replace the chain then, do i need to
replace chainrings and cassette as well for them to mesh
well????

Usually not. If you replace the chain before it gets too
worn, you won't cause excess wear on the cassette and
chainrings.

If the casssette cogs are worn, the new chain will skip on
them. A cassette should outlast several chains, and
chainrings should last even longer.

Art Harris

How old, age,miles,dirt,ect.

I MTB 2004

Ryan Bates said:

hi, i can't figure out if my drive train is too worn or
not. are there standard measurements that could help me
out? i have dura ace components. isn't there some kind of
chain length check? my chain for 12 links from pin to pin
is just a tad over 12 1/16", so i couldn't remember if
that's too much stretch or not. if i do need to replace
the chain then, do i need to replace chainrings and
cassette as well for them to mesh well???? thanks!
[email hidden]

As other posters have said, you should replace the chain
now. BTW, that 12 1/16" measurement should be taken with it
hanging down so all the links are under tension. If you're
measuring it laid flat on a table it may well be much worse
than you think.

My touring bike chain has just hit the limit after 2,000
miles (it rains a lot here) so a new chain is in the post.
There is no damage to the rings or sprockets yet.

Zog The Undeniable said:

BTW, that 12 1/16" measurement should be taken with it
hanging down so all the links are under tension.

Normally, the chain would be measured on the bike, and the
rear derailleur would provide the tension.

Art Harris

thanks for the help, it's definitely time to get a new
chain. but for the cassette and chainrings, is there a good
measurement for wear on them, other than the "if they look
like shark fins" method? thanks much

Dave-<< My short answer is to get a new Shimano DURA ACE
chain a >><BR><BR>

High end plated chains don't perform any better than
lower end, not as pretty, chains. Use the cheapest
compatible chain...like a PC-48 for 8s, PC-59 for 9s,
Wipperman for 10s...

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali
costruite eccezionalmente bene"

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Dave-<< My short answer is to get a new Shimano DURA ACE
chain a >><BR><BR>

High end plated chains don't perform any better than
lower end, not as pretty, chains. Use the cheapest
compatible chain...like a PC-48 for 8s, PC-59 for 9s,
Wipperman for 10s...

Yup. If you like chrome, buy a Harley.

In your experience, how long should a chain last? I hear
everything from 500 to 20000 miles from different people. In
my case it's about 2000 miles (I think). How about you?

Matt O.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ryan Bates
hi, i can't figure out if my drive train is too worn or not.
are there standard measurements that could help me out? i
have dura ace components. isn't there some kind of chain
length check? my chain for 12 links from pin to pin is just
a tad over 12 1/16", so i couldn't remember if that's too
much stretch or not. if i do need to replace the chain then,
do i need to replace chainrings and cassette as well for
them to mesh well???? thanks! [email hidden]

fyi park makes a chain checker tool that you slip next to a link and let if fall on the chain-if it drops all the way in it's time for a change. cost me $8 at biketoolsetc.com

Ryan Bates said:

thanks for the help, it's definitely time to get a new
chain. but for the cassette and chainrings, is there a
good measurement for wear on them, other than the "if they
look like shark fins" method? thanks much

If the cassette is worn, a new chain will skip. If it
doesn't skip, your cassette is ok.

I see that Performance likes to sell a package deal of a
chain and cassette. That gives the impression that you
should change both. It certainly won't hurt, but it's not
necessary.

As for chainrings on a road bike, you ought to _lots_ of
miles before you see pronounced hooking.

Art Harris

To check for chain stretch I lay the chain sideways on the
bench and pull it straight, alongside a plastic ruler. This
is accurate enough to show a 1/16 or 1/8 amount of stretch.
I would tend to let a chain go to the latter especially if
you have to replace the cassette.

In the old days replacement sprockets were readily
available for most freewheels, so you could replace the
outer one or two sprockets only. Today this is not possible
on the cheaper Shimano cassettes, except perhaps the outer
sprocket only.

I believe there is a market for slightly used chains which
would avoid having to replace the cassette. It ought to be
possible for manufacturers to produce a model which is a tad
outside normal tolerance, effectively pre-stretched, though
perhaps money-saving ideas are not pou;ar among
manufacturers.

Cheers

Peter Shelton Port Williams, NS