Chain stretch?

[Andy Bluenoes]

Replaced my chain probably 200 miles ago...tell me this isnt due for replacement already?

If i push the back edge of the tool against the chain link it doesnt drop in to the gap...am i using the tool wrong?

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Unless you want to buy a new chain every other week, chuck that chain-wear tool and use the intelligent persons method:

Ride your bike until the chain starts slipping on the rear sprockets, or until the chain is rusted solid.

That will improve your chain life to many thousands of miles. Make sure your gears are properly adjusted, otherwise they might jump or slip, which will encourage any "expert" to put a wear gauge on your chain and tell you it needs replacing.

 

[Kinninvie]

I would say it depends how expensive your cassette is.
My 11T-34T 8 speed cassette is £9 from Halfords so I am happy to wait until it starts slipping in the top 2 gears before changing the chain (£11).
After the second chain does the same I replace it and the cassette.
Alternatively you could always file a bit off your chain checker until it fits in properly

 

[awol]

At 200 miles I would have to change my chain every 10 days.
I had to change my chain (and whole drive system) at 13'000 miles because the small round parts between the chain links had wore away to washers and I got a clunky feel when pedalling.

 

[Kinninvie]

At 200 miles I would have to change my chain every 10 days..

In the summer I can ride 100+ miles a day.
I reckon that would make it an expensive hobby!

 

[awol]

When you need to change your chain and jocky wheels.

 

[Fordulike]

Ride your bike until the chain starts slipping on the rear sprockets, or until the chain is rusted solid.

Eh? I understand the advice about riding until it starts slipping, but rusted solid, really?

 

[Woosh]

Replaced my chain probably 200 miles ago

which model of chain did you buy?

 

[Andy Bluenoes]

It was a Clarke's one...Maybe too cheap

Sent from my BUSH SPIRA D3 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It was a Clarke's one...Maybe too cheap

Sent from my BUSH SPIRA D3 5 using Tapatalk

Mine cost £9 from Ebay. It might be a Clark's. 4000 miles and still going strong, though I suspect that it would have failed your chain-wear test on day 2.

 

[Woosh]

It was a Clarke's one...Maybe too cheap

Sent from my BUSH SPIRA D3 5 using Tapatalk

there may be something wrong with the way you use the chain wear gauge. Can you test the gauge on another chain? If it goes just passed the 0.75% mark on your chain, don't buy a new chain yet. Wait until it reaches 1% then check for wear on the front cog and rear cogs. Post pictures of them here for collective opinion.
Here is a comparison, the Wipperman comes out top.

 

[Andy Bluenoes]

there may be something wrong with the way you use the chain wear gauge. Can you test the gauge on another chain? If it goes just passed the 0.75% mark on your chain, don't buy a new chain yet. Wait until it reaches 1% then check for wear on the front cog and rear cogs. Post pictures of them here for collective opinion.
Here is a comparison, the Wipperman comes out top.

Just tried it on Mrs bike...Hardly done any miles and the difference is clear. The tool doesn't drop in at all in hers.

Here's a few pics of mine. If i push the tool to the right firmly against the left chain link it shows much less wear.

I just don't want to end up replacing the freewheel yet again so soon.

The carrera pic is the other chain

Sent from my BUSH SPIRA D3 5 using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 4366]

That's a crappy 14T freewheel. They cost £6.50, which is less than the cost of a chain!. You're panicking about nothing!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-Speed-14-28T-Bike-Bicycle-MTB-Freewheel-Cassette-/282215873206?hash=item41b5607ab6:g:In4AAOSwTA9X7On6

BTW, you could have bought a couple of chains and freewheels for the price of that chain-wear gauge.

 

[Andy Bluenoes]

The tool only cost £2

But i see your point.

So, to get this bike up to standard where it would be good enough for probably 3000 miles a year commuting, would it be worth upgrading any of these cheap parts?

 

[Fordulike]

The tool only cost £2

But i see your point.

So, to get this bike up to standard where it would be good enough for probably 3000 miles a year commuting, would it be worth upgrading any of these cheap parts?

Yep, definitely the chain. I've been using KMC branded chains, which I find are durable and good value for money.

 

[Kinninvie]

I bought 3 Clarkes chains on sale from Halfords for £3 each.
The first slipped after less than 180 miles and the other 2 went in the bin.
Bought KMC x93 chain and they last over 1000 miles each and thats with a BBSHD and 50% offroad riding.
They get lubricated every 500 miles with Muc Off C3 ceramic lube which is great stuff.

 

[tommie]

They get lubricated every 500 miles with Muc Off C3 ceramic lube which is great stuff.

Erm.... i use gear oil,

does smell a bit if you get it on the jeans tho`

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I wouldn't do anything until there's a clear necessity to do it. You're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Wait 'til your gears start jumping, then think about which one to get next.

 

[RobF]

A minor point, but it may help you understand what happens when a chain wears.

Nothing in the chain stretches, each of the small bushes acquire a bit of play which, when added together make the chain longer.

It doesn't sit snugly on the sprockets, so tends to jump.

Gauges aside, you could wrap the chain around the big ring and see if it sits proud at any point.

There is another method with a ruler which also works well enough.

Twelve links is 12 inches, so if 12 links of your chain measure more than 12 inches, it's worn.

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/article/bicycle-chain-wear-explained-46015/

 

[Andy Bluenoes]

Just spent an hour trying to work out how to adjust gears, think I have that finally cracked!
I'll keep a close eye on it, especially now i think the gears are setup right.

I use wetlube on the chain every 2 weeks after giving it a thorough clean with one of those chain cleaner gadgets