MrMarzocchi
Active member
And how often do you check it?
How often do you replace your chain?
- Thread starter MrMarzocchi
- Start date
MrSimmo
E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Checked mine after about 6 months, was reading 1.1 stretch/wear; left it for another 6 months - was fine. 2400 miles.
Replaced the chain, cassette and ring last week not because they were failing (they were fine) but id done a man thing and bought replacements during lockdown because I’d conjured up justification in my head ?
This year, will check it monthly ?
Replaced the chain, cassette and ring last week not because they were failing (they were fine) but id done a man thing and bought replacements during lockdown because I’d conjured up justification in my head ?
This year, will check it monthly ?
I check every few months until it gets past 0.6%, then check more frequently. Unless I'm doing an experiment, (doing one now) I would not normally run chain past 0.7%.
I also examine the cassette and ring. Also checking for poor shifting.
I also examine the cassette and ring. Also checking for poor shifting.
An experiment, eh?
You don't want to know.An experiment, eh?
jaggysnake
Active member
Was changing maybe 1k miles , got sick of it so now just running till it pops and replace chain , cassette and chainring , current chain nearly 1% so hardly check now. Bike done 5k miles and only on 2nd cassette. Change gear sympathetically helps
I’ve been MTBiking for 25years but I’m new to eMTB and I’m really surprised how fast the chain wears on a eMTB. I’ve just changed a chain after just 500km because the chain checker read 0,5.
Could probably used it a bit longer but I rather change the chain more often and save the cassette and chain ring.
Could probably used it a bit longer but I rather change the chain more often and save the cassette and chain ring.
Beekeeper
🍯Honey Monster🍯
First chain and front sprocket (15t) changed after 1000 miles showing 0.75 wear. No skipping with new chain.
another 1000 miles and did the same but skipping in high gears so I had to change the cassette also.
In future when I replace the second chain I’ll run everything into the ground as it seems my cassette will not accept a 3rd new chain.
another 1000 miles and did the same but skipping in high gears so I had to change the cassette also.
In future when I replace the second chain I’ll run everything into the ground as it seems my cassette will not accept a 3rd new chain.
Pan
New Member
My first ebike and chain at .5 % after 750 km, lbs suggest I change now.
Mini si
Member
I'm experimenting too but my experiment looks rubbish compared to the one above, I'll do a more interesting one next time.
I fitted the third chain at about 700 miles due to wear but it skipped/jumped so I put the old one back on and am up to 900 miles now. I'm going to run it to death then put the first one back on and see if it still works with the cassette. I know it shouldn't but I'm experimenting!
I've done it by the book and it's expensive...
I fitted the third chain at about 700 miles due to wear but it skipped/jumped so I put the old one back on and am up to 900 miles now. I'm going to run it to death then put the first one back on and see if it still works with the cassette. I know it shouldn't but I'm experimenting!
I've done it by the book and it's expensive...
Beekeeper
🍯Honey Monster🍯
I would not use a chain-checker as a replacement decision tool. As far as I'm concerned they are a useful tool for swiftly keeping an eye on chain wear. Before making a scrapping decision, I would remove the chain and stretch it out on a flat surface (newspaper on the kitchen worktop, chez moi). Measure 100 links with a steel tape measure and compare the measurement with what a new chain would be , ie 50". For accuracy, don't use the hook end of the tape, instead centre one of the major markings over a rivet, get a helper to do that while you take care of the business end.
50-3/8" divided by 50" is 0.75% wear (stretch, whatever). You should easily be able to estimate down to 1/32" because the markings on an Imperial tape measure will be at intervals of 1/16". That will give you accuracy down to 0.06%, which is more than enough for the job!
50-3/8" divided by 50" is 0.75% wear (stretch, whatever). You should easily be able to estimate down to 1/32" because the markings on an Imperial tape measure will be at intervals of 1/16". That will give you accuracy down to 0.06%, which is more than enough for the job!
I still change my chain at 0.7 even I have 11- and 12-speed bikes. Maybe I'm so old school?
When l was a kid in the 1970's we NEVER replaced a chain.
The bike would get left out in all weathers.
lf the chain was lucky it would get oiled before it seized solid with rust.
After that it was expected to work normally again until it actually started to squeak from lack of oil.
The bike would get left out in all weathers.
lf the chain was lucky it would get oiled before it seized solid with rust.
After that it was expected to work normally again until it actually started to squeak from lack of oil.
Mini si
Member
Ahh, the good old days!! ?
Other than from crash damage, chains on kids bikes still rarely ever need replacing over the entire life of the bike.
Why? because they generally use cheaper/heavier more durable chains and cassettes AND they generally don't actually get ridden very far, almost never in bad conditions and the drivetrain is pretty much never subjected to high loads.
Why? because they generally use cheaper/heavier more durable chains and cassettes AND they generally don't actually get ridden very far, almost never in bad conditions and the drivetrain is pretty much never subjected to high loads.
All true
Although we did many miles on our bikes back then, there were no computers, no social media and only three TV channels.
Daytime TV was only at weekends and on weekdays kids TV lasted until the news at around 5.45pm.
At other times we were expected to "play out" and much of this was done on bikes. l
did look after my bike though!
l had a Raleigh Chopper and despite in retrospect it being awful to ride, did hundreds of miles on it over the Summer holidays.
As a teenager l cycled to my dads every weekend, a round trip of 40 miles (not on the Chopper!!) But on a home built version with apehangers, a banana seat and three speed hub gears.
But at least full size wheels.
l could do the 20 miles in 90 minutes. Eventually l got a racing bike, a Raleigh "Record" that weighed about 20kg but at least it had six speed derailleur gears and proper road bike tyres.
My time for the ride to my dads plummeted to 75 minutes.
l don't think l could get near that time now, l must give it a go sometime.
Although we did many miles on our bikes back then, there were no computers, no social media and only three TV channels.
Daytime TV was only at weekends and on weekdays kids TV lasted until the news at around 5.45pm.
At other times we were expected to "play out" and much of this was done on bikes. l
did look after my bike though!
l had a Raleigh Chopper and despite in retrospect it being awful to ride, did hundreds of miles on it over the Summer holidays.
As a teenager l cycled to my dads every weekend, a round trip of 40 miles (not on the Chopper!!) But on a home built version with apehangers, a banana seat and three speed hub gears.
But at least full size wheels.
l could do the 20 miles in 90 minutes. Eventually l got a racing bike, a Raleigh "Record" that weighed about 20kg but at least it had six speed derailleur gears and proper road bike tyres.
My time for the ride to my dads plummeted to 75 minutes.
l don't think l could get near that time now, l must give it a go sometime.
My daily commute is 18miles each way. On my roadbike it takes me 50-60minutes in the morning and 60-70mins home in the evening (more climbing).
By the sounds of it we're probably similar ages.
Raleigh Records weighed less than 13kg
You should buy yourself a modern roadbike. They're ace.
By the sounds of it we're probably similar ages.
Raleigh Records weighed less than 13kg
You should buy yourself a modern roadbike. They're ace.
Mr_Price
Active member
My neighbour has been riding forever (acoustic), rides 2 / 3 times a week and gives his bike a once over ever 2-3 weeks. Every ~2 months, he takes the chain off to give it a deep clean / lube but also runs another chain, so they are both wearing at similar rates. He swears he gets better longevity from his gear. I’m considering getting second chain @385km and counting….
Yes the Raleigh "Record" was a world apart from my home made bike and it made a big difference to my road riding back then.
lt might have actually been twelve speed thinking back.
l tried road biking about three years ago, bought a fairly good bike and all the gear.
But l wasn't enjoying it, every ride felt like a test of endurance rather than an enjoyable pastime.
l certainly got fitter though.
Also l didn't like actually riding on the road, too many cars, maybe l should have joined a club and ridden with a group.
lt might have actually been twelve speed thinking back.
l tried road biking about three years ago, bought a fairly good bike and all the gear.
But l wasn't enjoying it, every ride felt like a test of endurance rather than an enjoyable pastime.
l certainly got fitter though.
Also l didn't like actually riding on the road, too many cars, maybe l should have joined a club and ridden with a group.
The first KMC chain on my Kenevo Expert changed at 257km and I was riding trails only and fire roads inside the forest ....So soon 
I sold it with 475km after 1 year , so there is no update...I replaced the original KMC chain with Shimano chain dedicated for e-bikes..
My current Levo SL has performed only 536 km and the chain is brand new !
Smaller motor , lower torque, less wear ....that’s how it goes ..
I sold it with 475km after 1 year , so there is no update...I replaced the original KMC chain with Shimano chain dedicated for e-bikes..
My current Levo SL has performed only 536 km and the chain is brand new !
Smaller motor , lower torque, less wear ....that’s how it goes ..
I hardly ever degrease the chain. In fact I can't recall the last time, certainly not on this bike, 2yrs 4 months.
Pilotfromdk
Member
Last year I bought my first Emtb. Before that I had a MTB in the garage just because that was what everybody else had... 
I wanted to be on top of the maintenance so I got the "best" chain oile with all the bells and whistles, and PFTP
BUT.... I was just chewing trough cassettes and chains. So "upgraded" from Shimano 7100 series to 8200... Same shit, different day...
Yet another 8200 went on. About 500Km in it started jumping gears... again... I ordered another cassette+chain
Before it arrived I thought:
Well enough is enough! I then ordered a SRAM AXS XX1kit and a 1299 10-52 cassette! What a change, and joy to ride!! BUT.... I chewed up that fu... expencive cassette in precise 1077km Well... the show must go on! I ordered the less expencive 1275 12speed 10-52. that one lasted for 1392Km. Ordered a new 1275 10-52... This time I did a deep clean of the whole drivetrain and changed from "oil" to "water based wax". Just to be safe in "these times" I ordered 2 extra cassettes+chains to get through the summer To my big surprise, I have NOT changed anything since !??! I'm now on +1500km and everything works without any problems. Just checked the chain, no wear 
And the best of it all, it have not skipped a gear (yet). Shimano just announced they have a new drivetrain made for Ebikes in the pipeline... But so far I "stick" to SRAM and wax.
Wish all a nice summer
☀
I wanted to be on top of the maintenance so I got the "best" chain oile with all the bells and whistles, and PFTP
BUT.... I was just chewing trough cassettes and chains. So "upgraded" from Shimano 7100 series to 8200... Same shit, different day...
Yet another 8200 went on. About 500Km in it started jumping gears... again... I ordered another cassette+chain
Before it arrived I thought:Well enough is enough! I then ordered a SRAM AXS XX1kit and a 1299 10-52 cassette! What a change, and joy to ride!!
BUT.... I chewed up that fu... expencive cassette in precise 1077km Well... the show must go on! I ordered the less expencive 1275 12speed 10-52. that one lasted for 1392Km. Ordered a new 1275 10-52... This time I did a deep clean of the whole drivetrain and changed from "oil" to "water based wax". Just to be safe in "these times" I ordered 2 extra cassettes+chains to get through the summer To my big surprise, I have NOT changed anything since !??! I'm now on +1500km and everything works without any problems. Just checked the chain, no wear And the best of it all, it have not skipped a gear (yet). Shimano just announced they have a new drivetrain made for Ebikes in the pipeline... But so far I "stick" to SRAM and wax.Wish all a nice summer
☀
Hi, What motorcycle chain spray brand did you use?
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