How often should I replace my chain? I have heard every 1000k, 2000k…
And is Dura Ace much better than Ultegra?
Thank you,
Tim
Whenever it’s stretched. There really isn’t a good way to equate miles to chain wear. There are just too many variables (i.e. how hard you ride, how often you clean your drivetrain, what kind of conditions you ride in, etc).
Buy a chain checking tool and change your chain out before it stretches too far (0.75%).
I don’t think the chain actually stretches in bicycle use. I think that the holes where the rivets and bishings go wear in an oblong shape allowing free-play. This causes the “stretch.”
Maybe LC has some thoughts on this.
I never clean my chain…I put a new one on, about ever 60 days.
Every 60 days? You must log a bunch of miles. How does that impact your drivetrain or are you replacing cassettes and chainrings too?
I remember an old article, don’t remember which mag it was in, about mechanics in the Tour, and what they do to the bikes each day. And the one team (Greg Lemond’s team) changed the chains EVERY DAY. That’s right, every day. But they used the cheap Sedisport chains, about $5 each. I still use Sedisport on my 8-speed Shimano drivetrain. Not so sure about what to use on 9- or 10-speed dirvetrains.
But the general rule (as I understand it) is that if 12 links is longer than 12-1/8", then it’s time to change it. The chain checker tool just makes this measurement easier.