Do you show your chain enough LOVE?
Your bike chain will gradually wear with use and will need replacement from time to time to maintain your drivetrain’s performance. A worn chain shifts poorly, wears down sprockets quickly, and worst of all, can break mid-ride!
So, When Should You Change Your Chain?
Most major brands all agree that it’s hard to put an exact kilometre/mile figure on chain wear as it is based on multiple factors including maintenance (cleaning/lubricating), use conditions (water/mud/sand), user shifting patterns, and overall drivetrain condition (cassette/chainring wear).
In general, it can vary between 3,000 km to 8,000 km, but it could be less or even more in some cases all dependent on the aforementioned factors.
When to Replace Your Chain
First, replace your chain if you spot any visible damage, such as splits and cracks. It’s also important to regularly check for wear to determine if it's time for a change.
Ways to Check for Chain Wear
- Measuring with a Ruler
You can check chain wear with a ruler. It’s often easier to use imperial measurements since a standard chain link measures 1 inch.
- Start at one link pin and measure 12 complete links, applying tension to ensure accuracy.
- On a new chain, 12 complete links measure exactly 12 inches. If the 12-inch mark on the ruler doesn’t quite reach the relevant link pin, your chain is worn.
- If the distance from the 12-inch mark to the centre of the link pin is less than 1/16 inch, your chain is still within a serviceable tolerance.
- If it reaches the 1/8 inch mark (or 2/16 inch), it needs replacing.
Gauging these figures with a normal ruler is difficult, so we recommend using a chain wear indicator.
- Using a Chain Wear Indicator
A chain wear indicator, sometimes called a chain checker, is an inexpensive gauge that measures wear accurately.
The UHW Chain Checker, for instance, retails at £9.99, but you can purchase it here for £7.99
- Hook the curved end into the chain; if the gauge tip fits completely into a link, the chain needs replacing. One side measures 0.5% wear, the other measures 0.75% wear.
- Measuring by Eye
It’s also possible to estimate chain wear visually. One of the largest chain makers suggests that if you don’t have a gauge to test chain stretch, you can roughly check by placing the chain on the outer chainring and lifting it from the middle. If you can lift it more than half a link, the chain, chainring, or both are probably worn.
The good news is, if you do need a new chain then you needn’t look any further! Here at Sport & Leisure, we stock a wide range of chains in all different lengths for all bike speeds and types. To find the chain you need, just click here.