[HoldingOn]

I met a gent on my cycle home Friday, who mentioned he had three chains for his bike. I said I thought it odd to have a chain for different types of route (my first thought) He explained that he “rotates them once month and they last longer”
I suppressed my initial response “don’t they rotate as you cycle?” but that meant he moved on to another subject.
My question – what does he mean and does it help chains last longer? Does giving the chain a rest help prevent it stretching?

Topic

[Cugel]

bikes wrote:

bikes wrote:

I use spirits instead of degreaser as spirits are soluble with oil which is preferable to potentially leaving some degreaser behind which will interfere with the oil. I’m careful to remove as much oil as possible so the chain attracts less grime. I can’t be bothered with an ultrasonic cleaner. I like the idea of wax but I had no luck with it, it didn’t seem to withstand wet conditions at all. Not the way I used it, anyway.

Ha ha – you will discover, one way or another, that “can’t be bothered” is a far inferior approach to having “luck”. Why do a thing badly when its much easier to do it well? Also, the well-done gets the good result rather than the other sort.

One might ask about the roads you ride; and when. One could then be sure to avoid inclusion in any incidents involving your “unlucky” steering of the bicycle, as well as those during which you “can’t be bothered” to attend to the other traffic about the place (or the kerbstones).  🙂

[HoldingOn]

Sounds like I need to do some

Sounds like I need to do some trial and error. Find which solution works for me/ my riding style.

[bikes]

I use spirits instead of
I use spirits instead of degreaser as spirits are soluble with oil which is preferable to potentially leaving some degreaser behind which will interfere with the oil. I’m careful to remove as much oil as possible so the chain attracts less grime. I can’t be bothered with an ultrasonic cleaner.

I like the idea of wax but I had no luck with it, it didn’t seem to withstand wet conditions at all. Not the way I used it, anyway.

[chrisonabike]

Chapeau for the research!

Chapeau for the research!

FWIW Sheldon Brown also has some thoughts on this subject.

[chrisonabike]

Apparently Shimano recommends

Apparently Shimano recommends this as it can help maintain crank retention.

[HoldingOn]

A power meter is a little

A power meter is a little outside my budget, so I have no definitive way to check that.

I have wondered if it isn’t actually the cadence that would affect the chain, but rather a side-effect of a higher cadence = spending less time on the outer edges of the rear cassette means less crossing (sorry – I think that is the term)

It makes sense that more force on the chain would cause more wear – but some of that might be offset from less “rubbing” as the chain moves.

I’m sure someone has based a scientific paper around chain wear, if not there is a potential PhD for someone 

[hawkinspeter]

HoldingOn wrote:

ohhh – look at the design in that chainring!

Are chains not meant to look that lovely natural brown colour?

I usually give them a quick lick of hammerite to get them looking like that

[Simon E]

HoldingOn wrote:

HoldingOn wrote:

I tried one chain aiming for an average of 70rpm, then the next chain at 80rpm. Both indicated 0.5% wear around 1,000km (the 80rpm chain was a little earlier)

As well as having a wider gap between cadences (50 v 90?) I think you’d have to control for other factors such as applying consistent power input (and maybe ride the same gradients?) and ensure they were ridden in similar conditions. Also chainring and cassette sizes could be a factor, small-small causes more articulation than big-big so maybe faster wear?

[HoldingOn]

ohhh – look at the design in

ohhh – look at the design in that chainring!

Are chains not meant to look that lovely natural brown colour?

[Rendel Harris]

Kudos for dedication to

Kudos for dedication to research! I’d assume the average cadence isn’t so important as the use in certain circumstances, e.g. people who don’t change down at lights and so pull away in higher gears must stretch their chains more quickly even if their average cadence is much the same as someone who does use the gears more.

[hawkinspeter]

Rendel Harris wrote:

That’s one theory; I find “using” is what causes the worst chain wear. I once left a spare bike in my mother’s garage for four years, and when I returned to it the chain was in exactly the same state as it had been left. Not using is far and away the best way to prevent chain wear.

Make sure you store it in a climate controlled environment – look what happened to my chain

[HoldingOn]

It’s aften the simple

It’s aften the simple solutions that are the least obvious.
Although I’d be worried I would put one link back upside down and end up destroying the rear cassette or inadvertantly generating a black hole three feet to my right and struggle to maintain my balance.
(I think those are the two most likely outcomes)

[Rendel Harris]

hawkinspeter wrote:

Following some detailed research, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the sharp jagged bits on the cassette and chainring that cause the chain to wear. Since filing them down smooth, my chain lasts forever.

That’s one theory; I find “using” is what causes the worst chain wear. I once left a spare bike in my mother’s garage for four years, and when I returned to it the chain was in exactly the same state as it had been left. Not using is far and away the best way to prevent chain wear.

[HoldingOn]

Depressingly – nothing!

Depressingly – nothing!

There didn’t seem to be any significant difference, although I will grant you, it was a limited sample size!

I tried one chain aiming for an average of 70rpm, then the next chain at 80rpm. Both indicated 0.5% wear around 1,000km (the 80rpm chain was a little earlier)

[hawkinspeter]

Following some detailed

Following some detailed research, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s the sharp jagged bits on the cassette and chainring that cause the chain to wear. Since filing them down smooth, my chain lasts forever.

[Author]

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