MTB Chain Wear

[Carsten]

Hi, I have gor two mountain bikes, A Giant Terrago 2010 model and a Giant Trance X4 2012 Model.

 

I find that the chains need replacing at around 1200km for the Terrago but for the Trance it is around 700km

 

I mainly use the Terrago for my training rides during the week and over the weekends I do one or other MTB event with the Trance.

 

I am curious about the large difference in the km that I achieve on the chains between the bikes.

[andretraut]

Your chains should last at least 2500 km on a mtb.

[TNOSE_E]

Not perhaps riding conditions and terrain?

[JTK]

How do you know the chain needs replacement? A tool or the LBS? Or it looks rusty? From what I understand most guys put a chain and cesette on and ride them together untill they start skipping or bad shifting? Which could be anywhere from the 2.5k mark to maybe even 5k?

[Carsten]

Your chains should last at least 2500 km on a mtb.

 

Did 2700km on the terrago and ended up having to replace Chain, Cassette and the chain rings.

[Carsten]

How do you know the chain needs replacement? A tool or the LBS? Or it looks rusty? From what I understand most guys put a chain and cesette on and ride them together untill they start skipping or bad shifting? Which could be anywhere from the 2.5k mark to maybe even 5k?

 

There is a tool which I had lend from my LBS every now and again to check the chain, have a great relationship with them. That is when I discovered the distance when I started keeping record of the distances that I ride

[Smolly]

Maybe a very opportunistic lbs?

[JTK]

at what lenght increase do you replace? .25, .50, .75, etc? I think maybe send me your almost new chain after you replace @ 750km Ooo and another thing. Replace your casette if you havent. A worn casette will wear chains quicker as I understand.

[Carsten]

Not perhaps riding conditions and terrain?

 

You could be right - Currently live in Carletonville and the terrian is relativily flat there for MTB riding where I do my training rides.

[Carsten]

Maybe a very opportunistic lbs?

 

Very small town (Carletonville) the LBS has been there for years.

[JTK]

flat terrain should be even better on your chain life...

[Mojoman]

There is a tool which I had lend from my LBS every now and again to check the chain, have a great relationship with them. That is when I discovered the distance when I started keeping record of the distances that I ride

Try not replacing the chain and see how far you can go? I get well over 2000km from my chain, I then replace the chain, after that I will replace rear cluster and eventually after at least 5000km I will replace the front chainrings. I do all of this without any mechanical issues.

 

What chains etc are you using? I use SRAM 971 and Deore cassettes and chainrings and get good mileage from then. I also lube the chain with squirt after every ride and take it off and clean every 4-6 rides (depending on conditions).

 

Does a chain on a dual suspension bike wear quicker than on a hard tail then?

[JTK]

Try not replacing the chain and see how far you can go? I get well over 2000km from my chain, I then replace the chain, after that I will replace rear cluster and eventually after at least 5000km I will replace the front chainrings. I do all of this without any mechanical issues.

 

What chains etc are you using? I use SRAM 971 and Deore cassettes and chainrings and get good mileage from then. I also lube the chain with squirt after every ride and take it off and clean every 4-6 rides (depending on conditions).

 

Does a chain on a dual suspension bike wear quicker than on a hard tail then?

If we did not run spring loaded rear derailers I would say it makes sense. But it does not unless you mountaineer with the Trance and commute woth the hard tail. I imagine the Trance's cluster is just worn badly?

[Carsten]

Been doing some reading on the internet, I guess I am what they call a chain masher, when I ride in events I change my gears a lot and use the whole cassette from the middle chain ring instead of trying to keep the chain as straight as possible.

 

When I ride in Carletonville as the area is relatively flat I hardly change my gears.

[divernick]

For what it's worth, I get between 900 and 1000km on my SS chain. (regardless of what chain it is.)

 

I replace the chain just as it reaches 1% stretch.

[Johan Bornman]

Guys, stop guessing and speculating. In one of the pinned articles right at the top of the Tech Q&A section there is an attachment on Everything you Need to Know about Bicycle chains.

 

There answers are in there.