Cassette Wear

[Dirtbreath]

I clean my chain (MTB) after every 2 to 3 rides at most and measure regularly. Now my last chain has only lasted about 6 weeks whereas I used to get about 4 months with a similar amount of riding.

 

The cassette does not seem to be too bad if I look at pics of worn cassettes as a comparison. Those are obviously exagerated pics used to make a point where the sprocket looks like a fish hook.

 

I dont want to replace for the sake of replacing but where is that fine line of wear where its starts to wear your chain out unnecessarily?

 

If anyone has any pics of when they would replace a cassette at the earliest that would be great.

 

I suppose the same question applies for chainrings.

 

[AndreZA]

How do you know your chain is worn?

 

 

[Dirtbreath]

I use a Park Tool chain measure. I have checked it against an inch rule and it is accurate. 0.75 at some links but not all. Just getting everything tip top for Sabie. When you are at the back nobody hears you scream!

[AndreZA]

I won't even bother witht the gage. If the rule says it's okay, then it is.

[Dirtbreath]

The gauge is much easier to use than the rule. You just slip it on and if it fits its worn. What I meant was that I have checked the gauge's accuracy with a ruler and it works.

[kennyg]

Boring technical person here....

You chain wear is couple to your mileage. I change my MTB chains every 1000kms, not matter. If you a heavy guy, climbing alot your chain will stretch quicker. I am 70 kg, and some of my chains are up to half a link longer after 1000kms. Cassette wear, is a given.. just swop it when the new chain does not fit the old cogs.

[AndreZA]

1000km is nothing. There is no way I would be on my 2nd for the year. 12 inch 24 links is the rule. If it still fits, it will still work.

 

 

[JA-Q001]

 

Boring technical person here....

You chain wear is couple to your mileage. I change my MTB chains every 1000kms' date=' not matter. If you a heavy guy, climbing alot your chain will stretch quicker. I am 70 kg, and some of my chains are up to half a link longer after 1000kms. Cassette wear, is a given.. just swop it when the new chain does not fit the old cogs.

[/quote']

 

I want to see you STRETCH a chain, especially half a link! A chain does not stretch, the metal inbetween the links wear out, giving more play and so the chain appears longer, this has factors like cadence, weather and lube. A cluster is usually worn out when a new chain skip\jumps when you pedal hard, if it hapens when you pedal shoft, its long overdue.

 

[Johan Bornman]

Dirtbreath, you should know better. Throw away that stupid tool of yours, it really isn't not your style. (I listened to Spanish Train earlier today).

 

The reason you're getting different readings on different links is exactly why that tool is rubbish. It measures the dirt inside the rollers. You want to measure the sideplates, which are not variable thanks to dirt.

 

JA-Q001 will be my spokesperson from now on, provided he finds a nickname that's easier to type. He's right.

 

Kenny G-spot is off course. Changing your chain each X miles may be a waste, may be overdue. You'll never know.

 

Measure your chain regularly. When it reaches 12 inches and 1/16th, then it is 1% elongated and should be replaced. If it is 2% elongated, your cassette is ruined. Keep on swapping the chain until it starts to skip as my luitenant pointed out.

 

 

Johan Bornman2008-12-05 09:57:22

[brussel]

OK so what I am doing is using three chains, swapping them every hundred kilometers (mtb), that way the cassette should last longer. I tend to find by the time I see that the chain is worn the cassette is stuffed.

 

 

 

Heard of a guy that did it with 6 chains!

[Dirtbreath]

 

Dirtbreath' date=' you should know better. Throw away that stupid tool of yours, it really isn't not your style. (I listened to Spanish Train earlier today).

 

Measure your chain regularly. When it reaches 12 inches and 1/16th, then it is 1% elongated and should be replaced. If it is 2% elongated, your cassette is ruined. Keep on swapping the chain until it starts to skip as my luitenant pointed out.

 

[/quote']

 

I am very happy with my little tool thank you. It has stood up to your wooden ruler before and proved its worth.

 

I'm not worried about measuring my chain as that is something you can physically measure. Whether you use a ruler, park machine or shpongle is immaterial. You have a benchmark and you use it to judge the wear.

 

My question is whther there is a quantitative way of checking a cassette. Putting on a new chain and letting it slip sounds a bit archaic. Swapping it out just in case is a waste on the other hand.

 

[Johan Bornman]

There is no way of checking the cassette. Visual inspection is notoriously imperfect.

 

Someone mentioned hooked teeth. A cassette's teeth will never wear to the point where they get hooked, whereas a chainring will.

 

 

[Dirtbreath]

 

There is no way of checking the cassette. Visual inspection is notoriously imperfect.

 

Someone mentioned hooked teeth. A cassette's teeth will never wear to the point where they get hooked' date=' whereas a chainring will.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Is there an equivalent to the inch ruler for a cassette. I would post a pic here but I went and forgot it at the bike shop today.

 

[Johan Bornman]

OK so what I am doing is using three chains' date=' swapping them every hundred kilometers (mtb), that way the cassette should last longer. I tend to find by the time I see that the chain is worn the cassette is stuffed.

Heard of a guy that did it with 6 chains![/quote']

 

Life needn't be that compicated. What you're doing averages out with us single chain users in the short run. There's no advantage to doing that.

 

Besides, what do you do if your ride is longer than 100kms?

[Johan Bornman]

Is there an equivalent to the inch ruler for a cassette.

No

[Dirtbreath]

 

OK so what I am doing is using three chains' date=' swapping them every hundred kilometers (mtb), that way the cassette should last longer. I tend to find by the time I see that the chain is worn the cassette is stuffed.

 

Heard of a guy that did it with 6 chains![/quote']

 

Life needn't be that compicated. What you're doing averages out with us single chain users in the short run. There's no advantage to doing that.

 

Besides, what do you do if your ride is longer than 100kms?

 

My rides vary. I can do 10 rides where my chain is sweet and clean and do 1 ridee where I hit some mud in the first kay and you can just hear that grinding of mud paste.