How much wear before you replace your chain and cassette

Big.Wayne · 2 May 2016 at 10:32

I've been swapping out both chain and cassettes at 0.75% but I've read that some folk replace the chain only just before 0.50% stretch and are able to keep the existing cassette. I've tried this once and found the new chain didn't grip properly on the slightly worn cassette so now swap both at the same time.

Another reason I'm thinking it may be better to swap out chain and cassette early is to save excessive wear on the chain set, although as the chain rings are a lot studier than the sprockets this may not be a real concern but am unsure? I think my chain rings are made of steel and most cogs are made of Aluminium so I'm assuming that steel is less prone to wear and tear?

Thoughts?

Big.Wayne · 2 May 2016 at 11:47

Yes good point re the spreading of load. So you saying you have swapped out a 0.75% chain for a new one and it worked fine with the worn cassette?

Big.Wayne · 2 May 2016 at 12:27

jpaul, chain rings are either steel or alloy but I thought sprockets were alloy too but just having just checked it seems most sprockets are steel? . . . I didn't know that.

Big.Wayne · 2 May 2016 at 21:40

FrenchTart said:
What kind of cleaning/lubing routine do you have for your drivetrain?

Sorry that made me chuckle.
In the summer I tend to clean the "drivetrain" a lot more, I'm not sure if this is because I want my steed to make small children point and woman gasp or that somehow summer gunks up the drive-train more.

In Winter my cycle looks destroyed and I only add more cross-country lube to keep the chain-links rolling, at best I will take a wide flat head screwdriver to the rear derailleur jockey wheels as I find the grinding paste builds up either side of the jockeys teeth and interferes with shifting.

In summer I pester the guys at my LBS to let me use their parts washer, take the chain off and attack it with a toothbrush. I don't know exactly what is the chemical composition but it literally eats the grease and gunk from the chain, followed by a quick optional rinse of fresh water, good dousing in GT85 before hanging to drip dry naturally. Once its dry its gets a per link drop of cross-country lube and each link-roller is rotated 5-10 times! :eek:

I really never heard you could swap out a chain and keep using the cassette so many times? As I said in the op I did try this once and the chain skated a little across the rear cassette sprockets during shifts. Maybe I goofed up somehow so I will have to give this another go, I would be happy to get two chains out of each cassette, let alone more.

So right now my chain and cassette are literally just 0.50% percent, if what you chaps are saying is true I can bin the old chain and lash on a lovely new one with no ill effects? . . . if that's true I will be pleased. I used to spend £50 every 6 months on a new chain and cassette (SRAM PC991+PG970) but that burn rate was a bit rich for my tastes so downgraded to a £25.00 bundle (SRAM PC971+PG950) which although not quite as bling lasted twice as long? . . . . £25 Annual mash up tax vs £100 Annual mash up tax with no discernible difference in the riding/shifting of the machine?

Now what you are basically saying to me is I can really cheap out and slash my annual mash up tax by another 50% to £12.50 a year haha!

Thanks for the feedback, I came here with a small concern I was wearing my chains rings out too quickly by not swapping out the chain and cassette regularly enough and I leave with an entirely different set of thoughts . . .

Big.Wayne · 3 May 2016 at 01:03

jpaul said:
I could not tell if you were joking about the per link drop

No? I want to make sure every single roller is properly lubed and turning freely.

jpaul said:
Is gt85 ok to use ? I though that was like wd40 ?

Sure why not? GT85 is a water displacer that dries to a teflon finish, it contains no solvents like WD40 does.

GT85 is also great sprayed on a towel then run a gunky chain through it several time and it comes up pretty clean, same for derailleur and chainring.

The only thing to be careful of with GT85 is not to spray it near your hubs, bottom bracket or headset as it can displace the heavy grease used there.