Cassettes and Chains

by Tiki on Mar 18, 2007 7:36 PM EDT

So I've got a half-season-old Dura Ace 12-27 with titanium big cogs but my chain (which I didn't replace when I bought the cassette) is shot. What are people's philosophies about changing chains with cassettes?

Do chains and cassettes have to be changed at the same time every time? It makes changing cassettes for different race conditions very expensive. Opinions?

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I replace

the chain every year, and I get about two years out of a cassette. Putting a new chain on a used cassette is fine, but if you are replacing the cassette, do the chain too. A stretched chain will wear out a new cassette very quickly. Honestly, I measure my chains for stretch, and after one season they still have a little life, so they go on to the b-bike.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Mr Van P on Mar 18, 2007 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

As far a switiching for races..

I run a record chain with a Connex links on both bikes so I could swap chains along with cassettes if need be. As long as you check your chain for stretch and give it a good cleaning though, you really don't need to worry too much. If I do change cassettes, I'll do it at least a week before the race so I can make all the necessary adjustments (limits, barrels, b-screw, etc) during training rides rather than skipping gears (or worse) during a race.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Mr Van P on Mar 18, 2007 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

Eh...

Get a new chain every ~2000mi, you should get about ~5000 out of a cassette. Start them out together, but I don't think you need to necessarily change them together

by blueyedfisch on Mar 19, 2007 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

I measure the chain

with a Park chain wear indicator:

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=CC%2D3+Chain+Wear+Indicator&vendorCode =PARK&major=6&minor=6

It's easy to use, and cheap enough. I used to go with the 2k mile rule too, but the Record chains last a full season for me (4k miles or so) and still be within tolerance.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Mr Van P on Mar 19, 2007 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

Campy chains can last more than 2K miles. If you are too cheap to by the park wear indicator (like me) you can use a ruler easy enough. Once you have 1/16" of stretch, it's time for a new one.

by pbrmeasap on Mar 21, 2007 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm the worst person in the world to answer this

but I can tell you through experience that changing too often is far, far, far preferable to changing not often enough.

I'm a big guy, and I'm not easy on bike parts. Before I changed jobs, I commuted to work year round. Riding through Portland winters (read: constant rain) put a ton of grit into my drivetrain that I never quite figured out how regularly to change. So 3 times in 3 years I had to replace chain, cassette, and rings together. Including once where the worn rings destroyed the chain and cassette shortly after being replaced.

I suppose the lesson is: pay more freaking attention to your maintenance, moron! But I cleaned it w/ a brush every couple of rides, lubed more than once a week and ran it through a chain cleaner +/- once a week.

My advice is that you won't regret changing the cassette more often than it needs nearly as much as less often. But like I say, I don't really know what I'm talking about; I'm just a cautionary tale.

Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste

by Koppenberg on Mar 19, 2007 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

Park Tool

makes a great chain cleaner, that little blue wonder makes my chain more sparkly than I could ever do with a brush. Plus you don't even have to take the chain off to get good results. Plus there is no mess from spritzing cleaner everywhere, it is all self contained. Grit be gone!

by blueyedfisch on Mar 19, 2007 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

I'm a remove and soak

guy with my chain and cassette. I agree with K'berg. Keeping it clean is very important. Record cassetts are like $200 a piece, so I can't afford to change them all too freguently. Chorus ar a little cheaper, but they don't give those away either.

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Mr Van P on Mar 19, 2007 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

SRAM cassettes baby

Lasts longer than Record or DA and less $

by Drew on Mar 19, 2007 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Good to hear

I'm building up my new bike with SRAM this week. It will be my first departure from Chorus in a long while (althogh I will be using a new Chorus crank).

by pbrmeasap on Mar 21, 2007 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

I used to be that way, but I have little confidence in those Connex type connector links, and rather than destroy the chain taking it off and on so many times, I just prefer to leave it on the bike...you'll really date yourself if you say you soak it in Kero and sit it on top of the washer for some agitation action...

by blueyedfisch on Mar 19, 2007 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

Nope, I prefer

Pedro's Orange peelz or bio degreaser. I got this stuff once from performance that was really good. It was a spray, but would form a gel coating on the chain so it wouldn't wind up on the floor. I could give the chain a nice cleaning without taking it off. Just spray, let it sit and clean it off with a rag. To date, I've never found anything better for cleaning the chainrings.

I'm sure TC has some stories though regarding cassette cleaning...

Vlaenderen die Leu

by Mr Van P on Mar 19, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Rule of Thumb

for chains and cassettes: 1500 miles per chain, 3000 miles per cassette. Easy on the lube and clean it on the bike with a Park chain cleaner. And yes, SRAM is not sexy but it does wear well.

by Brandontw9 on Mar 20, 2007 9:39 AM EDT reply actions