can['t wear the chain out

On Sat, 20 Jul 2019 20:27:37 -0700 (PDT), Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 8:32:44 PM UTC-4, John B. wrote:

As an addendum to the above, Andrew states that "An 11 chain at 6800
miles without wear is either a measurement error or divine
intervention."

Thus I would be sure that my chain measuring technique is correct.
Tension of some sort must be applied to the chain when measuring to
ensure that any play in the links is taken up and the chain is at its
maximum length. Some people hang the chain up and hook a weight to the
bottom link and measure the chain while it is hanging.

I use a 12" steel ruler. I have the bike on the ground, not on a workstand, and use a little wedge in the brake lever to hold the brake on. Then I apply some
force to the pedal, so as to try to drive the bike forward. As I hold that
tension on the chain, I measure it.

I suppose a 13" ruler might be handier, since I have to eyeball that extra 1/16"
but 13" rulers are hard to find.

Hmm. Maybe I should make a gauge that's exactly 12 1/16" long...

- Frank Krygowski

I use an 18" steel ruler (we used to call them a "steel scale" when I
was in the trade) which is fairly common here, calibrated in 32nds and
mm. I arbitrarily decided on 0.5% as a limit which is 3/32nds at 18
inches. One end of the "ruler" the markings start flush with the end
and the other end is about a 1/2 inch extension past the
markings,with a hole for hanging and plenty of room to carefully
scribe the 18 -3/32" limit mark.
--
cheers,

John B.

On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:31:51 AM UTC+2, wrote:
On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:06:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Ok I have at least 6800 miles on my 11 speed Shimano Ultegra chain. I keep it pretty good take it off after maybe 1000-1500 miles and soak in OMS and such. I don't ride in the rain at least on purpose. The cornfields of Illinois are flat so no real climbs. I measured my chain with machinist rule shows less than 1/16 or close in 1 foot.

I just think keep riding it the bike shifts flawless. But then maybe another voice says, no just put a new chain on they don't last that long something must be amuck. No skipping and I am not a slow rider I general run 50 mile routes at 17-19.5 mph, I no kid at 58, but can chains last that long? Finally I notice I am running Conti GP4000's II and they have 6000 miles on them and not worn out yet.

So would you all put a new chain on I don't see any wear on cassette? I normally get 5K on chains but wow this has me thinking.


BTW the 57 miles this morning even early were brutally hot here. I have drank at least 5 liters of liquid in some form or another and not even had a beer yet....that is coming soon.

Deacon Mark

Good gosh Lou how fast do you ride and how old are you? I have to admit I am runner first but last 5 years have decided my running legs are gone but still go very slow. On the bike though I can keep up with fellows 1/2 my age.

Deacon Mark

Well not that much faster Mark. I would be disappointed if my average speed on a 75-100 km/hr ride would be below 31 km/hr except in early season and easy rides of course. I'm turning 63 yr in december.

Lou

On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:47:58 AM UTC+2, wrote:
On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:06:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Ok I have at least 6800 miles on my 11 speed Shimano Ultegra chain. I keep it pretty good take it off after maybe 1000-1500 miles and soak in OMS and such. I don't ride in the rain at least on purpose. The cornfields of Illinois are flat so no real climbs. I measured my chain with machinist rule shows less than 1/16 or close in 1 foot.

I just think keep riding it the bike shifts flawless. But then maybe another voice says, no just put a new chain on they don't last that long something must be amuck. No skipping and I am not a slow rider I general run 50 mile routes at 17-19.5 mph, I no kid at 58, but can chains last that long? Finally I notice I am running Conti GP4000's II and they have 6000 miles on them and not worn out yet.

So would you all put a new chain on I don't see any wear on cassette? I normally get 5K on chains but wow this has me thinking.


BTW the 57 miles this morning even early were brutally hot here. I have drank at least 5 liters of liquid in some form or another and not even had a beer yet....that is coming soon.

Deacon Mark

Ok Andrew I am going to replace the chain. On the side if I make a trip up your way to check out the digs can you set me on a good route to ride? Of course you mind if go through the place an see what looks cool I will probably won't drive any exactly crazy.

Deacon Mark

Mark compare the old chain with the new chain. That is what I always do.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Wgc6u14oJ2Yu4R19

Lou

wrote:
On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:31:51 AM UTC+2, wrote:
On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:06:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Ok I have at least 6800 miles on my 11 speed Shimano Ultegra chain. I
keep it pretty good take it off after maybe 1000-1500 miles and soak in
OMS and such. I don't ride in the rain at least on purpose. The
cornfields of Illinois are flat so no real climbs. I measured my chain
with machinist rule shows less than 1/16 or close in 1 foot.

I just think keep riding it the bike shifts flawless. But then maybe
another voice says, no just put a new chain on they don't last that
long something must be amuck. No skipping and I am not a slow rider I
general run 50 mile routes at 17-19.5 mph, I no kid at 58, but can
chains last that long? Finally I notice I am running Conti GP4000's II
and they have 6000 miles on them and not worn out yet.

So would you all put a new chain on I don't see any wear on cassette? I
normally get 5K on chains but wow this has me thinking.


BTW the 57 miles this morning even early were brutally hot here. I have
drank at least 5 liters of liquid in some form or another and not even
had a beer yet....that is coming soon.

Deacon Mark

Good gosh Lou how fast do you ride and how old are you? I have to admit
I am runner first but last 5 years have decided my running legs are gone
but still go very slow. On the bike though I can keep up with fellows 1/2 my age.

Deacon Mark

Well not that much faster Mark. I would be disappointed if my average
speed on a 75-100 km/hr ride would be below 31 km/hr except in early
season and easy rides of course. I'm turning 63 yr in december.

Lou


I’ll be 63 in October. I’d be disappointed if my average on a 75-100k ride
was less than 29 km/hr but I bet our roads are in worse shape than yours.
I do better on rides in New York or Vermont which are both close. But then
that depends on the hills. 😊

Personally I think at our age we aren’t doing so bad. Coworkers stopped
asking me what I did over the weekend and now just ask how many kilometres.


--
duane

wrote:
On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:47:58 AM UTC+2, wrote:
On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:06:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Ok I have at least 6800 miles on my 11 speed Shimano Ultegra chain. I
keep it pretty good take it off after maybe 1000-1500 miles and soak in
OMS and such. I don't ride in the rain at least on purpose. The
cornfields of Illinois are flat so no real climbs. I measured my chain
with machinist rule shows less than 1/16 or close in 1 foot.

I just think keep riding it the bike shifts flawless. But then maybe
another voice says, no just put a new chain on they don't last that
long something must be amuck. No skipping and I am not a slow rider I
general run 50 mile routes at 17-19.5 mph, I no kid at 58, but can
chains last that long? Finally I notice I am running Conti GP4000's II
and they have 6000 miles on them and not worn out yet.

So would you all put a new chain on I don't see any wear on cassette? I
normally get 5K on chains but wow this has me thinking.


BTW the 57 miles this morning even early were brutally hot here. I have
drank at least 5 liters of liquid in some form or another and not even
had a beer yet....that is coming soon.

Deacon Mark

Ok Andrew I am going to replace the chain. On the side if I make a trip
up your way to check out the digs can you set me on a good route to
ride? Of course you mind if go through the place an see what looks cool
I will probably won't drive any exactly crazy.

Deacon Mark

Mark compare the old chain with the new chain. That is what I always do.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Wgc6u14oJ2Yu4R19

Lou


My first chain on my 11 speed SRAM seemed to be lasting forever.
Eventually the cassette was shot. First, 11 speed chains are bad above .5,
not .7. But even then it didn’t look stretched. Brought it to the LBS and
they confirmed there was no stretch. But it seemed to rock side to side on
the cog. Anyway, my cassette is not cheap so now I change the chain at
4500km And get 2 or 3 chains per cassette. Depending on conditions.

When I say forever, I mean 6000 km. Not miles. At 6000 miles it may be
worth just running until it skips and change the chain and cassette.

--
duane

On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:55:48 PM UTC+2, Duane wrote:
wrote:
On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:31:51 AM UTC+2, wrote:
On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 4:06:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Ok I have at least 6800 miles on my 11 speed Shimano Ultegra chain. I
keep it pretty good take it off after maybe 1000-1500 miles and soak in
OMS and such. I don't ride in the rain at least on purpose. The
cornfields of Illinois are flat so no real climbs. I measured my chain
with machinist rule shows less than 1/16 or close in 1 foot.

I just think keep riding it the bike shifts flawless. But then maybe
another voice says, no just put a new chain on they don't last that
long something must be amuck. No skipping and I am not a slow rider I
general run 50 mile routes at 17-19.5 mph, I no kid at 58, but can
chains last that long? Finally I notice I am running Conti GP4000's II
and they have 6000 miles on them and not worn out yet.

So would you all put a new chain on I don't see any wear on cassette? I
normally get 5K on chains but wow this has me thinking.


BTW the 57 miles this morning even early were brutally hot here. I have
drank at least 5 liters of liquid in some form or another and not even
had a beer yet....that is coming soon.

Deacon Mark

Good gosh Lou how fast do you ride and how old are you? I have to admit
I am runner first but last 5 years have decided my running legs are gone
but still go very slow. On the bike though I can keep up with fellows 1/2 my age.

Deacon Mark

Well not that much faster Mark. I would be disappointed if my average
speed on a 75-100 km/hr ride would be below 31 km/hr except in early
season and easy rides of course. I'm turning 63 yr in december.

Lou


I’ll be 63 in October. I’d be disappointed if my average on a 75-100k ride
was less than 29 km/hr but I bet our roads are in worse shape than yours.
I do better on rides in New York or Vermont which are both close. But then
that depends on the hills. 😊

Personally I think at our age we aren’t doing so bad. Coworkers stopped
asking me what I did over the weekend and now just ask how many kilometres.


--
duane

Yes I think too that we doing OK compared to people of our age with 20 kg overweight and all kind of medical issues. I had a good day today. Did 100 km. First 45 km until the coffee break with the group where we have to ensure that our oldest member (72 year of age) keeps up: 26.3 km/hr and 119 Watt average. After that I did an extra loop alone (most of the others had to be home early) of 55 km: 34.5 km/hr and 205 Watt average . Perfect weather (19-23C and not to windy), flat and we have very good roads indeed ;-)

Lou

On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 5:44:37 PM UTC+2, wrote:
On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 12:55:48 PM UTC+2, Duane wrote:
After that I did an extra loop alone (most of the others had to be home early) of 55 km: 34.5 km/hr and 205 Watt average . Perfect weather (19-23C and not to windy), flat and we have very good roads indeed ;-)

Lou

Forgot to mention that on the end of my ride it was E bike rush hour. Sunday nice weather at 12.00 - 13.00 hr. I kept my cool and kept polite but man you have to pay attention...

Lou

On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at 11:55:49 AM UTC+1, Duane wrote:
Anyway, my cassette is not cheap so now I change the chain at
4500km And get 2 or 3 chains per cassette. Depending on conditions.

It's funny how often this 4500km per chain comes up, in this thread by at least four cyclists. 4500km is what I've worked my chain life up to and then decided that further improvements are likely to be marginal for ever more disproportionate effort, and to rest there. It also happens to be a convenient base for changing tyres because my Big Apples can easily go 9000km (or 13,500km, though I'm not even trying for that), all multiples of 4500, and 4500 is an agreeable substitute for the 5000km service interval on my Rohloff hub gearbox.

Andre Jute
Touring bicyclists have the roadies beat hollow for chain life

On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 2:06:02 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Ok I have at least 6800 miles on my 11 speed Shimano Ultegra chain. I keep it pretty good take it off after maybe 1000-1500 miles and soak in OMS and such. I don't ride in the rain at least on purpose. The cornfields of Illinois are flat so no real climbs. I measured my chain with machinist rule shows less than 1/16 or close in 1 foot.

I just think keep riding it the bike shifts flawless. But then maybe another voice says, no just put a new chain on they don't last that long something must be amuck. No skipping and I am not a slow rider I general run 50 mile routes at 17-19.5 mph, I no kid at 58, but can chains last that long? Finally I notice I am running Conti GP4000's II and they have 6000 miles on them and not worn out yet.

So would you all put a new chain on I don't see any wear on cassette? I normally get 5K on chains but wow this has me thinking.


BTW the 57 miles this morning even early were brutally hot here. I have drank at least 5 liters of liquid in some form or another and not even had a beer yet....that is coming soon.

Deacon Mark

Stop passing me so fast on the climbs Maryjo.

On Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 11:43:53 PM UTC+1, AMuzi wrote:

An 11 chain at 6800 miles without wear is either a
measurement error or divine intervention.

On the third day that chain will rise and walk away into history, and get 2 minutes on television, and be followed by a talking dog, 2 minutes, and President Trump's latest diabolical "outrage", 2m, and a humanitarian catastrophe in Ruanda-Burundi (2m).

Andre Jute
Perspective