Chain, cassette and chainrings

Calum said:

I'd appreciate some help in selecting replacement parts
for my Dawes Horizon touring bike. The chain and teeth are
worn (about 4000 miles) and I'd like to replace them but
don't know which spec is appropriate eg chain PC48,58,68 ?
Cassette HG30,50,70 ?

The bike has 7sp 11-28 cassette, IG chain, 24/34/42
chainrings attached with 5 bolts.

Please can you suggest some parts that would be good for
general UK touring and shorter audax.

Thanks,

Calum.

Go for the highest PC?8 that you are prepared to pay. I like
the silver or the silver and black ones. The cheapest all
black ones are horrid, I have a PC38 with 5 lilnks from a
PC58, the all black part has siezed twice this winter where
as the PC58 part hasn't. Go for HG50 or 70, the higher the
better in my opinion. If there is a huge price difference go
for the cheaper option. Changing your chain regularly, say
every 1500-2000 miles will mean you need to change your
cassette much less frequently. I'd be surprised if the
chainrings are not still servicable, I have never had to
replace mine but as I say I replace chains more frequently
than most. My tourer has done over 15000 miles on the
original rings, they are worn but not worn out. Get
Stronglight or TA chainrings that will fit onto your
crasnkset.

Calum said:

I'd appreciate some help in selecting replacement parts
for my Dawes Horizon touring bike. The chain and teeth are
worn (about 4000 miles) and I'd like to replace them but
don't know which spec is appropriate eg chain PC48,58,68 ?
Cassette HG30,50,70 ?

The bike has 7sp 11-28 cassette, IG chain, 24/34/42
chainrings attached with 5 bolts.

Please can you suggest some parts that would be good for
general UK touring and shorter audax.

I've not had any problems with the lower SRAM chain models
myself. No need for PC68 and above, in my opinion. PC41, 48
and 58 will work on your bike, as will any model of Shimano
7sp cassette. PC58 is a good compromise if in doubt: half
black, half silver! Get a Powerlink with the chain (see
www.sram.com).

Chainrings are unlikely to need replacing (I suggest trying
them with the new chain) but if/when you do replace:
Specialites TA aluminium rings are very good. Would be a
good idea to get a steel inner ring, though, as 24T is such
a small size. Shimano make some reasonably priced ones (but
I'm not sure how long they last).

If buying online, check: Parker International, eBay, Chain
Reaction, Settle Cycles, St John Street Cycles

~PB

Calum said:

I'd appreciate some help in selecting replacement parts
for my Dawes Horizon touring bike. The chain and teeth are
worn (about 4000 miles) and I'd like to replace them but
don't know which spec is appropriate eg chain PC48,58,68 ?
Cassette HG30,50,70 ?

The bike has 7sp 11-28 cassette, IG chain, 24/34/42
chainrings attached with 5 bolts.

Please can you suggest some parts that would be good for
general UK touring and shorter audax.

Thanks,

Calum.

The PC48 is fine. There is no need to pay more for the
'higher spec' models. I'd suggest buying two chains and then
rotating them. This is not onerous and it will encourage you
to clean and lubricate your chain more frequently than you
will do with a single chain. I switch my dirty chain every
6-8 weeks for the clean one of the pair. Takes about 5
minutes to change; the dirty one then soaks a week or so in
solvent (white spirit) before I submerge it in a pot of
chainsaw oil. After 10 mins in the oil, hangs on a nail in
the shed so that it's dripped off and ready for the next
switch a few weeks later.

--
David Green Cambridge, UK.

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