Recumbent Chain Life

My chain has about 1400 miles on it with no signs of wear.

Derek

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Drrecumbnt
I was wondering if anyone has tracked the mileage/ life of their 9-speed chain. Thanks Bob Bryant
recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if anyone has tracked the mileage/ life of their 9-speed chain. Thanks Bob Bryant
recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

I did on my OEM chain on my '99 RANS Stratus. I got 7906 miles out of a KMC 9 spd.

I lost my data point on the original Shimano Chain that came on my Lightning Voyager. The bike has
about 6500 miles now and about 5700 when I replaced the chain.
--

Cletus D. Lee Bacchetta Giro Lightning Voyager clee.orgclee.orgOpen ↗
- Bellaire, TX USA -

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if anyone has tracked the mileage/ life of their 9-speed chain. Thanks Bob Bryant

How about 8 speed? I replace the SRAM PC-58 on my Vision VR-42 after 6500 miles, though I probably
didn't need to, as it only showed about 0.5% "stretch." (The replacement guideline is to replace
when over 1% stretched.)

Steve Christensen Midland, MI

DrRecumbnt said:

I was wondering if anyone has tracked the mileage/ life of their 9-speed chain. Thanks Bob Bryant
recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

I don't have a 9 speed, but this is still relevent to the topic of recumbent chain life. I replaced
the chain on my Burley Django after 4000 miles. It was on the bike when I purchased it last year. 8
speed rear cluster, SRAM PC38 chain, SRAM 9.0 rear derailleur. The chain snapped twice in one week,
and upon further examination, I found one more link that was cracking. The chain was always well
maintained. I'd checked for chain stretch the week beore, and the chain seemed to be good in that
respect. The LBS thought it was because I down shifted on steep grades too often. I've since noticed
that the rubber chain idler wheel has a pretty steep groove cut into it. I've got a new one on
order. I was wondering if the groove could have contributed to the chain breaking. Should the idler
wheels be lasting longer? How many miles do other people get out of their rubber idler wheels?

- John

Every chain idler is different. I'm saying inspect every 6-12 months. My only idler wear out came
fast (split in half) 20 miles out, about 7:30 pm. I had to move the second idler and limp home.

I'm told that shifting under load shortens the life of a chain. I once snapped a new chain while
shifting under load.

Bob Bryant recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

Last one had 7400 km / 4600 miles on it when replaced. Everything was still working OK, but I wanted
to fit smaller chainrings.

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

Bob, I put a new chain on every year. However, IMO depending on conditions and chain maintenance
somewhere between 5 and 10K for a chain 7, 8, or 9. Am I reading somthing into your
request...specifically 9 speed chains? Wear faster? Break more often? The closest to breaking a 9
speed I have come was the result of improper shimano connecting pin insertion by the factory
assembeller. I spotted it on a routine chain inspection. I now use SRAM or KMC chains with their
respective QuickLink or MissingLink system. Some seem to think that there is some breakage problem
with 9 speed chains. I think this problem has to do more with the pins on the Shimano chains.

--
Jude....///Bacchetta AERO St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.. Maryland Wheel Doctor Cycle and Sports,
Inc 1-800-586-6645 "Dave Larrington" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Last one had 7400 km / 4600 miles on it when replaced. Everything was

still

Quoted message said:

working OK, but I wanted to fit smaller chainrings.

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

John

Quoted message said:

I replaced the chain on my Burley Django after 4000 miles. order. I was wondering if the groove
could have contributed to the chain breaking. Should the idler wheels be lasting longer?

Perhaps Hostel Shoppe knows something about this?

hostelshoppe.comreaditem.plOpen ↗

Warren

I came into 'bentdom with the impression that a chain might last 3000 miles with care. I also
thought that a KMC chain was a piece of [censored] since it was not Shimano or SRAM/Sachs. The OEM KMC
chain that came on my '99 RANS Stratus had to be the lowest of the low in chain. At about 3000 miles
I bought a 'good' chain (SRAM) with the intention of replacing the KMC 'piece of junk' on my
Stratus. On checking I saw the KMC chain had usable life left in it and others pointed out that the
longer chain path on a bent afforded a longer lifespan than might be expected on a DF. So, I left it
on. And on and on. I did replace it 8000 miles but it could have lasted a little longer.

I do agree that the best replacement chain is SRAM. I like the Quick link. Shimano on the other hand
does not recommend the use of quick links and requires special pins. These pins are expensive (~$1)
when compared to the included SRAM Link (free).

Since 9-speed chains are narrower and require closer tolerances, I wonder if all 9 spd. chain
problems might be related to improperly installed or reused link pins. All manufacturers caution
against reusing the old link pins.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

This isn't a 9-speed witch hunt : - ) In theory, it makes sense that 9-speeds are not as durable
and are more finicky to tune - - and based on earlier feedback and experiences, I've written
both before.

However, I'm not hearing about either as much these days. My 9-speed test bikes have been almost
completely dependable (aside from BikeE RX chain snapping under load). I'm pro 9/27 speed.

As for chain brand, I'm pro SRAM. I wouldn't recommend replacing KMC just because it's KMC, but
upon replacement, I'd recommend SRAM. This dates back to personal preference, our KMC chain test
from a few years back (and discussions with the folks at KMC), and replacement availability.

So far the record chain mileage I've had reported to me is 10K miles on a 9-speed KMC in Florida.

Bob Bryant recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

--

Cletus D. Lee Bacchetta Giro Lightning Voyager clee.orgclee.orgOpen ↗
- Bellaire, TX USA -

Warren Berger said:

John

Quoted message said:

I replaced the chain on my Burley Django after 4000 miles. order. I was wondering if the groove
could have contributed to the chain breaking. Should the idler wheels be lasting longer?

Perhaps Hostel Shoppe knows something about this?

hostelshoppe.comreaditem.plOpen ↗

Warren

I have one on order from them. I sent them a note, and the reply indicated that at 4000 miles I'd
gotten my money's worth out of it.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

So far the record chain mileage I've had reported to me is 10K miles on a 9-speed KMC in Florida.

Bob Bryant

That's pretty impressive. But unless somone reports the amount of stretch in the chain when they
replaced it you can't really compare these figures. I can well imagine that some folks would be so
put off by the expense of buying 3 boxes of chain that they might use the original way past its
proper lifespan. And by then you probably need a new cassette and crankset too.

Steve Christensen

Warren and all I usually run an O-ring in the groove of the power side idler of my Wishbone. They
last about a 1000 miles and make the idler much quieter. Dave Balfour

[email hidden] (Warren Berger) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

John

Quoted message said:

I replaced the chain on my Burley Django after 4000 miles. order. I was wondering if the groove
could have contributed to the chain breaking. Should the idler wheels be lasting longer?

Perhaps Hostel Shoppe knows something about this?

hostelshoppe.comreaditem.plOpen ↗

Warren

Bob,

My R-40 came with a KMC chain and an HG-50 cassette. After only 1000 miles I had to replace both. I
went with an SRAM PC-59 chain (2.5 chains, really) and a Shimano XT cassette. 3000 miles later,
still no measurable chain "stretch" or chain skip under load. Not sure whether KMC can take all the
blame, though. I may not have been cleaning the chain often enough. Also, it seems to me that the
new XT cassette might be using a higher grade steel that wears longer.

As for chain breakage, this has happened to me only once, on a borrowed low-end 7/21-speed Trek
mountain bike. Not having a chain tool with me, I had to just wrap the chain around the handlebar
and "kick-scoot" the bike home. Later on I learned about the shoelace trick--DOH!

Bill Anton 2001 Vision R-40 SWB OSS Lubbock, TX, USA

[email hidden] (DrRecumbnt) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

This isn't a 9-speed witch hunt : - ) In theory, it makes sense that 9-speeds are not as durable
and are more finicky to tune - - and based on earlier feedback and experiences, I've written
both before.

However, I'm not hearing about either as much these days. My 9-speed test bikes have been almost
completely dependable (aside from BikeE RX chain snapping under load). I'm pro 9/27 speed.

As for chain brand, I'm pro SRAM. I wouldn't recommend replacing KMC just because it's KMC, but
upon replacement, I'd recommend SRAM. This dates back to personal preference, our KMC chain test
from a few years back (and discussions with the folks at KMC), and replacement availability.

So far the record chain mileage I've had reported to me is 10K miles on a 9-speed KMC in Florida.

Bob Bryant recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

Bob A few notes on this topic KMC claims to make 90% of Shimano chains. Only the low cost found in
third world countries are made by some other manufacture. When Rotator first started making
recumbents we used to piece 3 chains together and push the pins in. This resulted in a 10% failure
rate and a couple lost races. We now use chain from a roll and "quick links" and have not had a
failure in many years. Pushing pins in is a big "no no" 9 speed chain on every thing...7,8, or 9
speed clusters. Every year after the rainy season I replace the chains on my daily rider. 5000 miles
My Ti Pursuit is a 63 speed using a Nexus 7 for the mid-drive with Shimano 9 Durace on the wheel.
7.5 to 1 ratio change on a 20" rear wheel. Most bikes have a 4 to 1 ratio change. My chain rotates
up to 3.5 times more then most other chains. Front chain does not go thru a derailleur where the
rear chain does. Front chain showed little stretch, less the 1/2". Rear chain stretched over 1 1/2"

Seems rear derailleurs work chains hard. Steve "Speedy" Delaire

DrRecumbnt said:

I was wondering if anyone has tracked the mileage/ life of their 9-speed chain. Thanks Bob Bryant
recumbentcyclistnews.comrecumbentcyclistnews.comOpen ↗

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