chdot is right! Chains do stretch; the steel sideplates lengthen due to tensile loading, also rivets wear and rivet holes 'stretch'; also the collars wear. Try holding a similar length of new and old chain by one end on its side and look at the curvature of each in comparison.
Chainsaw chains are worked very hard and show 'accelerated' forms of wear characteristics that you'll find some of on a bike chain.
My rear mech now skipping, so removing one link should make all the difference; it is a very long chain on a recumbreational tho' and the chain management is a technological delight! Because these machines are 'invisible' no-one else will notice one link shorter! ;}
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Bike maintenance philosophy
(35 posts)-
Posted 14 years ago #
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ps if you want to clean chain and let oil penetrate, using 'dead' or 'red' diesel fuel is a good bathing agent; but it is carcinogenic like most petrochem products so don't forget to wear rubber gloves when handling. And dispose of sensibly please!
Posted 14 years ago # -
I think it's pretty well established roadie-lore that you replace the chain before it becomes so "stretched" that it starts to damage the cassette. This makes good financial sense as replacing a cassette costs a lot more than replacing a chain.
Posted 14 years ago # -
"chdot is right!"
Well...
"Chains do stretch; the steel sideplates lengthen due to tensile loading"
Ah, wasn't aware of that small technicality.
Posted 14 years ago # -
Much more on chains here -
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=1457#post-15848
Posted 14 years ago #
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