Chain and Cogs: Don’t wait too long!

[Jason B]

^^^^^
Good call on checking the chain. Finally broke down and bought Park’s CC-2 chain wear tool. Found my chain was way past worn, and this was after only 1,000 miles (too many training hills, getting ready for Garrett). For fun I brought the tool to work and found that three of four guys I ride with had worn chains. We saved a few cassettes that day.

[ShawnoftheDread]

Somewhat related, getting my hybrid ready for the week today I noticed I had broken a spoke sometime last week. After pulling the freewheel, I saw that wasn’t all I broke. Two teeth missing from the third sprocket:

The thing is, I don’t recall anything happening that could explain it.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@ShawnoftheDread 55286 wrote:

The thing is, I don’t recall anything happening that could explain it.

Massive guadz.

[mstone]

@ShawnoftheDread 55286 wrote:

Somewhat related, getting my hybrid ready for the week today I noticed I had broken a spoke sometime last week. After pulling the freewheel, I saw that wasn’t all I broke. Two teeth missing from the third sprocket:

The thing is, I don’t recall anything happening that could explain it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]3119[/ATTACH]

[Dirt]

Shawn, those cogs look really worn too. most look quite shark-finned, which is not really what they’re supposed to look like.

[jnva]

Hey dirt, how does this look:

[ATTACH]3121[/ATTACH]

[mstone]

pointy; I’m guessing that the teeth on the two bigger rings originally looked more like the ones on the little ring?

[Dirt]

Hard to tell from a photo. My guess is that the chainrings are quite worn. I’d suggest getting a chain wear measuring tool. That will tell you a lot. You can also have your local shop look at it too.

[ronwalf]

@jnva 55308 wrote:

Hey dirt, how does this look

I wouldn’t be happy with the visible gap between the chain and cog.

[Rod Smith]

@ronwalf 55317 wrote:

I wouldn’t be happy with the visible gap between the chain and cog.

Yes, looking at how the chain lines up with the chainring teeth is a great illustration of how it all goes bad. Each roller hanging on a little closer to the edge. Your next drivetrain repair will include replacing everything.

[eminva]

Thanks, Pete!

One question: I have heard it said that you should replace your cassette whenever you replace your chain. I have also heard that if you replace your chain before it gets too bad you can extend the life of your cassette and don’t need to replace it with every new chain. Is there any accepted wisdom on this point, or do reasonable minds disagree?

Thanks.

Liz

[ShawnoftheDread]

@eminva 55376 wrote:

Is there any accepted wisdom on this point, or do reasonable minds disagree?

Thanks.

Liz

Now where are we going to find reasonable minds on this forum?

[ShawnoftheDread]

@jnva 55308 wrote:

Hey dirt, how does this look:

[ATTACH]3121[/ATTACH]

My chain also hangs off the chainrings like this (even when it was new in the fall) and the rings are the kind that are permanently attached to the cranks. I’m assuming my only option if full crank replacement.

[jnva]

@ShawnoftheDread 55380 wrote:

My chain also hangs off the chainrings like this (even when it was new in the fall) and the rings are the kind that are permanently attached to the cranks. I’m assuming my only option if full crank replacement.

Yeah, I was going to try drilling out those stupid rivets. I don’t understand why it was built like this! I guess maybe it was cheaper to put together. I don’t see any reason why I should have to replace the cranks.

[hozn]

@jnva 55383 wrote:

Yeah, I was going to try drilling out those stupid rivets. I don’t understand why it was built like this! I guess maybe it was cheaper to put together. I don’t see any reason why I should have to replace the cranks.

It is [sadly] often cheaper to replace the whole thing anyway, though (as opposed to buying two new rings). E.g. http://www.jensonusa.com/Shimano-CX50-Cyclocross-Crankset (those are my commuter/cross cranks; love ’em)

[Author]

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