Chain Breaker. photo-Cor Vos
I replace my chain every year, more or less. It tends toward less as I don’t have a set anniversary for new chains. Usually I notice the shifting is lagging a second and it dawns on me that the chain is in need of replacement. In my youth I would keep the same chain on the bike forever. I even used to take it off, and reinstall it inside out (?!) thinking…thinking that I was a cheap idiot. The result of that was the rear cogs were always ruined too, reinforcing the cheap idiot thing. Since replacing the chain on a yearly basis I’ve never had to replace a cassette. I’ve heard that the Fabian Cancellara’s of the pro peloton get a new chain once a week. The pros are fifty-two times more mighty.
This most recent chain replacement had me using a Campagnolo Chorus chain I had attempted to install on another bike and failed. I shamefully put the chain on a shelf until I had stocked up on Campagnolo’s special bullet shaped, don’t drop this on the shop floor or you will never find it, you only get one shot at this, very special chain pin. Maybe it’s like redoing your handlebar tape or filing taxes; these jobs only done once a year never go perfectly. Installing the Campagnolo chain is like what I imagine arming a field tactical nuclear weapon is like. It is cramped. It requires small hands. It requires excellent vision. It requires mechanical skills and you only get one shot at it. Luckily, for me, the whole mess was contained with a KMC 11-speed quick link, whew, done and dusted.
My point is, when one changes just one component on one’s bike, the change is very noticeable, The first few pedal strokes out on the road with a new chain is a subtle revelation. It feels different. It feels better. Damn it feels excellent.
Or is it all in the mind. This article was linked in the Velominati posts a while back. In a world full of anecdotal evidence I do enjoy an article where our perceptions are put to the test. Maybe my new chain feeling is all in my head? Who cares, I can still enjoy it and “in my head” is where enjoyment happens anyway.
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@RedRanger
@frank
Not according to Campagnolo
@TommyTubolare
Have the cows come home yet? Been having this argument for years.
@TommyTubolare
Nice!
I'm just besides myself considering that all this thought can go in to the maintenance of the chain and I've never been one to really think at all about it. Strange as I love obsessing about my bikes but the chain's just not been on radar. Hmmm...
just ordered new chain for my 9 bike, a park tool checker, and lube. very influential this thread!
love the 'encrustations' on the chain in the Campag guidelines!
Damn, what a timely article. There's me out of the office all day yesterday and missed its first showing. Funnily enough, I rode #1 on Monday night and noticed some clicks from the drivetain. Wanting to adhere to the PoS, I checked the chain. Stretched! 5 mins later a new KMC is installed and lubed. I always buy a couple of chains when I see them on sale (same for cassettes). Being of an age before such things as reusable links, I think they are the best thing since sliced bread. Shimano and Campag pins? Never again.
Of course the replaceable link is not exactly new. I remember using these as a kid.
Jaysus Gianni, you are a genius for getting the minutiae ball rolling! This article and discussion is perfect for a rare rainy day in Miami.
Back in the day my LBS had an industrial ultrasonic degreaser and two days before race day the chain would spend 20 minutes in the bath then get hung from a rafter in the basement where it would get a blow job @120psi from the industrial compressor that ran all the air in the shop above. Then I would use a needle thin applicator to drop the perfect amount of lube into each link, one side at a time. Lastly a clean rag would polish the chain off of all external lube.
I miss that ritual and dream of the day where I can replicate it. Yes, I know that I have striped off the factory lube, yes I could have used paraffin (graphite too), all those good things but this was a weekly thing and the chain was new every three to four weeks. Also I'm talking 5 - 7 speed casettes not this new fangled 11 stuff. The reason for the 2 day rule was to make sure the reattached link had a pre ride in case there was an issue.
My chains were spotless, quiet and I never skipped a gear in 5 years... Now not so much but my only competition is the Sunday morning race to espresso!
As a PS someone above mentioned degreasing, then rinsing and drying with a rag. The nice thing about the air compressor is that there is no chance of moisture remaining, which would interfere with the lube.
@rfreese888
Spaghetti alla Vongole anyone?
@Puffy
Why was I, you mean. Those were my early days of personal bike maintenance. That's why I wrote that enough time has passed that I can laugh about it, because I was pretty pissed I couldn't find the link for around a year. Thank heavens the VMH decided to bake a cake and needed that mixing bowl!
Also, I'm sure most of you know this, but the new-ish Park Tool chain tool works on all the chains I use, Campa, KMC, Shimano, etc. I'm only on 9 and 10 though, no 11.
For me, first installation of Campa I use the pin. If I mess it up, I have a KMC Campa-specific master link on hand. After the first chain breaking, I then install a master link and can remove/reinstall easily whenever needed.