Categories: The Bikes

That New Chain Feeling

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.

Gianni

Gianni has left the building.

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View Comments

razmaspaz says:

Apr 29 2015 at 11:13 am

@frank

@Ron

@unversio

@Gianni

Bar tape 3 to 4 times a year — and utilize a winter drivetrain and a summer drivetrain. This guards the Principle of Silence all year.

As much as I’d like to replace it, the fi’zi:k microtex glossy on my LOOK is going strong after a few years. It looks new, those guys have to make less awesome tape.

The only reason I ever change my fi'zi:k tape is when the cables or handlebars wear out.

I really hope your handlebars outlast your cables more often than not.
unversio says:

Apr 29 2015 at 12:08 pm

@Nate

I will put the silence of my machine against any of you.

We need to get on a cogal together then -- I can't even hear my own bike, except for the tubular tyre hum.
Nate says:

Apr 29 2015 at 12:09 pm

@unversio

@Nate

I will put the silence of my machine against any of you.

We need to get on a cogal together then — I can’t even hear my own bike, except for the tubular tyre hum.

That's how I roll too.
unversio says:

Apr 29 2015 at 12:29 pm

Noticed that Campagnolo appropriately denotes their chainset by 10V.
Bespoke says:

Apr 29 2015 at 8:00 pm

@TommyTubolare

@RedRanger

@frank

Not according to Campagnolo

Shouldn't #9 be #44?
markb says:

Apr 29 2015 at 11:12 pm

Remember that a chain can 'appear' to be clean, but it's not! Last winter we had a load of dust dumped on London from the Sahara desert (not an unusual event) and, although I regularly clean the bike and chain, with a Park Tool, I thought everything was OK. Took it to the LBS for a service* and was told I needed a new chain, cassette and BB as the sand had ground everything down. I trust them, and could immediately tell the difference when I rode it home.

* although I can do most routine stuff myself, I came to the conclusion that it's cheaper to pay the LBS for a full service than buy all the special tools. Plus I'm about as a patient as a women with PMT with fiddly little screws.
Oli says:

Apr 30 2015 at 5:37 am

@unversio

v = veloce = speed, ergo 10 speed.
Owen says:

Apr 30 2015 at 7:12 am

@Oli

@unversio

v = veloce = speed, ergo 10 speed.

I like to think it means 10 times the V out of that chain.
osbk67 says:

Apr 30 2015 at 11:25 am

@Nate

I get at least 5000 km out of a campagnolo chain. I wipe off the extra goop on the new one, then start lubing after 200km with NixFrixShun. Why would you strip out the factory lube? Do you think you know better than Campagnolo or Shimano what works? Wipe after every ride, and it’s shiny clean. Add three drops when the chain starts to make noise. I will put the silence of my machine against any of you.

On a better day I'd ignore this, I'll probably regret getting into it later, and far be it from me to question Shimano. Much less Campagnolo. But it is possible that rather than the absolute best OE chain lubricant, something that is the best compromise across expected usage, wet/dry, hot/cold, dusty/muddy, ends up in there? Throw in cost. Is the logical extension of this approach to replace the factory-spec. tyres on one's top bike with the same exact model again and again? And what tyre pressure does the factory recommend? Or we could seek to improve, refine and tailor to specifics...
Stephen says:

Apr 30 2015 at 12:06 pm

Even if, and I think this is a big IF, as your last paragraph would imply, the effect of a new chain can be marginalized down to a simple application of Rule 6, does it not take fewer pedal strokes to close a gap in the line or to open a gap when you have a new chain on?