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

Nate says:

Apr 30 2015 at 12:39 pm

@osbk67

@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…

(1) why strip the lube out of the inner sanctum of the chain? The system I've arrived at works for the conditions I deal with.

(2) can't speak to the second question as my purchasing habits tend toward framesets to which I fit one of several available wheelsets according to the riding I intend to do rather than complete bikes. Agree that the tires fitted to complete bikes are almost universally rubbish.
Mikael Liddy says:

Apr 30 2015 at 4:46 pm

Just quietly, it doesn't matter how new your chain is at this point...there's still too much friction.

36x25 was not the appropriate gearing...
Mikael Liddy says:

Apr 30 2015 at 4:49 pm

@Nate

@osbk67

@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…

(1) why strip the lube out of the inner sanctum of the chain? The system I’ve arrived at works for the conditions I deal with.

(2) can’t speak to the second question as my purchasing habits tend toward framesets to which I fit one of several available wheelsets according to the riding I intend to do rather than complete bikes. Agree that the tires fitted to complete bikes are almost universally rubbish.

R5 came with 700x25 Conti GP4000s as stock. Exception to the rule.
Nate says:

Apr 30 2015 at 9:11 pm

@Mikael Liddy

@Nate

@osbk67

@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…

(1) why strip the lube out of the inner sanctum of the chain? The system I’ve arrived at works for the conditions I deal with.

(2) can’t speak to the second question as my purchasing habits tend toward framesets to which I fit one of several available wheelsets according to the riding I intend to do rather than complete bikes. Agree that the tires fitted to complete bikes are almost universally rubbish.

R5 came with 700×25 Conti GP4000s as stock. Exception to the rule.

I suppose those are ok, for clinchers.
ErikdR says:

Apr 30 2015 at 11:01 pm

@KogaLover

@RedRanger

@DeKerr

@KogaLover

One tool to check them all. You are correct, it is only the width of the chain that decreases as you add cogs to the cassette. The length from pin to pin is constant… unless you apply too much V (or not enough care), in which you have to swap out the chain.

Also, a 6 speed steel steed!?! Pics pls.

Yup. Link length hasn’t changed. Park tools does make another chain checker that costs about 3 times as much to tell you the same thing the one I posted does. For a home mechanic this will work perfectly.

I saw that pricier tool as well. But since my LBS uses the cheaper chain checker, I thought that that one would be pro enough. I just got Park’s TW 5 tork wrench and now need to find adapters….

Late to the party - but just stumbled over this exchange and was surprised that the request for pics hasn't triggered a barrage of drool-worthy Koga Miyata photographs (yet)? To the best of my knowledge, the steed to which @Kogalover refers is a 1982 Koga Miyata Road Speed in the absolutely stunning colour referred to as "Indian Red". (Yes, I'm suffering from severe Koga-envy...) I have a nice stock picture of such a bike on my hard disk and will try to figure out how to upload it. (But secretly hoping that @Kogalover will beat me to it)
ErikdR says:

Apr 30 2015 at 11:07 pm

Heck with it... (Insert winky-smiley emoticon here)
RobSandy says:

May 1 2015 at 12:39 am

@Nate

@Mikael Liddy

@Nate

@osbk67

Agree that the tires fitted to complete bikes are almost universally rubbish.

R5 came with 700×25 Conti GP4000s as stock. Exception to the rule.

I suppose those are ok, for clinchers.

I'd like to ask how you go about choosing replacement tyres (there seems to be a lot of choice), but would that take us too far off topic?
Ron says:

May 1 2015 at 7:56 am

Nate - yup, I regularly get over and above 5000km on my Campa chains. I lube post-ride frequently, and most definitely if it was wet out.
Nate says:

May 1 2015 at 9:46 am

@RobSandy

That sure is a big can of worms.
johnthughes says:

May 1 2015 at 12:09 pm

So, that settles it.

Replace chain, oil it, let bike set till next ride, wipe down chain, go for ride, replace chain. repeat for all consequent rides.

Glad we got it cleared up.

Seems a bit expensive...but what the hell, I buy Conti's too.