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

TBONE says:

Apr 27 2015 at 2:21 pm

@danny

@TBONE – why do you think you need to change the Quick Link?

The manufacturer says so, and I don't want to snap one and have a bad time.

@Flatlander

@TBONE

What kind of graphite do you use? And how would I go about getting some? Cheers.

Home Depot, near the locksmith area, the powdered stuff. The paraffin can be found in the canning area of your local supermarkte

@Hein

My chains (Ultegra or DA) last about 3000 to 5000 km. I replace them when my Park Tool checker tells me to.

I am relatively new to this site, but isn’t all the talk about miles against at least one rule?

@TBONE

I’ve heard of this method before. Is it effective in wet conditions?

mostly. I've done a few really wet races, and needed to swap the chain out afterwards, but everyone's drivetrain was a mess anyways.

Even though I live in Vancouver, I avoid riding in the rain, and if it's wet out I'll head to the velodrome, or the gym.
DeKerr says:

Apr 27 2015 at 2:27 pm

@Hein

It's all the "bloody yanks" on this site that keep messing with the measurements. You'll notice that @TBONE uses the correct metric for calculating distance, as well as demonstrating a significant level of meticulousness in the care of his drivetrain.
Hein says:

Apr 27 2015 at 2:53 pm

@DeKerr

Yes, I noticed that and I am considering trying his method for myself. I only don't want to be forced to swap the chain - and throw away a ql - every time I drive in the rain, which is about once a week, unfortunately.
Gianni says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:11 pm

@JohnB

A new chain is indeed a wonderful thing. No matter how often you clean and lube there is something extra slick and silent about a new one. What grease do the manufacturers put on them before packaging?

I love the lube that the factory uses. It is some warm bath of lube-goodness and i would love to be able to replicate it. I know this post is going to turn into a lube-fest. So be it.

Once a year though? I couldn’t wait that long except on the fixed because it’s 1/8th. Twice a year on the #1 and hardtail, every 3 months max on the wet/ winter bike. It’s been a long while since I too purchased a new cassette and the Park CC3.2 chain checker has been worth every penny of the £6 it was when purchased back in the day.

To me chains are a throwaway consumable, a pleasing item to change out and saving money elsewhere, Dura Ace on the #1, 105 on the others.

Chapeau! Don't screw around.
Gianni says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:15 pm

@Joshua

What JohnB said, I’m surprised it’s only once a year. After a big two month block, I had to change an 8 week old chain (it was Rival, because I can’t afford 1090 every two months).

You probably could change it more often ;)

It's because I'm only 1/52nd of a Pro. You must be 8/52, or 15.4% of Pro. Yes, I could change it more often if I put in the awesome miles, which I don't. Because I suck.
CerveloVan says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:26 pm

@JohnB

I just had my chain, chain rings, cassette replaced for the cost of about $1000 (included brakes and other stuff) because I was not paying attention, and wore the chain rings down badly. I guess it only took a few rides where I had not cleaned it properly for the damage to be done. I do about 9000K on this bike, and had not replaced the chain rings for several years.

I live in Vancouver as well, and for the most part use my winter bike for rainy days, but my Cervelo has seen rain.
Gianni says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:27 pm

@TBONE

I gave up on chain lube and its messes last winter. I bought to Campagnolo Chorus chains, and stripped the factory grease off of them. Melted a pot of paraffin wax, and dumped in some graphite. Added the chains, and let them stew in there for a while. I took one out, and put it on my new drivetrain, secured with a KMC 11 speed quick link. I just don’t have the patience to muck about with the pin.

Every ~900km I need to remove the chain, and swap it out with the one that is entombed in the wax. Heat up the wax, and do the switcheroo. My drivetrain is silent, always clean, never needs lube, never leaves a mark on my leg. No visible wear on the cluster or rings. Granted I have to use a new quick link each time, but I won’t have to replace the drivetrain for a long time coming.

OK, I was going to call you an animal for removing the sacred Italian factory red sauce, Granny Campy's family recipe. But your plan of wax and graphite is inspired.

Do you think it extends the chain life or just rocks because it is silent and always clean? Silent and clean would be more than enough.
Owen says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:29 pm

Speaking of cheap idiot, when I changed the chain for the first time on the now #1 I cheaped out and got the SRAM chain for an Ultegra gruppo-san. Wouldn't you know it never shifted right until I finally bought the more expensive but correct chain. On the bright side, constantly troubleshooting shifting problems *did* allow me to find a crack in the frame that was subsequently covered by the Fuji warranty.
Owen says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:35 pm

@TBONE

Ratio of wax to carbon? Inquiring minds want to know.
Gianni says:

Apr 27 2015 at 3:42 pm

@TBONE

I gave up on chain lube and its messes last winter. I bought to Campagnolo Chorus chains, and stripped the factory grease off of them. Melted a pot of paraffin wax, and dumped in some graphite. Added the chains, and let them stew in there for a while. I took one out, and put it on my new drivetrain, secured with a KMC 11 speed quick link. I just don’t have the patience to muck about with the pin.

Every ~900km I need to remove the chain, and swap it out with the one that is entombed in the wax. Heat up the wax, and do the switcheroo. My drivetrain is silent, always clean, never needs lube, never leaves a mark on my leg. No visible wear on the cluster or rings. Granted I have to use a new quick link each time, but I won’t have to replace the drivetrain for a long time coming.

I might just completely switch over to the KMC quick links. My 80% success rate on the pins is not too encouraging. Or when the Wipperman Connex 11 speed chains don't require a trip to Germany to buy them I might go there instead.