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

Owen says:

Apr 28 2015 at 6:44 am

@Barracuda

Shifting was always a little spongy on the cassette, and the local wrenches were having a hard time figuring out why. They basically replaced every drive train component in a systematic fashion and it didn't help, but they noticed a small crack in the paint where the shift cable entered the frame on the top tube. Reasoned that paint crack was due to crack in underlying carbon. Called up Fuji and a week later had a new frame.

The shop guys definitely got a case of beer for that one.
the Engine says:

Apr 28 2015 at 8:27 am

@frank

@frank

@Gianni

@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.

I think the frequency of required chain replacement has a lot to do with how clean you keep it, how much you lube it, and how you ride.

I clean my chain obsessively and have never had much need to change it until I started big-ringing more often and found it to stretch a lot more quickly.

And, rather than just guessing at how many miles it takes you to fuck your shit up, routine use of a chain gauge takes the guesswork out of it.

And DuMonde Tech is still the best lube out there.

The chain and chain ring on a SRAM Force CX1 last for about 1,500kms in winter if you're lucky no matter how much you clean them
KogaLover says:

Apr 28 2015 at 8:55 am

@RickWasn't that the same country that sent a monkey into space first?
KogaLover says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:01 am

@RedRanger

Thanks for pic. When reading this post earlier today, already went browsing for an appropriate Park tool to check my chains, and found the one you put on later. Good to get confirmation that's the one to get. Does it (have to) make a distinction between chains for cassettes with say 5-6 or 9-11 cogs? My old steel bike would fall into the first category (6 cogs was the thing back then). Or is only chainwidth different but length same?
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:26 am

@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.
frank says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:34 am

@Rick

@Ccos

We may be “Yanks” – but remember this. There are only two types of countries. Those that use the metric system and those that have put a man on the moon!

...which was accomplished with science that relied on the metric system...
frank says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:35 am

@the Engine

That sentence should not exist.
Teocalli says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:39 am

@Rick

@Ccos

We may be “Yanks” – but remember this. There are only two types of countries. Those that use the metric system and those that have put a man on the moon!

Wasn't it that Mars lander that tried to use both based on the US not realising the Euro partner used metric. Result being that it was travelling a tad quickly when it met the surface of Mars......................
Ron says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:43 am

I use the KMC master links with my Campa chains (Campa specific), work well for me, but plenty of folks love the Connex links.

And yes, as Frank writes, cleanliness and checking go a long way. I remember an LBS mechanic saying he tossed his chains at 1200 km. I regular get far, far more than that out of a chain. Buy a chain checker tool, use some calipers or Verniers and take the guess work out of it.

I also rotate through three chains at a time on my road bikes. Read about it on a forum when I was a Pedalwan and it has worked well. Buy a bunch of chains and links at a time, then simply chart via my odometer and swap out at 2500km. I continue to rotate through until they're done, I get 2-3 rotations out of most chains. Works for me and I've got it down by now.
Ron says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:47 am

@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 fizik microtex glossy on my LOOK is going strong after a few years. It looks new, those guys have to make less awesome tape.