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 6:57 pm

@Bespoke

Let me back that one up one step. I use the packaged screw with your mind breakaway pin the first time it's installed but a master link thereafter if I have to take the chain off for some reason.
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:08 pm

@Bespoke

@Owen

@Bespoke

@Owen

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.

Interesting. So, the shifting issue went away when you switched back to the Ultegra chain? I also switched to a SRAM chain (easier to remove and replace for cleaning) but it hasn’t functioned as well as the Ultegra.

Yeah changing the frame out helped a ton but it didn’t quite index right until I changed to the ultegra chain. Something about the shape of each link does it. In retrospect for what I paid for the bike plus wheels I shouldn’t have balked at a 30 dollar chain but here we are.

Bitch to remove the pin every time you want to clean the chain though. Or do you clean the chain on the bike?

I learned awhile back "why would you ever take the chain off to clean it?" Finish Line sells and brush/degreaser that cleans the chain in 5 min. Then I run it thru again with just warm soapy water (another 3 min). Then dry by running chain thru a rag.
Bespoke says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:12 pm

@unversio

@Bespoke

@Owen

@Bespoke

@Owen

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.

Interesting. So, the shifting issue went away when you switched back to the Ultegra chain? I also switched to a SRAM chain (easier to remove and replace for cleaning) but it hasn’t functioned as well as the Ultegra.

Yeah changing the frame out helped a ton but it didn’t quite index right until I changed to the ultegra chain. Something about the shape of each link does it. In retrospect for what I paid for the bike plus wheels I shouldn’t have balked at a 30 dollar chain but here we are.

Bitch to remove the pin every time you want to clean the chain though. Or do you clean the chain on the bike?

I learned awhile back “why would you ever take the chain off to clean it?” Finish Line sells and brush/degreaser that cleans the chain in 5 min. Then I run it thru again with just warm soapy water (another 3 min). Then dry by running chain thru a rag.

It's just so much nicer to soak the chain and cassette - everything gets clean. Plus, it's less finicky without having to work around the frame.

Anyway, good advice on the master link (I didn't know that was possible).
Ccos says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:13 pm

@frank

@Teocalli

@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………………….

Um…yeah. Woopsiedaysies.

Then there's this little gem, which is going to mess up posting super bad, that's for sure. Couldn't find the metric calendar one...

https://screen.yahoo.com/dan-aykroyd-metric-alphabet-050000965.html
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:13 pm

@Owen

@Bespoke

I use a master link. Maybe not a purist in that regard but if it’s good enough for Frahnk it’s good enough for me. If need be I’ll take it off but mostly it’s a CIP situation.

Frank should follow Chris, who went to the trouble to find the proper Campy UT-CN 200 tool for sell from me. I had two of these chain tools at one point and sold one to Chris at a bargain. Removing and inserting the new connector pin is one of those small joys. Why would you (or Frank) pass that up ??
Owen says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:15 pm

@Bespoke

Jenson sells a Shimano compatible master link. 6 for 20 bucks or something like that. Bought a set a couple years ago at the LBS.
Owen says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:16 pm

@unversio

@Owen

@Bespoke

I use a master link. Maybe not a purist in that regard but if it’s good enough for Frahnk it’s good enough for me. If need be I’ll take it off but mostly it’s a CIP situation.

Frank should follow Chris, who went to the trouble to find the proper Campy UT-CN 200 tool for sell from me. I had two of these chain tools at one point and sold one to Chris at a bargain. Removing and inserting the new connector pin is one of those small joys. Why would you (or Frank) pass that up ??

I've dropped one under the shelves in the garage before and the VMH doesn't like me scaring the neighborhood kids.
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:19 pm

@Bespoke

@unversio

@Bespoke

@Owen

@Bespoke

@Owen

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.

Interesting. So, the shifting issue went away when you switched back to the Ultegra chain? I also switched to a SRAM chain (easier to remove and replace for cleaning) but it hasn’t functioned as well as the Ultegra.

Yeah changing the frame out helped a ton but it didn’t quite index right until I changed to the ultegra chain. Something about the shape of each link does it. In retrospect for what I paid for the bike plus wheels I shouldn’t have balked at a 30 dollar chain but here we are.

Bitch to remove the pin every time you want to clean the chain though. Or do you clean the chain on the bike?

I learned awhile back “why would you ever take the chain off to clean it?” Finish Line sells and brush/degreaser that cleans the chain in 5 min. Then I run it thru again with just warm soapy water (another 3 min). Then dry by running chain thru a rag.

It’s just so much nicer to soak the chain and cassette – everything gets clean. Plus, it’s less finicky without having to work around the frame.

Anyway, good advice on the master link (I didn’t know that was possible).

Agreed. Remove the cassette and polish each "sprocket". The chain runs on a PRO axle with a 14t while you clean it. Running the chain thru the Finish Line also somewhat cleans the chain rings while you are at it.
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:24 pm

New Campa 10s chainset comes with a darn pin, so... I will upgrade my drivetrain soon enough.
Barracuda says:

Apr 28 2015 at 7:49 pm

Clearly why Im so shit atm. KMC chain from ultergra changeout coming up. Then Ill be awesome