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.

Next Roubaix: Anatomy Of A Shithole »

Previous « Velominati Super Prestige: Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2015

View Comments

DeKerr says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:48 am

@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………………….

Yup, missed it by 1/8th bean of a lord's left testicle (or some other particularly obscure representative base).
DeKerr says:

Apr 28 2015 at 9:52 am

@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.
RedRanger says:

Apr 28 2015 at 10:20 am

@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.
pistard says:

Apr 28 2015 at 11:08 am

An accurate steel ruler works fine to check chain wear too: any more than 1/16" 'stretch' at 12" and you should replace it.

Ironic that chain is still specced in inches. If only Shimano's 10 Pitch system had taken off...
MangoDave says:

Apr 28 2015 at 12:59 pm

@DeKerr

@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.

Yeah, but then @TBONE ruins the mystique by admitting that he avoids Rule #9 conditions. Not that I ride in the rain much, mainly because it never fucking rains in the desert. A quick look at the weather history shows it's only rained 1.75cm so far this year.

@frank - I agree with the DuMonde Tech comment, love this stuff. Thanks for bringing it to my attention with your Reverence article.
JohnB says:

Apr 28 2015 at 1:10 pm

@wilburrox

@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?

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.

That’s a lot of chain changing. How ’bout tires? I go thru tires a lot more frequently than I do chains. Tires I like to change. But dang, I don’t change a chain as often as you are. The again, must be the Di2 ! Flawless shifts every time… couldn’t resist. Cheers all

Tyres, now thats a whole other thread!
JohnB says:

Apr 28 2015 at 1:16 pm

@bea

@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?

If (big if!) I’m informed correctly, it’s lanolin.

Quite possible now I've read the wiki list of uses for this natural wonder substance. Keeping sheep dry to nipple lube and everything in between! Now where's the VMH put her hand cream?
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 1:21 pm

@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.

Good stuff that fizik. I must admit that I am changing bar tape at the half-life just for the sake of switching from black to white, or Cinelli to 3T to ZIPP, etc. And note that I changed the Campa hoods with the matching bar tape as well. I did ride fizik years ago but witnessed the micro-whatever surface degrading too quickly. I think ??
unversio says:

Apr 28 2015 at 1:29 pm

Correction: It was ZIPP CX tape that lost its thin surface faster than you would imagine.
frank says:

Apr 28 2015 at 2:46 pm

@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.