Chain Wear - what should I do?

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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Ivor » Thu May 29, 2008 9:32 am

[quote="Will"]Don't any of you use SRAM chains? Or are they not popular in roadie circles?

Sure. On my commuter with an SRAM 8 cassette I have an SRAM chain... although I couldn't find a powerlink for it. :? I have quicklinks on my shimano chains though and they're indispensable.
(I tend to buy chains that match the cassette simply to make identifying between the 8 or 10 speed components easier).
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Jon C C on a Bianchi » Thu May 29, 2008 2:09 pm

I've fitted the new chain - what a difference!!! :D Like riding a new bike! :) Problem though - it's slipping so I guess i now need a new cassette. :( Can you believe I had the bike serviced at GBs only 3 months ago and nothing was said about the chain being worn! :x

Anyway, you live and learn. The bike has Shimano Tiagra sprockets 12-25. Do I go for a like for like or does anyone recommend an upgrade?

Thanks for all your help so far

Jon 8)
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Andrew G » Thu May 29, 2008 2:25 pm

If you're happy with the gears then keep the same ratios. Check out the shop Tamar recommended as you can probably get a better quality cassette for the same money as what you've got from GBs etc. I got a new one from them the other day, and as Tamar said good price and next day delivery.

[url]http://www.sprockets.uk.com/[/url]
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Grahame » Thu May 29, 2008 2:26 pm

Slipping is a classic sign that the cassette has worn.

You'll be a better rider than most if you can tell the feel of an upgrade to the cassette.

An Ultegra or Dura Ace will be lighter, but you won't be able to tell when riding. I'd go for a like-for-like replacement, or maybe a 105.
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Ivor » Thu May 29, 2008 2:28 pm

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"]Can you believe I had the bike serviced at GBs only 3 months ago and nothing was said about the chain being worn!

perhaps it was ok three months ago?

[quote="Jon C C on a Bianchi"]The bike has Shimano Tiagra sprockets 12-25. Do I go for a like for like or does anyone recommend an upgrade?

spose it depends on how you feel your current range of gears suits you - 9 speed limits the choice of cassettes a bit - but would a 12-27 be better? or an 11-23? price wise you're looking at £27 for an SRAM, £31 for an Ultegra or £18 for an HG50 which you probably have now.
I'd pick based on the gear combinations you want rather than the make.
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Elliot M » Thu May 29, 2008 3:08 pm

cheaper at Parker International: £27 for an Ultegra 9s

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/

or £25 at UK Bike Store

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/pr ... p=0&gclid=

This site is very useful for finding cheapest online:]

http://bikepimp.co.uk
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Grahame » Thu May 29, 2008 3:17 pm

Or [url=http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=573]Chain Reaction Cycles[/url] who deliver free, and usually the next day.
If I remember correctly, £24.99 for an Ultegra 9 speed, £21.99 for a 105 9 speed. £14.99 for a Tiagra 9 speed and £11.99 for a Tiagra 8 speed.
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Andrew G » Thu May 29, 2008 3:41 pm

[quote="Grahame"]You'll be a better rider than most if you can tell the feel of an upgrade to the cassette.

Feel, perhaps Grahame but the higher range ones are made out of better quality materials so last longer. Dependng how far down the range you go you can start to feel it a bit then.
On my Campag Record and Chorus ones they are part titanium, metal spacers and largest 4 sprockets fixed in pairs - last ages and very smooth. Veloce on the commuter and cheaper materials, plastic spacers, none fixed in pairs. Works fine but doesn't last anywhere near as long.
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Jon C C on a Bianchi » Thu May 29, 2008 6:08 pm

Thanks again for all your help.

I wanted to get the job done today so forced into an upgrade as I couldn't find a Tiagra cassette anywhere locally. Paid well over the odds compared to the websites you found for an Ultegra at GBs - £35.00, £31.50 with discount. Still I've done both bikes - Sam's and mine - new chains (KMCs) and cassettes and they look and feel great. A surprisingly easy job once i got stuck in. A sharp and very expensive learning curve but satisfying nonetheless.

Really appreciate your support and interest.

Cheers

Jon :D
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Fri May 30, 2008 1:19 pm

I change mine at .6% and even less on my race bike. Chains are much cheaper than cassettes. My Ksyriums have a 5 year old cassette that still mates with a new chain without slipping.

Didn't any of you come to my bike maintenance evening????

perhaps a repeat is required :?:
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Jon C C on a Bianchi » Fri May 30, 2008 1:26 pm

Bike maintenance evening??? I'd definitely come along. Yes, as I found to my cost chains are a lot cheaper than cassettes and i'll change the chain regularly from now on. My chain gauge only gives .75 and 1.00%. How do you measure .6%?
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Fri May 30, 2008 1:37 pm

with a more accurate chain gauge :!:
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Jon C C on a Bianchi » Fri May 30, 2008 4:45 pm

ask a silly question... :roll:
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby Snoop Doug » Sun Jun 01, 2008 3:36 pm

[quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]Didn't any of you come to my bike maintenance evening????

perhaps a repeat is required :?:


I'll have some more of that :D . I'm happy to be the Guru's plant in the audience wot asks all the stupid questions. Apart from anything else - you'se lot can all marvel @ how much I've forgotten since last year :roll:
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Re: Chain Wear - what should I do?

Postby mrP(Boonen)VT » Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:18 am

[quote="Snoop Doug"][quote="mrP(Boonen)VT"]Didn't any of you come to my bike maintenance evening????

perhaps a repeat is required :?:


I'll have some more of that :D . I'm happy to be the Guru's plant in the audience wot asks all the stupid questions. Apart from anything else - you'se lot can all marvel @ how much I've forgotten since last year :roll:


No change there - 9 speed mech with 10 speed set up :lol: :lol: :lol:

Next Wednesday (11th) I'll be chatting about tubs - use, sticking on, repairing etc and then we can arrange another maintenance masterclass.

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