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got a new 105 5800 groupset about 2 1/2 years ago, replaced the chain in february this year, I'd done about 2000 miles on it and checked it with a ruler now and then and replaced it when it got 1/16" too long
I replaced it with one of these newer ultegra chains with added e-bike compatibility, I was assured it would still be fine for 105
the bike hasn't been the same since, when I change gear it never settles properly and I can feel it slip a bit the next time I put down a lot of power, sometimes when climbing it has even come right off the little ring at the front - the old chain never dropped at all
does this sound to you like the rings are too worn for a fresh chain? I really take care of this bike and I'd be surprised if they had, but I just can't seem to diagnose this, it's horrible to ride now and I can't trust it going up hill
Unlikely to be chainrings, but yes, sounds like your cassette is too worn for the new chain.
And E-bike compatibility in chains...?
something about it being strengthened so it can take the extra power, I don't get it either, I think all those pros training with ultegra put out more power than an e-bike motor and the old chains handled it just fineAnd E-bike compatibility in chains...?
Yup worn out cassette.
guess I'll have to try a new cassette, must say I'm suprised it has worn out after 2000 miles and only one chain, I thought the whole point of replacing the chain at the right time was to save the rest of the drivetrain
Just put the old chain back on
wish I'd kept it!
Chances are you use certain cassette sprocketsmore, so they have a disproportionate share of the wear.
I tend to change the chain and cassette at the same time.
Quite possible to wear a cassette out in that distance, especially if you're using the bike all year. As Neejee says the wear won't be even. Others prefer different, but I normally just run the whole drive chain until it gets rough then change everything. IME the drive chain works fine past 1% wear.
On road bikes I change chain and cassette at same time..rings last ages.
must say I'm suprised it has worn out after 2000 miles and only one chain
I'm not. That's a lot of miles on one chain.
The best I've ever got is about 1500 miles out of a chain, and nearly 3500 out of the same cassette by the time it was shot. And I was cleaning it regularly in the parts washer at work, I kept it VERY clean indeed. What I used to MTB a lot more I'd reckon on 800-1000 miles out of a chain and cassette.
Shimano chains are directional, check you have it round the correct way.
If the chain is fine the other prime candidate is the cassette
I had very similar symptoms when I replaced a relatively new chain with nothing like 2000 miles on it.
Possibly as others say because my favourite sprockets were more worn or something.
Either way, has put me off pre-emptive chain replacement, seems like you'd spend a fortune in chains in the long run, seems cheaper and less wasteful just to run chain and cassette into the ground.
Just imagine what we could do here if we collected all that data in a uniform manner, the number of miles we must ride collectively.
There must be a ratio of cassette price to chain price where it makes sense to change chains early and one where it doesn't.
I'm running 4 chains in rotation. They are £35 each. However, the justification is that it's a Hope cassette.
If it was a Sunrace cassette, I would be worried about wear, I'd more than likely run chain and cassette to destruction.
I thought the whole point of replacing the chain at the right time was to save the rest of the drivetrain
It is, just a lot sooner. Even 1500 miles on the road is too much.
Snapped a chain here on my Canondale 29er. New chain was skipping beyond rideable, so new cassette was next .
Still not riding right ,closer inspection revealed rear mech cage was also bent and as slack as h--s draws.
So new mech and all is good .
Except the wallet !
I'd done about 2000 miles on it
I get nothing remotely close to this on the commuter, however I never clean the chain either
thanks for all the suggestions, I changed the cassette today, I think it's better but I'll need a full ride to make sure, however it's very noisy now, and sort of pingy sounding when changing gear, hopefully it'll settle
anyway to the guy that said it above, I think from now on I'll also be running the chain until the whole drivetrain needs replacing, this has been a bit of hassle for what seems like no improvement
Well my gob was so smacked I had to go out and double check my winter/commuter. Bike was new last autumn, rode it all through the winter including Festive 500. 2811 miles on it and it's original 105 chain, just about got 1/32 wear. What are people doing to kill chains and cassettes in less than 2000 miles? Genuinely curious not trolling - I do 500+ miles a month which is nothing special but never come close to changing chain/cassette at those intervals.
small update
chain dropped again today and on inspection it turns out a chainring bolt was missing!
I guess it had been loose for a while, and there was enough flex under power to cause the chain to miss a tooth and once that happens it derails
hopefully I can just get a replacement bolt and no permanent damage has been done
Won't be any permanent damage to the crank, ring or mech. Stick a bolt in and check the others are evenly tight, then check the chain and cassette for shifting and skipping again before making any judgements .