[Closed] Multiple Chains

It would last you longer as when it gets worn you would have three sets of worn chains to use! But its still going to be worn!

and if your chain needs some TLC you always have one ready and lubed to go on.

I think the advantage to multiple chains is you're more likely to keep a clean well lubed chain on your bike, and because of that your drivetrain may last longer. One chain on bike, one soaking in cleaner (keresone for me), one lubed (gear oil) and ready to go.

Large milk containers are great for both chain cleaning and lubing. Hang up the chain over the container to drip dry.

It's an interesting one. If it's the stretching of a chain that's the major cause of wear on the cassette and chainrings, then this could be a reasonable suggestion.

On the other hand, every time you swap chain you swap to one that doesn't quite match the cassette and chainrings, so will probably wear faster. I'm not convinced of the benefit.

I've operated a three chain rotation like tucker describes for 6 years now. I am certain that I spend the least money on replacement drive train parts this way. I think the main factor is not 'spreading the wear', as some seem to think, but it's the opportunity to thoroughly clean the chain that's off the bike, meaning that less grinding paste is in the chains less often.

I always remove the chain every time i wash the bike (piece of piss with a missing link) & give it a real good going over, surprised more people don't TBH.
A guy in our group runs a 2 chain rotation & swears it prolongs the drivetrain, he buys everything (cassette, chain rings & 2 chains) at once & swaps chains every ride so wear rate should be the same on both.

Yep.

Ok, I'm no closer to deciding if this would be a sensible thing to do now or not.

I guess it would be too late for me to start now anyway, given I got my current drive train in February.

I was running 2/3 chains in rotation for the last 2 years and I wasn't convinced it was making the cassette last any longer. So what I'm trying now is one chain and one casette and run them both into the ground. Also I was running the pc991 chain whereas now I've given KMC a go and have found it a lot better and harder wearing.

I've tried it with 3 chains. I'm not convinced that it makes much difference.

I now use one chain and run the drivetrain into the ground.

I do clean and lube things fairly well and fairly regularly though.

My approach is to do almost zero maintenance, bar continually lube the thing... it only costs £50/60/70 every year or 2 to replace(depending on what deals you find). so not really worth the flaff, as long as it shifts fine I'll not even give it a second glance.

I like the idea of rotating two, storing one in a bottle of chainsaw oil ready to swap over every couple or three rides...

Cheers,
Jamie

I've been running 3 chains for a couple of years and will stick with it
Change every 200 miles, easy with powerlinks, give then a good clean and light lube before storing.

All chains are now worn well past the 1% mark, so it's now too late to save the cassette anyway, but both bikes seem to going OK. In fact I had far more problems with chain suck when the chains were new.

And don't forget that if your chain gets too stretched you can simply take a link out...

Ok, think from the sounds of it it's probably best for me to just run it all into the ground. With 1*10 at least ti's only one front ring for me to change, which does make it cheaper.

Two or three chains in rotation and run the whole lot into the ground.

least ti's only one front ring for me to change, which does make it cheaper.

Run an unramped ring and it'll last ages and can then be reversed.