I've seen it recommended to use 2 (or more?) chains in rotation so the sprockets are not exposed to a badly worn chain so much. I can't work out if this actually makes sense compared with just replacing your chain regularly and also the potential damage of reusing quick links very many times. Any comments or perspectives?
I buy everything (chain, cassette, chain-ring) and let it wear out together. I've found SRAM 12sp to last so long that in reality that's 3 years of weekly use. The only thing then that needs checking and occasionally replacing is jockey wheels. My last chain (XO1) had just shy of 6000 miles on it and wasn't worn to the .75 mark. I've always re-used quick links on the same chain infinity but I'd not be keen to reuse a quick link on a new chain.
Isn't the idea of two chains in parallel ( so to speak) that they both gradually stretch in line with the sprockets and thus can both be used to the full life of the cassette. Whereas in series by the time you've used the first one the second doesn't fit any more...
( admittedly if you swap the chain really frequently then it's not an issue, but you are then buying stacks of chains)
Never did until I got my ebike, but I thought I'd give it a go. Changed at 500 miles, then original chain back on at 1000. Currently at 1300 miles and intending to switch again at 1500 and hoping to get 2000 miles out of cassette and chainring. Looking good so far.
Only started doing it in the last 18 months after munching the drive chain during that first lockdown. I tend to swap the chain round after a big 'weekend' of riding - pop the dirty chain off for cleaning !
I did it when i was doing more miles (10000+km a year on road) swapping every 3 or 4 weeks.
Managed to get about a year and a half out of a cassette (9 speed ultegra IIRC) by rotating 2 or possibly 3 chains.
But the chains only cost me about 10 quid each and 40 for the cassette.
Might start again next year, depending on how health goes, it's a more practical proposition with waxed chains.
It certainly works, but the usefulness of it is a function of chain cost and cassette cost. Never really worth it in a 3x9 with a £35 cassette. Different story now when a half decent cassette is three figures.
Also, chainrings get replaced more often these days now they're doing 3 times the work.
It certainly works, but the usefulness of it is a function of chain cost and cassette cost. Never really worth it in a 3×9 with a £35 cassette. Different story now when a half decent cassette is three figures.
yeah, about to go to 12 spd on the nice bike.
rethinking my previous "let it all wear together" approach.
I rotate bikes so have never bothered. If you're racking big mountain bike miles on one bike it's surely worth considering, at least for the higher end drivetrains.
Chain swappers - are you re-using the quick links (despite eg shimano warnings)?
IIRC, the single use only quick link stipulation was due to the fact that one manufacturer had the patent for REUSABLE quick links, so other manufacturers couldn't market them that way.* Plus of course it's a good way to part you from an additional few quid of your cash.
I've reused them plenty in the past with no adverse affects.
*possibly urban myth.
For me the benefit of running two chains is that I can whip a mucky one off and replace it with the clean, freshly lubed chain. The dirty chain can now be cleaned and lubed ready for going back on. That, and getting more useable mileage out of a cassette.
I'm doing it with the current drivetrain on my most used bike.
The difficulty is remembering to swap chains at the right time!
I’ve reused them plenty in the past with no adverse affects.
Yeah, i've got a bag of quick links (actually got 4 bags , 9, 10, 11 and 12 speed) no idea which ones are single or multi use. Simply bin them when the pins show signs of wear or they stop snapping into place properly
I’ve never bothered and my drivetrain seems to need replacing the same amount as any friends that do rotate chains regularly.
Seems like a bit of a faff to me. And I’ve always had much better things to do.
When the cassette wears out to the point it doesn’t work well enough I replace both it and the chain together.
It might be different with Ebikes as people tend to be quite hard on their drivetrains.
