The day I stopped ignoring my bike chain wear

Three years ago I was commuting 12 miles each way in Minneapolis. I kept hearing a grinding noise but figured it was just winter grime. Then my chain snapped halfway across the Lake Street bridge in January. Had to walk my bike 2 miles in the cold to a shop. The mechanic used a chain wear tool and showed me my chain was stretched by 1.5 percent. Now I check my chain every 400 miles with a cheap gauge I bought for 8 bucks. Anyone else learned a hard lesson about skipping chain maintenance?

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2 Comments

gray_nelson4mo ago

Is it really that big of a deal though? I mean I've been riding for years and never checked a chain once. Had the same chain on my old bike for like 5 years and it never snapped. People act like it's a death sentence if you skip one check. A worn chain just shifts a little worse. So what? You replace it a bit sooner. That's not worth stressing over every 400 miles. I'd rather spend my time riding than obsessing over a tool.

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wood.zara4mo ago

Saw a guy on a group ride last summer who snapped his chain going up a steep hill and flew right over his handlebars. That wear gauge is the best 8 bucks you'll ever spend, I check mine every time I clean my drivetrain now. A new chain is way cheaper than a new knee or a new frame.

1