Thread: Chains
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Old 08-17-18, 11:35 PM
  #126  
taras0000
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Originally Posted by rustymongrel
Just FYI chains don't stretch over time. Chains are subject to stretch when load is applied but it's not something that changes over time. What people commonly refer to as "chain stretch" is caused by wear on the rollers both outside where they contact the cog/chainrings and on the inside where they contact the bushing (or in the case of a bushingless chain, the inner plates).

At this point I feel 1/8" chains, like thread on cogs, are simply a tradition thing. Given improvements in steel quality and manufacturing a 3/32" or even narrower chain can likely be stronger than a 1/8" chain could be 30+ years ago. Mountain bikes use 11 and 12 speed drive trains these days and see all kinds of extreme torque.

A modern 1/8th chain is still going to be stronger than a modern 3/32nds chain. And thread on cogs are used because overall it allows for a system of attaching cogs that doesn't have as many drawbacks as other systems. You can get a 12 tooth thread on cog, but you can't get 12 teeth with a spline carrier or bolt on cog.

And yes, chains do stretch more with time. The more wear on the chain, the more it stretches. Buy yourself a new chain and a good chain checker, and measure the wear at regular intervals. You can watch a chain "grow" if you do this. And a large load is not needed to check for stretch. One only needs to load the chain with enough tension to get all the worn surfaces to seat against each other. This can be achieved with just the weight of the chain as it hangs. The amount of chain stretch directly correlates with the amount of wear on the rollers and pins. Use the ProGold/ProLink gauge. Unlike most gauges which have two scales calibrated for .75% and 1.0% chain wear, this one is graded from from 0.5% to 1.0% on the same scale. You can watch the gauge dip deeper into the chain as it gets more worn, unlike the other kinds which act more like a "go/no-go" gauge.



Last edited by taras0000; 08-17-18 at 11:40 PM.
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