Originally Posted by
NoWhammies
I've been using a chain checker tool (similar to the one in the image below) to determine when I need to change my chain. Right now my tool is telling me the chain is at 50% life/wear.
Yet when I do a search online re: when to replace a change, I'm getting mileage/distance recommendations. Frequently in the 2,000 to 3,000mi range (
https://www.bicycling.com/repair/a20...ur-bike-chain/). This seems kind of young/early to me.
So I'm torn. What's best practices? Replace the chain by distance or when the chain checker tool says the chain is at 75% life?
The mileages are only a range. If you want to get more life out of the cassette which is the more expensive part of the drivetrain, replace the chain more often. Sure you could run a chain for 5,000 or 10,000 miles but you’ll have to replace the cassette with each chain because a new chain
will skip on an cassette that has had a chain on it for that long.
I can’t find a manual on the KMC chain checker but I think you are reading it wrong. If it is anything like the Park Tool, that’s not “75% of life” but 0.75% of elongation. In other words, the chain is 0.75% longer than it was new. It’s not much.