jakerock

The chain on my bike is about a year old, and looks like it needs to be replaced...
Its kind of 'riding up' the splines a bit (when theres no pressure on the drivechain) like its stretching. I think its about a year old more or less...

I didnt think a chain would stretch out so fast...
How often do you guys have to throw a new chain on?
I just dont want to cause my chainring / cog to start wearing funny....

Thanks, J

PedallingATX

how much do you ride? Depends, really. Chain on my road bike needed replacing after 6 months of hard riding.

TejanoTrackie 

It depends on the quality of the chain. Cheap chains can wear out very quickly, especially if not kept clean and lubricated. High quality chains with hardened pins can last thousands of miles. I've gotten as little as 500 miles and as much 5000 miles out of a chain.

Kenneth

Do you remember what chains these were?

jakerock

Ok... so im not crazy! Heh.... well, not regarding this anyway...
I ride pretty much everyday, and I presume that the chain was a cheap one.

Last time I put on a chain was a long time ago, and it had a masterlink, which I assume is not something we are supposed to use on a fixed drivetrain...
I guess its pretty straightforward but is there anything I should watch out for while installing the new one?
Thanks fellers!

Syscrush

It depends on the quality of the chain, the cog & chainring, how much you ride, your gear ratio, the weather you ride in, your propensity to cleaning & lubing the chain and keeping it in adjustment, how often you go to church, and the color of your socks.

FYI - chains don't stretch, they wear, which allows the pins to move farther apart. This won't cause the chain to run higher/farther out on the teeth of the sprockets, so I'm not sure what you're seeing.

Take it to a trusted shop, a friend, or post pics on here. If it's worn, replace it - doesn't matter how old or new or how many miles are on it.

hairnet

they're fine

frymaster

get a chain gauge, like this one:

https://www.parktool.com/products/det...at=5&item=CC-3

or join your local bike co-op and use theirs. replace your chain when the gauge tells you to and you'll have no problems.

i replace mine every spring as a matter of rote... but that's because the winters here slay parts.

TejanoTrackie 

The 500 mile chain was a $3 no-name 1/8 chain from KMart that I threw on a cheap conversion. The 5000 mile chain was a Dura Ace 10-speed chain.

PedallingATX

wait...we're not supposed to use masterlinks on FG drivetrains? I'm using one on mine...what are the potential problems w/ this?

Syscrush

Superstition. If the chain is installed correctly there's no reason to worry.

TejanoTrackie 

This is a home-made gauge that I use. When the tested chain gets more than 1/4 link longer (1/8") than the baseline chain, I consider it worn out and replace it.