Chainring replacement frequency
#1
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Chainring replacement frequency
Im curious, how frequently do you change out your chainring? Obviously the answer is when it's worn out. Do you get a certain amount of mileage or the number of times you replace your chain. Ex after two chain replacements is your chainring at its changeout time?
#2
Non omnino gravis
I got just shy of 18,000 miles out of a Praxis Works big ring (which was a 48T, I dunno if that makes any difference.) At that point, it had a handful of chipped/bent teeth, so shifting was either fine, or not fine. Probably could have extended it's life with some filing-- the teeth weren't getting that "shark-tooth" shape and it wasn't aggressively wearing out chains, but I just took it as an opportunity to replace it.
I only have about 8,500 miles on my RaceFace narrow-wide, and 3,000 on the Praxis Works compact on the other bike-- so replacement for those is quite a long way off.
I only have about 8,500 miles on my RaceFace narrow-wide, and 3,000 on the Praxis Works compact on the other bike-- so replacement for those is quite a long way off.
#4
Member
1250 miles out of a Praxis Alba set up. Several broken teeth and shark toothed the big ring. Replaced with Shimano 105 and life is good.
#5
Senior Member
Since I re-trained to more of a spinner than masher, I can get a lot of wear out of each drivetrain. Of course steel rings help too. The ratio I'm getting is something like 3 cassettes/chains for each crankset. It'd probably be more if I replaced chains more often.
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If you keep your drivetrain reasonably clean, a decent chainring will last many many years. I would say several years and in terms of mileage, 30,000+ miles. Maybe even twice that.
FYI, I get about 3000 miles from a chain, 10,000 from a cassette, to give you context.
FYI, I get about 3000 miles from a chain, 10,000 from a cassette, to give you context.
Last edited by datlas; 11-09-18 at 06:47 AM.
#8
Senior Member
Unless the teeth are damaged, there no need to change one unless it's so worn that it causes chain suck. I've never kept a bike that long.
#9
I start inspecting chainrings for wear at about the 12,000 mile mark. I had one Ultegra chainring last over 20,000 miles. It never went "sharktooth" or lost any teeth. It just wore more deeply -- beyond the round ridge that, originally, was at the base of the teeth. The effective diameter of the ring was worn smaller.
#10
Senior Member
I have over 7,000 miles in higher mile bike with a Praxis big ring (46 cross bike) and it shows no signs of wear yet. Probably one of the cheapest per mile replacement item on the bike I'd imagine. I have changed the chain on that bike just once and the cassette is still going strong as well. The "general" rule of thumb I've heard is every 3 chains replace the cassette, every 2-3 cassettes replace the rings, assuming you clean & lube the chain regularly. Unless shifting is poor, obviously, then replace immediately.
#12
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Watch chain wear and change before it's too far gone. I destroyed a set of 6800 chain rings by not paying attention to how worn the chain was.
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#14
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Virtually never. Replaced a couple with broken teeth.
#15
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I usually get about 3 cassettes worth of mileage out of the middle ring on my triple. The other rings last much longer, being less used. And about 3 chains per cassette, so about 9 chains per ring. To reduce ring wear, ride more in your bigger ring. More teeth = less ring wear and less chain wear because of reduced chain tension. I wear the big ring more on our tandem because it has a bigger cassette and thus I tend to ride in the big ring and larger cogs which equals less front shifting. On my road single, the cassette is much smaller and I mostly ride in the middle ring, a 39T.
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#17
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California riders will get very different results from those in the PNW who ride year 'round. If the OP is looking for information, good to check location.
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#19
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Never, got bikes from early 80's. Always replaced chain before wear, and before I knew how to measure, new chains on an annual basis . Over the pass few years, I've upgraded chainrings and chain sets, to alter my gearing, but original rings are still good. KB
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#21
Serious Cyclist
I replaced my big ring at about 20k miles, more out of a feeling that it was "time" than any obvious need, since it seemed to be working fine and looked just a little worn. Still haven't replaced my inner ring, looks fine after 30k miles. Crank is SRAM Apex 50/34, fwiw.
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I replace a ring when it goes THUNK THUNK THUNK when I hit it out of the saddle. Or I get sick of filing off burrs which cause chain suck.
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#24
Senior Member
I run a 1x and change out the chainring every 8 months to a year--remember, it's one ring doing all the work. My gauge is when I start to drop chains. I've used Race Face and Wolf Tooth and the WT def outlasts the RF.
#25
C*pt*i* Obvious
Soft aluminum granny rings wear out fairly quickly, luckily nobody uses them anymore.
That is the only example I can think of, other than extreme drivetrain mismanagement or neglect.
Chainrings tend to last longer than any other wear item.
That is the only example I can think of, other than extreme drivetrain mismanagement or neglect.
Chainrings tend to last longer than any other wear item.