Do I need to replace my chain with my cassette?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Do I need to replace my chain with my cassette?
Just swapped out my 11-34T cassette with an 11-28T because the jumps were pretty big on an 8-speed. I've read that I should be changing my chain, too, as it could quickly wear out my new cassette. My chain is around 2000 km old. Is this necessary?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 3,767
Bikes: lots
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1958 Post(s)
Liked 2,932 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Depends on how worn your chain is.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,971
Bikes: Habanero Titanium Team Nuevo
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 185 Times
in
121 Posts
I doubt it based the mileage it can happen if the chain is too far stretched for a length of time. Frankly put a new chain on the bike and if it does not skip you are good to go. If it skips you need a new cassette but I highly doubt it.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,191
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 114 Post(s)
Liked 119 Times
in
92 Posts
Although it might not be necessary, but since you have a new cassette, I would put on a new chain, too. Might as well start with a fresh set of cassette and chain.
As mentioned, as chains wear over time, they tend to "stretch" such that they no longer match the cogs of the cassette, and skipping occurs when pedaling with power. Your old chain may or may not be "stretched" to cause this condition. You can measure the length of your current chain (12 links should equal 12" exactly) or just pedal around and see if the chain skips. If it doesn't skip, then you should be fine.
However, I put on a new chain when replacing a cassette. More of a peace-of-mind thing for me.
As mentioned, as chains wear over time, they tend to "stretch" such that they no longer match the cogs of the cassette, and skipping occurs when pedaling with power. Your old chain may or may not be "stretched" to cause this condition. You can measure the length of your current chain (12 links should equal 12" exactly) or just pedal around and see if the chain skips. If it doesn't skip, then you should be fine.
However, I put on a new chain when replacing a cassette. More of a peace-of-mind thing for me.
#5
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,987
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,809 Times
in
3,317 Posts
Do I need to replace my chain with my cassette
Do I need to replace my chain with my cassette
I think you should replace your chain with a chain. <grin>
#6
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,376
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 998 Post(s)
Liked 1,206 Times
in
692 Posts
I believe the conventional wisdom is that if you have a worn cassette, it will have worn your chain as well. If you're changing a perfectly good cassette just to get different gearing, that's not the same reason. Racers swap wheels with different cassettes back and forth regularly. Some people have a different wheel with its own cassette for the stationary trainer. Others will change cassettes for the different terrain they are about to ride in. Never heard any of them claim it wore the chain more quickly.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
Likes For urbanknight:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 4,396
Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 514 Post(s)
Liked 448 Times
in
337 Posts
Generally, my friends and I get a cassette to last through two chains.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times
in
723 Posts
I believe the conventional wisdom is that if you have a worn cassette, it will have worn your chain as well. If you're changing a perfectly good cassette just to get different gearing, that's not the same reason. Racers swap wheels with different cassettes back and forth regularly. Some people have a different wheel with its own cassette for the stationary trainer. Others will change cassettes for the different terrain they are about to ride in. Never heard any of them claim it wore the chain more quickly.
#9
Over the hill
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,376
Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 998 Post(s)
Liked 1,206 Times
in
692 Posts
I've heard of that, but is there documentation of that doing anything good? Maybe it's because I grew up racing in a time when you had to push a little (easily lost) pin just right in order to change chains, but it seems like a hassle to do that unless there were some serious wear problems if you didn't.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
It's like riding a bicycle
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times
in
723 Posts
I've heard of that, but is there documentation of that doing anything good? Maybe it's because I grew up racing in a time when you had to push a little (easily lost) pin just right in order to change chains, but it seems like a hassle to do that unless there were some serious wear problems if you didn't.
Likes For dsbrantjr:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
Anyway, I agree that a new chain with the new cassette is a good idea. Start fresh as the cost isn't that much.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,971
Bikes: Habanero Titanium Team Nuevo
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 185 Times
in
121 Posts
You answered the opposite of the OP's question. He has a new cassette and wants to know if he should replace the old chain. You recommended replacing an old cassette if he fitted a new chain.
Anyway, I agree that a new chain with the new cassette is a good idea. Start fresh as the cost isn't that much.
Anyway, I agree that a new chain with the new cassette is a good idea. Start fresh as the cost isn't that much.
#13
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,636
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4733 Post(s)
Liked 1,532 Times
in
1,003 Posts
Chains are consumables, so feel free to also put a new chain on, but keep the not-old old chain perhaps for the next time you need a 'new' chain.
#14
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4338 Post(s)
Liked 2,980 Times
in
1,617 Posts
A new cassette will not damage a used chain.
Shifting might not be quite as good as putting on a new chain though... that's kind of always true.
Shifting might not be quite as good as putting on a new chain though... that's kind of always true.