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chain advice -


mattyt's picture

By mattyt - Posted on 10 March 2008

I've been mountain bike riding for a about 6 months & had my first break down, as in i couldn't ride anymore, on the track a couple of days ago.
I've snapped my chain, so thought i would replace it.
I didn't have a chain breaker or "quick link" parts with me to fix it, know next time.

My bike is a 9 speed trek with deore derailleurs, there is no damage anywhere else.
It was a SRAM chain.
All the gears are still in good shape, front chain wheel & cassette(SRAM PG950), & i lubed chain etc regularly.
I think i might have put a little to much tension on it whilst trying to change gear, but nothing extraordinary.
I thought i was getting my changing spot on then snap it went.
Thats the only thing i can put it down to unless something got caught in it.

I know you can measure it for stretch but is there a general rule/theory as to when you should replace a chain eg time/km's?

Can anyone advise me on a good quality chain please?

Thanks

Tags
Buck's picture

Too many variables to have a general rule I'd say. If you ride a lot in wet, muddy conditions then the chain is going to stretch much quicker.

As for me, my original chain was a Shimano HG53 and that lasted me around 900km before it reached 0.75% wear. Now I'm on a Shimano HG93 chain and that has lasted me over 1200km and it still is not 0.75% worn yet. Both have never broken on me. However I'm a fairly light rider and not overly aggressive.

Now we just wait for Bernd to rave on about Rohloff chains.....Sticking out tongue

Bernd's picture

..waiting for someone to be first!!
"rave , Rohloff chains , oh Yes"...
love the SLT 99
http://www.rohloff.de/en/products/s_l_t_99/index...
Bernd

Rob's picture

Buck is right, too many variables. Trails have been filthy lately. Changing under load is a big no-no so that could have been the straw.

FWIW I got 400Km out of a HG53 and double that from a HG93 (see http://nobmob.com/node/3924). Would imagine the later could have done better if not for the terrible trail conditions it's had to endure.

I'd imagine Buck is getting longer life due to his more svelt proportions. Eye-wink

petulance's picture

Don't forget that you can use Shimano's 9-speed road chains on your mountain bike drive train.

Oh, all right, this chain is also known as Shimano's XTR but really, Dura Ace CN-7701 sounds so much better. They are around $30 - 35 a pop from my favourite UK bike store, ProBikeKit, the last I checked.

The HG-93 chain is the same chain in the Ultegra roadie groupset. Ditto the HG-73 and the 105 roadie groupset.

dez_b's picture

is a great chain , i have never broken one and they last for ages with proper cleaning and lubrication and cheap , I am running them on all my bikes
they get my vote #1

Funkychicken's picture

My preference is for mid-ranged sram 9 speed mtb chains (PC971 or PC991), i find them resilient and also come with a removable link so you can take the chain on/off easily.

Try to also get a spare removable link and chain tool so you can do some quick trail repairs.

Wipperman make good chains too, but i find their removable links comparatively easy to bend.

Alysum's picture

when a chain snaps is that usually just a broken pin ? can 2 pins break at the same time too ?

no no I'm not pessimistic Smiling

mattyt's picture

Thanks every one who posted a comment. Very informative & i enjoyed researching.
I ended up getting a Shimano HG 73 chain, $40, but then had to adjust rear derailleur after i'd fitted chain.
It wasn't shifting properly & was popping out of gear, after a few turns, a lot of trial & error, i think i've got it.

I couldn't justify spending $99 on the rohloff chain, a quote i was given.

I've got myself a chain breaker etc for the track.

The old chain had stretched significantly when i compared it to new one, i will get a chain "stretch measuring" tool eventually.
So its probably for the better it snapping rather than wearing out chainwheel & cassette.

Thanks.

Bernd's picture

..why I buy a Rohloff chain every time I go to Germany!
E 29-35 they are of the shelf! about AUD $ 50.(at the current rate)
Have none left, otherwise I would have offer'd one to you.
Bernd

Matt's picture

If your chain had stretched that much it may be that your shifting problems are due to the cassette and chainring being too worn for the new chain, if the problem doesn't get resolved by fiddling with adjusters, as in here:

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

See the section just after half way down on chain and sprocket wear.

Ta,
Matt.

mattyt's picture

turned out to be cassette got a new one, along with chain, running smooth now
chainring was ok
thanks again for everyone's input

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