Bicycle maintenance: the wear of the chain

Today we are going to explain one of the most unknown details for the inexperienced cyclist: what is the wear and tear of the chain and what consequences it has. Read what follows, and you will save a lot of money on bicycle maintenance. Go for it:

How the chain wears?

What is it that transmits the force from the pedals and plates to the pinions of the rear wheel, thus propelling the bicycle? Yes, the chain, and it does so by acquiring tension. Every time you pedal you are pulling the chain (as in the WC more or less), which inevitably causes it to stretch gradually over time. As it is used, a bicycle chain lengthens.

And how much varies the length?

In fact, no: it is a minimum percentage, but since the components of the transmission are designed with great precision, a small variation in their shape makes the operation much worse.

What problem do stretched chains have?

Several things:

- When the chain is stretched, it weakens and there is a greater risk of breakage.

- The fit with plates and pinions is worse, so that the circulation of the chain is less soft and noisier.

- Since they work by fitting, a stretched chain in turn deforms the teeth of plates and pinions, whereby the initial deterioration of a component is transmitted to the rest that work together.

So, should I change my chain periodically?

Absolutely, YES.

How often should I change my chain? Weather? Kilometers?

The durability of a chain depends on its quality, the use of the gears and the type of pedaling of each cyclist, although 5,000 km can be a good reference. To know exactly, there are the wear meters of chains, which are a kind of rule that is able to indicate two circumstances: when the chain has stretched more than 0.75% of its original length; and when the chain has stretched more than 1%.

Normally, when a chain passes 0.75% elongation, it also starts to wear on the teeth of plates and pinions. When it exceeds 1%, the wear of the other components is already significant and irreversible.

Therefore, when replacing a chain that had already stretched more than 1%, pedaling "jumps" on the same pinion because it does not fit correctly, producing an unsatisfactory operation. Thus, the chain must change when it reaches 0.75%. If you pass 1%, it will not be enough to change the chain: you will have to replace pine nuts, and most likely the dishes. Which, of course, raises the cost greatly.

And where do I buy a wear meter for my chain?

Well, if you want we can sell you one, but we do not think you need to measure your chain so often. We recommend that you come to Clínica de la Bicicleta to have it measured at least once a year, so we tell you when you need to change it and you save replacing the entire transmission. You can save a lot!

You should also know that the durability of a chain varies greatly according to its quality, and that the wear of the pinions is greatly reduced using different speeds. Using the gear change is good for your legs and good for your bike.