Cyclists: How many miles is a bicycle chain supposed to last? <update>

[Thegonagle]

<UPDATE>

I went into bike store today (Freewheel Bike in Minneapolis by the west bank, they're awesome!) with my back wheel and the new XT cassette. The mechanic changed out my cassette free of charge. When I told him I needed a new chain, his hand went straight for the SRAM chains. I chose the PC-68, the nicest SRAM chain in the store for my application, since he didn't charge to change the cassette, and I didn't need to buy any tools. The chain was $28. The next highest SRAM chain was $22. I hope it's worth it, but it seems like it's a much higher quality part than the one that fell off.

While I was there, I bought a small chain tool and a 4 oz. sample of Finish Line EcoTech cleaner/degreaser. I went ahead and diluted the stuff 2:1 with water and it still worked great. I'll be buying more of that stuff. The chain and deraileurs are now clean and lubed with a double coat of White Lightning wax lubricant.

I can't wait to go for a test ride tonight, but for now I'm meeting up with my sister.

Thanks again!

</UPDATE>





I had about 550-650 miles (not sure, bike was used when I bought it) on my chain when it broke tonight. :| I'll never go out without a chain tool again. Kicking the bike 7 1/2 miles back home wasn't fun, but I had planned to go at least twice as far, so it could have been worse.

So how long should a good one last?

And what are the good ones and what do they cost?

Thanks!

 

[mithrandir2001]

MTB or road? Chain life depends on a lot of factors. I can definitely see scenarios where 550-650 miles is over and above the expected lifespan of a chain.

You should probably stick with a Shimano IG chain (for MTB), which should set you back about $20. You are "supposed" to replace your cogset as well when you replace your chain, but I think that's too expensive.

 

[Evadman]

I used to carry a spare chain in the seat tube for just such an emergancy. I had one break on me and I had to do the same thing you did. total pain. Buy an extra and toss it in your bike somewhere.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

Take it to your bike shop, if not then order one from Coloradocyclist.

 

[Thegonagle]

It's a hybrid, a Trek 7300. I was riding up a grass hill, shifting to the granny gear when it snapped. Most of the miles are road/path miles though.

Luckily, I just received a Shimano XT 11-28 8 speed cassette from Supergo. I ordered it because the stock set is a SRAM 11-32, and I never use the 32. I'm going to my favorite bike shop tomorrow so they can sell me the tool I need and to change the cassette and hopefully tell me how it's done. I guess a chain tool and a new chain is on the list too.

 

[Joony]

I have some magna or something mountain bike I got from target and it has lasted me quite a while, about 3 years. Works great, I love that bike, haven't experienced some expensive 1k bike yet.

 

[broon]

The chains I used on my mountain (shimano) and road bikes (shimano dura-ace) lasted for well over 2000 miles each.

 

[SuperTool]

It should last more than 2000 miles with proper maintainance. Do you lube and clean it? Because if you have dirt on it, that is like sandpaper on the chain when you ride.
This is in terms of wearing out. But in terms of breaking from other causes like getting stuck or what not, that should be repairable if you have a few spare links and a chain tool on you.

 

[yakko]

It dpeneds on how hard you ride and how well you keep it clean and lubed. I have got thousands of miles out of a MTB chain. Of course I don't use Shimano on my mountain bikes either so that probably helps a lot. I only use Sedis chains on my MTBs. On my road I am trying my first Shimano chain so I will see if they are worth keeping around.

 

[C'DaleRider]

A chain, with the proper maintenance, should last 2-3K miles. The mistake you made was shifting to your granny gear while trying to climb.........under load. Learn to anticipate and drop to the granny on the front before you HAVE to.

Forget the IG Shimano chain......it's only for IG specific cranksets and use that particular type of chain if the Crank specifically requires it. (The outer chainring will have a sticker stating IG chain only on it, but since you have a Trek 7300, IG chain is NOT required for its crankset.) IG's are not very high in quality.

Shimano HG-90 series chains are quite nice as are SRAM chains. The nice part of SRAM chains is the quick link that comes with them. Makes it very easy to remove the chain without a chain tool.

To remove the cassette, you'll need a Hyperglide cassette tool, a chain whip, and an adjustable wrench. Get the shop to demonstrate their use, or purchase a guide to bicycle maintenence such as Zinn's or something similar. The shop should have a few to choose from.

 

[Jfur]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
It should last more than 2000 miles with proper maintainance. Do you lube and clean it? Because if you have dirt on it, that is like sandpaper on the chain when you ride.
This is in terms of wearing out. But in terms of breaking from other causes like getting stuck or what not, that should be repairable if you have a few spare links and a chain tool on you.

Yes, with proper care it should last a really long time.

 

[Fausto]

A chain should last several thousand miles if you take care of it. Sometimes they just pop for no good reason, especially shifting under load like you were. I always carry a chain tool with me for just that reason....it only takes 5 min or so to put the chain back together.

Oh, and don't bother buying Shimano chains since you then also have to carry around the special pins to go with it. I have SRAM chains on all my bikes and have had very good luck with them.....plus they use normal pins so repairing them is a snap.

 

[HiveMaster]

Improper mtc + cheap chain + shifting under load = broken chain.

I spend about 30 bucks per chain, and buy a new one once a year (~2000 miles).

Never had a chain break on my (Fuji Roubaix, Shimano Gruppo) road bike, and I weigh around 250 lbs.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

i have 5000k miles on my chain...includes some offroad and lots of shifting.


you had a bad chain

 

[Thegonagle]

Thanks everyone.

I had a haunch it should have lasted longer.

I never cleaned it with degreaser, but I have wiped the crud off and re-lubed it several times.

Oh well, I guess the stock chain was just a POS. And I'll try to shift before the hill next time.

 

[Fausto]

You should be able to shift on hills to your heart's content, just get a decent chain this go-round and grab a chain tool while you're at it. Atlanta has lots of short hills and I sure as hell have no qualms about shifting while I'm on one of them. I do try not to do it while I'm out of the saddle tho.....if for no other reason than you'll go over the bars if you miss a shift while standing up. :Q

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Oh, and don't bother buying Shimano chains since you then also have to carry around the special pins to go with it. I have SRAM chains on all my bikes and have had very good luck with them.....plus they use normal pins so repairing them is a snap.

I always used to buy Sedis/SRAM chains, but their shifting is horrendous compared to Shimano (the chamfered pin ends are not cleanly engaged by the IG/HG shifting ramps), and it is easy to safely install a Shimano chain without using the special pin (at least if, like me, you still use 8-speed). Nowadays I use Dura-Ace chains with my XT/XTR drivetrain on my MTB, and my Record/Chorus drivetrain on my road bike. YMMV, and SRAM chains are definitely high quality as well. I will probably try one of the Wipperman all-stainless chains when I go to 10-speed Chorus.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Hoo boy, it really depends on several factors: the quality of the bike/chain (Huffy vs. something nice), how you ride it, if you pedal uphill often, know how to properly change gears, and if you ride off-road or on. I have a 1996 Cannondale mountain bike with 350 miles on it, and the chain snapped on me back in March.

 

[Thegonagle]

BUMP FOR UPDATED FIRST POST.

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: Jfur

Originally posted by: SuperTool
It should last more than 2000 miles with proper maintainance. Do you lube and clean it? Because if you have dirt on it, that is like sandpaper on the chain when you ride.
This is in terms of wearing out. But in terms of breaking from other causes like getting stuck or what not, that should be repairable if you have a few spare links and a chain tool on you.

Yes, with proper care it should last a really long time.

2000 isn't a lot. I can do that in 2-3 months cause I don't have a car. I probably put 10 - 20k miles on a chain before replacing it (several consecutive summers)

 

[Bullhonkie]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
i have 5000k miles on my chain...includes some offroad and lots of shifting.


you had a bad chain

Wow 5000000 miles? You must let us know where you're getting these indestructible chains from.

Ok enough smart a$$ out of me for a day. Though as I once heard, it's always better to be a smart a$$ than a dumb one.