Following up on my previous question… viewtopic.php?f=5&t=121226 I now have a new chain, as yet unfitted as I have only just got around to removing the drive sprocket bash guard, and would like to know if anyone thinks this is worn and needs replacing, to be honest it looks fine to me but I am not an expert. Remember it has covered nearly 1400 miles to date.
Looks fine to me. 1400 miles is nowt, sprockets should last much longer. 1500 miles is what I'd expect from a chain minimum. And sprockets tend to last 2 or more chains. (3 so far on my bikes without issue). Just make sure you renew the chain before it wears out too much. You can get a chain checker which indicates when a chain should be replaced.
The stuff I see at the shop about electric bikes does suggest that 1,500 miles is about the life of the chain - it may be worth looking at some of the chains that are designed (or at least marketed) as specific for ebikes with central motors and very small motor sprockets [IIRC KMC is one brand with ebike chains]
robgul wrote:The stuff I see at the shop about electric bikes does suggest that 1,500 miles is about the life of the chain - it may be worth looking at some of the chains that are designed (or at least marketed) as specific for ebikes with central motors and very small motor sprockets [IIRC KMC is one brand with ebike chains]
Rob
Thanks Rob, I wasn't aware of that, will check them out.
in some cases e-bike chains are genuinely different but the difference is often just that the e-bike version of a chain is longer than normal (which many e-bikes require, esp if the battery is between the seat tube and the rear wheel, which makes the chainstays a few inches longer than usual).
In markets where e-bikes can go 40kph there is the spectre of 'type approval' for parts, too, hence special e-bike tyres and perhaps other parts also. I don't know the exact state of affairs but if it gets as bad as with cars (in places like Germany) you may only fit 'type approved' wheels and tyres to any given vehicle else it may not be considered road legal, and many aftermarket parts (even windscreen wipers) must also be subject to various approvals.
You can see it's been used but personally I wouldn't hesitate to put a new chain on there - worst case it runs rough and you know it's time for a new sprocket, but I seriously doubt that it will.
As above - you can pick up a chain-gauge for literally a couple of quid and I find them a massive help!
I'm a trendy consumer. Just look at my wobbly using hovercraft full of eels.
I have a Park chain wear checker and my chain has been reading at just under 75% worn for a couple of hundred miles now. I have a chain on order and will fit it soonish I think, I also have a new drive sprocket (ebike) and as they only cost £6 I thought it made sense to replace it at the same time.
cycleruk wrote:The sprocket looks slightly worn but would or could it be turned round for extra life and is it worth it at £6.?
Haha, I was wondering that myself, but they are not exactly the same both sides, the face nearer the motor has a very slight ridge and as you say for £6 it’s not really worth trying.
actually an incident yesterday has reminded me that if a small drive sprocket like that is worn, and is fitted with a new chain on a derailleur system, one likely outcome is chainsuck.
Being as this sprocket is really whizzing round, with a motor to help it, if you do get chainsuck, the consequences are likely to be pretty devastating.
Therefore I'd always change it when fitting a new chain.
