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I should have learned last year. I let my chain go too long again, and wrecked another freewheel.
See, I knew 4 weeks ago that it was really close; I got a scheduled email from google calendar that I set up for myself saying "chain should need changing now" plus I had just checked it. Three weeks ago, that the indicator tool said 'change it now'. But I tried to get cute; I'd read online how the tools aren't that accurate, and to be accurate you needed to actually measure the chain. I did that, using a steel ruler for accuracy, and it looked like it could go another couple of weeks.
Last night, I measured it and it was right where the authorities say "OK, change it now" so I did so.
Got on the bike this morning and the rear gears are skipping like hell. Luckily it only does it badly under acceleration (and lower gears, which makes sense) so it wasn't entirely maddening.
Anyway, lesson learned. I'm ordering (another) replacement freewheel (luckily they're < $20 shipped), putting the old chain back on until it arrives (the old chain is worn exactly like the freewheel so it works OK). And from now on, I'm changing the chain out as soon as the wear indicator hits the line.
Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just run the same chain for 10,000 miles, let it and the freewheel and the chainring all wear out together, then replace the whole mess. But 10,000 miles is only 5 chains, which is about $25 in chains, so replacing all that stuff would definitely run into way more than that. So economically speaking, it's best to change the chains.
Of course, if it weren't for the sand/gravel/clay mix I ride on every day, a single chain would actually last 10,000 miles in the first place. But as it is, it's not possible to keep my chain clean for even a few miles.
If I ever buy another dedicated commuting bike, it'll have internal gears and an enclosed drivetrain.
See, I knew 4 weeks ago that it was really close; I got a scheduled email from google calendar that I set up for myself saying "chain should need changing now" plus I had just checked it. Three weeks ago, that the indicator tool said 'change it now'. But I tried to get cute; I'd read online how the tools aren't that accurate, and to be accurate you needed to actually measure the chain. I did that, using a steel ruler for accuracy, and it looked like it could go another couple of weeks.
Last night, I measured it and it was right where the authorities say "OK, change it now" so I did so.
Got on the bike this morning and the rear gears are skipping like hell. Luckily it only does it badly under acceleration (and lower gears, which makes sense) so it wasn't entirely maddening.
Anyway, lesson learned. I'm ordering (another) replacement freewheel (luckily they're < $20 shipped), putting the old chain back on until it arrives (the old chain is worn exactly like the freewheel so it works OK). And from now on, I'm changing the chain out as soon as the wear indicator hits the line.
Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't just run the same chain for 10,000 miles, let it and the freewheel and the chainring all wear out together, then replace the whole mess. But 10,000 miles is only 5 chains, which is about $25 in chains, so replacing all that stuff would definitely run into way more than that. So economically speaking, it's best to change the chains.
Of course, if it weren't for the sand/gravel/clay mix I ride on every day, a single chain would actually last 10,000 miles in the first place. But as it is, it's not possible to keep my chain clean for even a few miles.
If I ever buy another dedicated commuting bike, it'll have internal gears and an enclosed drivetrain.
