Does a new bike chain need to break in?
There should be no “break in” period for a new chain/cassette combo. New chains and old cassettes may have issues which will not resolve themselves because the cassette is too worn but a new/new combo should work fine right out of the box.
Should a bike chain be tight?
It should be tight enough that it only allows you to move it up and down about one inch. If it is sagging or much looser than that, you need to tighten that chain up. Chains often loosen when a bike does not have a derailleur. … The derailleur helps to pull the chain and keep it tight.
Do chains really stretch?
Did you know that drive chain does not actually ‘stretch’? Its elongation is caused when material is removed from the pins and bushings. … As material is worn away from these surfaces, the chain will gradually elongate.
How often should I change my bike chain?
To avoid this accelerated wear of your cassette and chainrings, a general rule of thumb is to replace your bike’s chain every 2,000 miles. Mind you, this is just a starting point. No two chains will wear at exactly the same rate because no two riders treat their chains the same.
Does a worn chain slow you down?
There are few things worse on a bike than having a chain jumping about on the cassette, especially when putting the power down or climbing. A new chain will glide along the cogs on your rear cassette and derailleur pulleys with a sweet hum! Old worn out chains feel sluggish as they have a high slugocity factor.
How long does it take to break in a new bike chain?
The break in period is about 15 minutes.
Why does my bike chain slip when I pedal hard?
Most of the time, a skipping chain is caused by cable stretch. In the first half dozen rides on a new bike your shift cables stretch the most. They can also stretch over time as you ride. Hippley explains, “It takes cable tension to open a derailleur, which shifts your chain between gears.
What happens if your bike chain is too loose?
If it is too loose, the chain could skip or drop, and you can see it sag. … The rear derailleur on these bikes serves two purposes: to allow shifting across the cassette or freewheel, and to tension the chain as the amount of chain wrapped around the gears changes as you shift.
How do I know if my roller chain is worn?
How To Measure Chain Stretch
- Identify chain pitch size.
- Locate the corresponding step on the gauge.
- Check gauge for fit between any two roller links. (Do this with chain in tension.)
- If the gauge step fits through the checkpoint, the chain is worn out and needs to be replaced.