Road Dust Problem

I cleaned my 38 year old Dahon chain earlier this year by cutting a used one gallon plastic washer fluid bottle and added some GoofOff (xylene and benzene) and coaxed it in and out since the chain goes around the frame and I didn't want to use my chain breaker to take it off not knowing if I have the correct master link on hand. That is a 3-speed tranny so no exposed gear cassette. Mainly saw a decent amount of black "sand" or dirt in the bottom of the container. I've been wondering, like with chainsaws, do you just run a chain until it breaks or replace it every X operating hours or driven miles or after X years? I imagine there's more wear and tear on the chain with external cassette gears.
 
It would be best to get a chain wear gauge and proactively replace the chain when it reaches 75%. There are many cheaper gauges on the market but I prefer this one from Park Tool :

1760814180288.png

Amazon.com : PARK TOOL Chain Checker : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : PARK TOOL Chain Checker : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors
www.amazon.com
 
Hewholaughslast said:
I cleaned my 38 year old Dahon chain earlier this year by cutting a used one gallon plastic washer fluid bottle and added some GoofOff (xylene and benzene) and coaxed it in and out since the chain goes around the frame and I didn't want to use my chain breaker to take it off not knowing if I have the correct master link on hand. That is a 3-speed tranny so no exposed gear cassette. Mainly saw a decent amount of black "sand" or dirt in the bottom of the container. I've been wondering, like with chainsaws, do you just run a chain until it breaks or replace it every X operating hours or driven miles or after X years? I imagine there's more wear and tear on the chain with external cassette gears.
Click to expand...
You're correct... A one to one cog setup has less lateral forces on them and typically need to be changed less often.
You can wait until the chain has reached 1.% stretch before replacing it. Depending on the chain quality and how much you load it, it can last anywhere from 1500mi to over 5000mi
Screenshot_20251019_094135_Chrome~2.jpg

IMO... You don't need an expensive professional tool to do so.

Amazon.com : Park Tool CC-4.2 Bicycle Chain Wear Checker : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : Park Tool CC-4.2 Bicycle Chain Wear Checker : Sports & Outdoors
www.amazon.com

And personally these very inexpensive tools is all I use and without issue. No NASA certification required.

Amazon.com : BikeHand Bike Chain Checker Tool | Chain Wear Indicator Tool Compatible with Shimano Sram Campagnolo KMC & Other Brands for 7 to 12 Speed Chains | Maintenance for Road, Mountain & Hybrid Bikes : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : BikeHand Bike Chain Checker Tool | Chain Wear Indicator Tool Compatible with Shimano Sram Campagnolo KMC & Other Brands for 7 to 12 Speed Chains | Maintenance for Road, Mountain & Hybrid Bikes : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors
www.amazon.com
 
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Ah-Ha! There's a tool for that. I should have guessed that someone would have introduced science into bicycle chains. I wonder if there's a tool that can measure shrinkage? You know like after I've been in the pool? It shrinks, like a frightened turtle. Ha-Ha!
 
I use the old school Park all metal gauges. I have two because I bought the 10/11 speed one first before I bought the 12 speed one. No need to "upgrade" a gauge like this. If treated right, it will never wear out.
 
Hewholaughslast said:
Ah-Ha! There's a tool for that. I should have guessed that someone would have introduced science into bicycle chains. I wonder if there's a tool that can measure shrinkage? You know like after I've been in the pool? It shrinks, like a frightened turtle. Ha-Ha!
Click to expand...
Actually, there is a tool for that:
1760969777524.png


bathmatedirect.com

Measuring Gauge

Whether you're sizing yourself up for a Bathmate penis pump or just want to find out your real dimensions, accurately measuring your penis can be difficult. The Bathmate Measuring Gauge completely takes away uncertainty, with a flexible design letting you easily measure length and girth.
bathmatedirect.com bathmatedirect.com
 
6zfshdb said:
Actually, there is a tool for that:
View attachment 201093

bathmatedirect.com

Measuring Gauge

Whether you're sizing yourself up for a Bathmate penis pump or just want to find out your real dimensions, accurately measuring your penis can be difficult. The Bathmate Measuring Gauge completely takes away uncertainty, with a flexible design letting you easily measure length and girth.
bathmatedirect.com bathmatedirect.com
Click to expand...
Seems like in 2025, there'd be an app for that.
 
6zfshdb said:
There is an app for that! 😁😁

It's called Penometer, and is available on the app store:

View attachment 201096

penometer.app

Penometer App – Track & Compare Your Penis Size

Curious about where you stand? Get accurate, data-driven insights on penis size and see how you compare to other men. Download Penometer now.
penometer.app penometer.app
Click to expand...
So it's like Strava with a leader board?? And just when I thought life couldn't get any stranger.

We may just have set the record for farthest stray from an OP's question.
 
I made a tool from cross-section of a soup can. It works like a cookie cutter and is shaped like a phallus. It is used for making potato pancakes called dick-tatters. It is small, maybe an inch and a half long. I wonder how it measures to the real thing.
1760993930046.png

1760993776549.jpeg
 
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