Chain. Service or buy a new one?

[tlippy]

The 700 used a KMC PRO 8 SPEED chain..Available on Amazon for $12. If a chain gets even a little grungy, I'm inclined to just replace it. Unless the chain rings are wearing in an equal amount. What do you guys do?

 

[Deleted member 18083]

• If a chain gets even a little grungy, I'm inclined to just replace it.
• What do you guys do?

• Clean and lube the chain long before it becomes 'grungy'.
• Replace it when my chain measuring tool 'tells' me to.

 

[Tars Tarkas]

Cleaning a chain isn't a big deal. Kinda like washing your socks instead of buying new. Check Youtube for ideas on how to do it.

TT

 

[rich c]

You'll be buying the chains by the dozen with your suggested approach. Especially if you do any gravel riding. I clean and lube my chain every 250 miles. Your rear gears will likely wear much faster than the chainring.

 

[Sierratim]

There's over 4 dozen posts re this topic HERE.

Basically everyone cleans their chains every couple of hundred miles, more or less. After a gravel ride I wipe mine down with WD40 sprayed on a rag then lube with a brand name product. I clean with a degreaser in a scrubber type cleaner then wipe with a clean cloth and lube. I wipe off excess lube after shifting through the gears a couple of times.

I have a mid-drive ebike which are harder on the bike chain so I replace my chain well before my wear gauge says it's time, usually every ~1,000 miles. Some who have not ended up having to also replace more expensive, and harder to get, drive components.