Taya Deca-101 10-speed chain, premature wear

[withiniswithout]

The shop measured my Taya chain with a Park Tools measuring tool. They said it had maybe 5% life left and it needed replaced. The chain has 2,400 km of use, about 1,500 miles. A previous chain, Shimano CN-M6100, lasted 3,245 km. I am not super fastidious about lubrication, but I keep the chain clean and use spray lubes. Both of these chains were maintained in the same way and both had similar use.

The Taya is a high-mileage chain, and they say it should last 5,000 km. However, I think they're talking about manual bikes, not eBikes. One site, MacFox, says that an eBike chain typically lasts 1500 to 2500 km, so perhaps what I'm getting is normal, average wear. A detailed review of the Taya chain is at this [LINK] A reviewer got 3,500 miles (5,632 km) out of this chain, but I'm pretty sure this was on a manual road bike with exemplary maintenance.

The shop is still recommending Taya chains, although there have been concerns about the master links failing.

If you have comments about the Taya chain let me know. Should I go back to a Shimano chain? Should I switch to Prolink lube to get more life out of the chain? Or is my chain life well within a normal range, and different lubrication routines would not provide much extra life?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

an eBike chain typically lasts 1500 to 2500 km

True.
It makes no sense to buy expensive "durable" chains. Buy a regular one at a lower price and replace as needed. You could invest in a chain wear tool and do the test yourself.

 

[fooferdoggie]

the most I get is 3000 on a KMS e bike chain. I would get 2000 miles out of standard chain.

 

[J.R.]

The shop measured my Taya chain with a Park Tools measuring tool. They said it had maybe 5% life left and it needed replaced. The chain has 2,400 km of use, about 1,500 miles. A previous chain, Shimano CN-M6100, lasted 3,245 km. I am not super fastidious about lubrication, but I keep the chain clean and use spray lubes. Both of these chains were maintained in the same way and both had similar use.

The Taya is a high-mileage chain, and they say it should last 5,000 km. However, I think they're talking about manual bikes, not eBikes. One site, MacFox, says that an eBike chain typically lasts 1500 to 2500 km, so perhaps what I'm getting is normal, average wear. A detailed review of the Taya chain is at this [LINK] A reviewer got 3,500 miles (5,632 km) out of this chain, but I'm pretty sure this was on a manual road bike with exemplary maintenance.

The shop is still recommending Taya chains, although there have been concerns about the master links failing.

If you have comments about the Taya chain let me know. Should I go back to a Shimano chain? Should I switch to Prolink lube to get more life out of the chain? Or is my chain life well within a normal range, and different lubrication routines would not provide much extra life?

I have a couple of ebikes with Sram and one with Shimano XT. Sram uses KMC and Shimano uses Shimano. Shimano chains have gotten me to 4k to 5k miles, KMC have never come close for me. KMC makes a chain to fit the Shimano, but the original lasted so long, I decided to keep it all Shimano. The only thing people don't like is Shimano recommends using link connector pins over master links. That has never bothered me. Quick and easy with a chain breaker. A lot of people say either are fine. If you can find a perfect fit with your gears and cogs, I would buy the Shimano chain.

I agree with the suggestion to get a chain checker. Simple and cheap, $11. This one works for 5 to 12 speed chains.

Park Tool CC-3.2 Bicycle Chain Checker 5-12 Speed​

Amazon.com