Do Bike Chains Stretch?

Do bicycle chains really stretch? The short answer is

no, however they do wear in such a way as to cause their maximum length to increase

. Mechanics usually refer to this as chain “stretch.” It is the sign of a worn out chain that should be replaced.

What happens if bike chain is stretched?

Very noticeable performance issues only really begin when the chain has stretched a lot. The problem is that when you ride a bike with a worn out chain you start doing damage to other drivetrain parts, namely your cassette and even your chainrings.

The stretched chain wears out and can damage the teeth on the cassette

.

How much do bike chains stretch?

The number most commonly agreed on for a worn chain is

one percent elongation between links

. In reality though, you want to replace the chain before this point. So therefore anything past 12, 1/16 inches (0.5 percent) would be the time to replace a chain.

Are bike chains supposed to 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. Derailleur is the gear changing mechanism towards the back of the bike.

How do I know if my chain is worn out?

How often should you replace your 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.

Do chains really stretch?

Do bicycle chains really stretch? The short answer is

no, however they do wear in such a way as to cause their maximum length to increase

. Mechanics usually refer to this as chain “stretch.” It is the sign of a worn out chain that should be replaced. Illustration of extreme wear on a chain pin.

Do mountain bike chains stretch?

What is ‘chain stretch’? While chain stretch is used synonymously with chain wear,

chains don’t actually stretch

. As you ride your MTB, the chain wears at the rivets and rollers from straining against the rows of sharp teeth. As the rollers continue to wear down, the chain develops play or movement around the pins.

How many miles does a bike chain last?

So, typically, a bike chain can last anywhere from

500 to 5,000 miles

, depending on the type of chain you buy and the number of miles you put on your bike. If you ride your bike very seldom, or only go on the occasional evening ride, your bike chain can last years with good maintenance.

How do you prevent chain stretches?

How to Prevent Chain Stretch.

The most important factor in preventing chain stretch is lubrication

. If roller chains are poorly lubricated, stretching will take place very quickly. When a chain has elongated 3% of its original length, it must be replaced.

How often should I replace my bike helmet?

The government testing body in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), recommends replacing a bicycle helmet

every five to 10 years

. The Snell Memorial Foundation, which also certifies helmets for safety, states a firm five years.

What happens if my chain is too loose?

The major symptoms of a loose chain include chain teeth skipping over the sprockets, uneven transmission of power to the wheel leading to jerky wheel movements, chain lash and the chain slapping the swindle arm, and in the final case, chain coming off the sprocket.

How tight should the chain be on a single speed bicycle?

Chain Tension

There should be

approximately one half inch of movement in the chain up and down at a point half way between the front and rear sprockets

. To change the tension loosen one of the axle-nuts and move the wheel forward or backward slightly and snug it up again.

How do you loosen a bike chain?

Place the stiff link into the chain tool, on the slots closest to the turning handle. Now thread the chain tool’s pin gently against the chain pin about 1/8th of a turn, or just enough to slightly loosen the chain plates. That should loosen it enough.

How many links should a bike chain have?

A new bicycle chain usually comes with

116 links

. This is long enough for the biggest chainrings and for most distances of rear wheel from front chainrings. So for optimal length a new chain is usually shortened from the 116 links that come in the box.

Are bike chains universal?

All modern bicycle chains are made to the “one-half inch pitch” standard, meaning from rivet to rivet is nominally 0.5 inches. The sprocket teeth are cut for this same one-half inch standard to accept bicycle chains. However,

this does not mean all makes and models of chains are interchangeable

.

Are all bike chains the same?

Are all bicycle chains the same size?

No, all bicycle chains are not the same size

. Size varies on the bike’s numbers of sprockets, speeds, the distance between the front chainring and rear cogs, and the number of teeth on them.

How many years do bike tires last?

How long does a cassette last?

A cassette, in most cases, can last for approximately

two to three chain replacements

if they are done at the right time.

What does a worn cassette look like?

“The easiest way to determine if your cassette is worn out is to install a new chain.

If the chain skips under pedalling load

then it’s time for a new cassette. Of course, do this test in such a way that a skipping chain will not injure the rider!

Do chains loosen over time?

However,

old chains will begin to see significant stretch

. This “stretch” is actually just the wearing down of the pins and bushings. You may not notice any difference in length if you lay a new and old chain side by side, but you’ll see a significant difference in the way they hold weight.

How much does chain stretch over time?

The maximum allowable wear elongation is approximately

3%

for most industrial applications, based upon sprocket design. The allowable chain wear in percent for large sprockets with 68 teeth or greater can be calculated using the relationship: 200/N, where N is the number of teeth in the large sprocket.

How long should a mountain bike chain last?

A typical mountain bike chain will last

750 miles

of single track riding. It’s not easy to gauge exactly how long a chain will last, but there are ways to prolong the life of the chain.