How Much Does A Bicycle Chain Cost?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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So how much is a bike chain? A bike chain costs anywhere from

$10 to $90

depending on the brand, quality, and type of bike you’re buying it for. Basic, cheaper bikes that need a simple chain will be closer to $10. Higher quality chains that are durable and made for top notch road bikes will cost $60 to $90.

How much does a regular chain cost?

Diamond Carat Weight Price Per Carat Average Price of a Good Diamond for the Carat
0.50 Carat


$1,100–$7,690


$1,000
0.75 Carat $1,810–$8,800 $2,400 1.00 Carat $1,910–$15,650 $4,280 1.50 Carat $2,985–$22,330 $9,360

How do I get a new bike chain?

When selecting a chain,

the first consideration is the number of rear sprockets

. The rear cog sets have been made with 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 sprockets. As the number of cogs on the rear hub increases, the spacing between cogs tends to be reduced.

How often should bicycle chain be replaced?

It might be necessary to replace a chain that often if the bike is frequently ridden on wet or gritty roads. But chains can usually go

2,000 to 3,000 miles

or even longer before there’s enough wear to relegate them to the trash bin, if they are well maintained.

Are all bicycle 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.

What do I put on a bike chain?

Does bicycle chain make a difference?


The most noticeable difference when putting high-quality chains is the shifting performance

. The shifting is smooth as silk, even when changing gears under load, you can shift from the small to the big cogs within a seconds. Upgrading to a high-quality chain is a big boost to your drivetrain system.

How do I know what size bike chain to buy?

The method of chain sizing depends upon the range of gearing in the system. For bikes with rear sprockets 36 teeth and smaller, the common system is to

measure using the largest rear sprocket and largest front ring as a reference

. Two rivets are added to this (one-inch) for the place to cut the chain.

How do I know my bike chain size?

The easiest way to determine bike chain length is

the largest cog to largest chainring method

. Once the old chain has been removed, shift the front derailleur to the largest chainring, and the rear to the smallest.

Are bicycle chains universal?


No. Not all makes and models of bike chains fit on all bikes

. Most modern bike chains are made to the one-half inch pitch, but this dosn’t mean all chains fit all bikes.

How do I know if I need a new bike chain?

How can you tell a real Shimano chain?

  1. old packaging — chains in packaging that doesn’t look like current stuff is not likely to be ‘new old stock’, it’s just fake.
  2. wrong packaging.

How do I know if my bike chain needs replacing?

Another ballpark method for checking chain wear is by

measuring it with a ruler

. Pick a rivet and line it up at the zero mark. Count 24 more rivets and your last rivet should be at the 12′′ mark of your ruler. If it is off by more than 1/16′′ your chain is stretched to the point of replacement.

Is it OK to use wd40 on bike chain?


WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free

. It also minimizes the accumulation of dirt which reduces the wear and tear of the chain.

Can you fix a rusted bike chain?

The good news is that

a rusty chain is a relatively easy fix

. You can either clean the rust off the chain, or–if it’s really bad–replace the chain all together.

Can I use Vaseline on my bike chain?


Petroleum jelly can work as a chain lubricant, but it has some shortfalls

. What is this? First, it is more viscous than regular chain lubes or oil. Therefore, it doesn’t easily reach the inner surfaces of a bike chain.

What can I do with an old bike chain?

How to Recycle Bike Chains. The most popular fate for bicycle chains is to

repurpose them with arts and crafts projects, or to donate them to someone who will

. Alternatively, some local bicycle shops will take these off your hands in an attempt to recycle them.

Do you need to lube a new bike chain?

Do I need to degrease and re-lube a new chain? The advice from most of the major chain manufacturers is that

the lubrication chains come with is ideal for riding and doesn’t need to be removed

. Simply fit, ride and re-lube when necessary.

Does it matter what bike chain I get?


The correct type of chain depends on the type of riding your bike is made for, and the number of gears it has

. Chains from most manufacturers should fit, as long as the chain is made from good quality material and matches the number of sprockets in your bike’s rear cassette.

Does brand of bike chain matter?

If you want to guarantee the best compatibility,

you should keep the brand of chain the same as that of your derailleurs and shift levers

. Components within a brand are designed as a system to work best together.

How many miles should a bike cassette last?

Very Roughly: bike cassette can last between

4000 to 6000 miles

, and some can last up to 10,000 miles, an equivalent of 3 to 4 chains, it depends on the quality of the cassette itself, maintenance, and riding conditions.

What pitch is bicycle chain?

The chain in use on modern bicycles has a

1⁄2 inch (12.7 mm)

pitch, which is the distance from one pin center to another, ANSI standard #40, where the 4 in “#40” indicates the pitch of the chain in eighths of an inch; and ISO standard 606 (metric) #8, where the 8 indicates the pitch in sixteenths of an inch.

Are there different types of bike chains?


A number of different chain widths are available

, to suit specific bike types such as BMX, or to fit different road and MTB drivetrains (e.g. an 11-speed cassette requires a different chain to a 9-speed one – the chain must be thinner in order to fit into the narrower spaces between the sprockets.

How do you cut a bike chain?

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.