Chain. The main source of resistance in the drivetrain is the chain. Even a new, well-oiled chain will lose about 3% of the power that is put into the pedals. This is in the typical bikepacker range of
150-200 watts
; efficiency is slightly better at higher levels of power.
How efficient is a bicycle chain?
A bicycle chain can be very energy efficient:
one study reported efficiencies as high as 98.6%
. The study, performed in a clean laboratory environment, found that efficiency was not greatly affected by the state of lubrication.
How many watts do you lose from a dirty chain?
Studies by the Friction Facts test lab showed that not cleaning and lubing a bike chain after a muddy ride cost 12 watts for a rider putting out
250 watts
(~5 percent of his or her power), and after a rainy ride, the power loss was 6 watts.
How efficient is a bicycle drivetrain?
The most efficient bicycle chain runs in a perfectly straight line, in fact, a drivetrain without gears (singlespeed) can operate with
97% efficiency
. The result is that 97% of the power that you put into the pedals goes into driving your rear wheel.
Does a worn chain slow you down?
Old worn out chains feel sluggish as they have a high slugocity factor
. This is to be avoided at all costs. Ok, so I know my chain is stretched when the gears start slipping and the drivetrain is a bit rough.
Does a dirty chain slow you down?
It’s especially important to properly wash your drivetrain, as the parts that keep you in motion suffer greatest from abuse and neglect. A grimy chain makes for sloppy shifting and chews through expensive cassette cogs.
Gunked-up chainrings slow you down
.
Will a 12 speed chain work on 11 speed?
Condensed answer:
A 12-speed chain can work with an 11-speed cassette
. However, it’s recommended to avoid using a Shimano 12-speed chain because it doesn’t play well with 11-speed chainrings.
Is a chain better than a belt?
Chain drives are made of metal, which makes them more durable and stronger compared to a belt
. The metal chain is designed to have a design that corresponds to the other side. On the other hand, the belt drive is made of synthetic materials, and it is also flatter and smoother.
Can you put an 11 speed chain on a 10 speed?
Condensed Answer: An 11-speed chain is narrower than a 10-speed chain and
can therefore be combined with a 10-speed cassette
.
Does bike chain affect performance?
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 many watts does a waxed chain Save?
A WattShop waxed chain saves
1-1.5% of your total power output, typically 3-5 watts for most riders
. Each chain undergoes a 3 stage ultrasonic cleaning process before being ultrasonically bathed in a paraffin wax and a unique blend, after which it is dusted with PTFE powder to reduce drivetrain friction yet further.
How much faster is a waxed chain?
A waxed chain reduces friction and helps to propel you fowards and faster! A waxed chain from NRG Chains saves
1-1.5% of your total power output
, typically 3-5 watts for most riders.
Are 1x chains different?
The major reason is
higher articulation angles of the chain due to the chain going over a smaller cog on the 1X
; this forces the chain to bend more around the cog. Tension on the upper span of a chain is inversely proportional to chainring size: The smaller the chainring, the higher the chain tension.
What is the most efficient bicycle?
A
recumbent bicycle
is more energy-efficient because being lower to the ground reduces the size of the bike and body that is being blocked by wind and air resistance (Proc Biol Sci, 2001 Jul 7;268(1474):1351-60).
Which is faster 1x or 3X?
Gear range of different drivetrains:
In the above example of bikes with common drivetrains, the
1X bikes top out at 47 to 48KPH in their highest gear, while a 2X or 3X bike will offer 15-20% more speed, topping out at 56 to 57KPH
.
Do bicycle 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. Illustration of extreme wear on a chain pin.
How do I know if my bike chain is worn?
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
.
Can a rusty bike chain slow you down?
A rusty bicycle doesn’t just look bad, it can seriously hinder your bike’s performance.
A rusty bike chain can slow you down
, stop bells from working, and rust can corrode the spokes, which if left unchecked can reduce the structural integrity of your bike.
How much slower is a dirty bike?
A bad chain can double or triple shifting times, which makes you much slower while climbing a hill due to dropping back in speed quickly with a slower rebound. In single speed bicycles the difference is the least. Maybe
1 to 3%
in really bad rusted cases.
Should I wax my chain?
You’ll know
the chain definitely needs re-waxing if it starts to sound dry or squeaky
. If you do a wet ride, the chain will need re-waxing (or at least cleaning and drying) immediately to prevent corrosion from forming.
Where are Ybn chains made?
YBN, headquartered in Taiwan, production bases located in
Taiwan and Vietnam
.
Are 11 and 12 speed chains the same?
The chainring on a 1x system will only “see” the internal of the chain, so
yes, a 11 speed chain will work fine with a 12 speed chainring
(that’s usually 11/12sp chainring).
Can I use a 12 speed chain on a 9 speed cassette?
Using an 11 or 12 speed chain on a 9 speed cassette will present problems with smooth shifting and the big danger would be risk of severe chain jam
should the thinner profile chain of 11 or 12 speeds get stuck between cogs of a 9 speed cassette which are spaced wider than an 11 or 12 speed cassette’s cogs.
Can I use a 12 speed chain on a 10 speed cassette?
-chains have the same outer dimension, the 12 speed derailleur would have narrower cogs than what required for a 10 speed. –
As long as you can set the high/low limits on the derailleur to keep it on the cassette it should be fine
.
Is a Gates belt drive worth it?
The claimed advantages of the Gates Belt Drive compared to a traditional chain drive are
lower maintenance and less mess (no lube is required), quieter and smoother (no metal to metal contact), lighter weight, and better durability
. Gates also claims that the system provides twice the lifespan of a chain-driven system.
Is chain drive a positive drive?
Chain drive is one engagement drive. It is one non-positive drive because of frequent slip and creep.
Chain drive tends to offer a positive drive as it is free from slip
. Belt drive is preferred for medium to large centre distance.
How long does a Gates belt drive last?
Belt drive combined with a Pinion gearbox on a Hilite bicycle. You can expect a regularly cleaned belt drivetrain to last
upwards of 30,000km/19,000mi
. Additionally, belts will not rust if they get wet regularly (or are subject to salt near the beach).
