Got a 2018 Supersix in November. The owner had replaced its chain in September, but had a couple other roadbikes they were riding instead as far as I’m aware. Seemed like they barely used it, if at all, since September.
I went and got it checked up just to see if the pads needed replacing, if some other stuff needed adjustments or fixing. I’d like to do more small repairs and replacements myself, but with derailleur tuning I’m super hesitant. The few times I tried that it did not go well.
Anyway, he whips out a chain checker much like mine and goes ‘well, you could really replace the chain… but you could maybe do a few hundred more on it’.
I just now (after a couple months of riding only a couple times due to the weather) remembered to check it with a BBB BTL-125. It seems *completely fine*. Is he full of shit, or is this tool not accurate?
V1ld0r_ on
2×10 right? Then I would say no, you can wait out until 0.75. However, on the picture it doesn’t seem like the tool is properly seated against the roller. Make sure you are measuring properly.
Working_Bench_6780 on
He’s full of shit , he’d likely clean your chain up and sell it on to the next victim.
TherealPadrae on
Ask him to show you how to check chain wear properly.
Number4combo on
The Park chain checker tool uses tension to help check chain wear, maybe he used that but it’s worn and showing him as it’s worn out.
Either that or he is a long time Redditor and can tell by a tiny bit of rust that a chain needs replacing.
bmgvfl on
This chain does not seem to be worn. Is it a YBN chain ? I have put well over 7000km on my current one and it does not show any signs of wear. Couldnt even get the digital gauge in. It is however on a trainer with perfect chainline and no contamination.
causabledig on
My experience as someone who works in a bike shop is the following: some of the mechanics I work with are perfectionists and will recommend things be replaced to make the bike as close to “perfect” as possible. Other mechanics I work with think more about the customer and how they are likely to respond if presented with an option to replace or not replace. I live in a pretty small town so most people know which mechanic they like at the shop and usually request to have their work done by the corresponding mechanic so everyone ends up happy.
I’d hope the mechanic isn’t a scammer and more of a “let’s make it perfect” person but you know more about that than me. You’ve got to evaluate for yourself. From the photo that chain looks to be in fantastic shape.
Side note, in my experience most chain checkers have very large degrees of variance in terms of accuracy. I usually try to check my chain with two different measurement tools to see if the results are similar.
PatMat05 on
My opinion, when do you change a chain. Like a car cambelt you change it before you see any signs of wear just in case, same with a chain. Change before further damage occurs. You may only have a few hundred miles on it. Playing devils advocate, this chain doesn’t need changing yet, but it may show close to 0.75 on his chain checker. Go back to him with your chain checker and be honest. Ask and I’m sure he’ll tell you what you can do and what would be ideal. If he still stands by “it’ll need changing soon when it gets to 0.75”, buy a new chain and tell him you’ll install it yourself closer to the time.
You said you wanted to do small repairs yourself anyway. Changing a chain is a perfect place to start when you feel confident it’s acceptable.
w00ker on
Are you experiencing any issues? No? Then you dont need to replace imo. I normally only replace (chain and cassette) when i start noticing issues when pedalling (like on a climb).
Also depends on how many kilometers/miles you make but 5k km should be no problem with proper parts and seeing the dura ace derailleur and (KMC?) chain, you should be good.
aidanc1116 on
in my experience chain checkers get deformed pretty easily if dropped or bent in any way causing an inaccurate reading. yours or his or both may be bent and reading inaccurately. i’d compare a few different measurements with different tools or just a new checker
papa_hou on
Chain looks fine to me. I have the same chain checker,
All non single speed chains are the same, 3/32 pitch, so 7/8/9/10/11/12 (excl flat top). chains can be checked by this tool.
The tool is thin eough to fit between the links, so maybe thats causing some of the confusion??
The TI-nitrate coating on the KMC will wear off before you wear out the pins and rollers. That chain looks quite new.
In defense of your mechanic. Your chainring looks like it could be needing a new ring. 4th tooth down from the chainstay is looking a bit “Sharky”, If the chainring is worn out, it could be an indicator at first glance and thus a reason to suggest a new chain + chainring. swapping a new chainring onto a used chain isn’t ideal.
I would guess this is an older crank and chainset put onto the bike for the powermeter.
Overall quite a mix of components. Dura-ace derailleurs, Ultegra cassette, sram chainring, kmc chain… all technically compatible, rather unlikely they all got on the bike at the same time.
rhubarboretum on
If you place the chain measuring tool on a link with the braces (?) on the outside, there’s a chance the tool is stopped by the inner braces of the next link, which then shows you no wear.
It’s not super likely but can happen.
Basis_Mountain on
The most accurate way to measure chain wear is to put that gauge in a handful of sections, chains never wear evenly.
if most of the chain is 0.5 “stretch” Or less, its fine.
Enough_Song8815 on
If he was trying to scam you he would have hit you up for chain rings & cog as well. Form a relationship with your local bike shop, don’t buy the little stuff on line and the shop will take care of you when it comes to working on your bike.
Icy-Section-7421 on
Trust the tool. 9.5 in new or not worn. 0.75 means change it. 1.0 means your hurting your cassette.if it is a little rust, wire brush it off and buy a bottle of chain lube and use it frequently.
Hot_Leg_7534 on
11 speed chains you need to change at .5
StrictDisk4281 on
I have the same chain checker, it may be not perfect, but good enough to know when to change chain. 20000km checking with this bbb tool and replacing chain by myself, no issues
17 Comments
Got a 2018 Supersix in November. The owner had replaced its chain in September, but had a couple other roadbikes they were riding instead as far as I’m aware. Seemed like they barely used it, if at all, since September.
I went and got it checked up just to see if the pads needed replacing, if some other stuff needed adjustments or fixing. I’d like to do more small repairs and replacements myself, but with derailleur tuning I’m super hesitant. The few times I tried that it did not go well.
Anyway, he whips out a chain checker much like mine and goes ‘well, you could really replace the chain… but you could maybe do a few hundred more on it’.
I just now (after a couple months of riding only a couple times due to the weather) remembered to check it with a BBB BTL-125. It seems *completely fine*. Is he full of shit, or is this tool not accurate?
2×10 right? Then I would say no, you can wait out until 0.75. However, on the picture it doesn’t seem like the tool is properly seated against the roller. Make sure you are measuring properly.
He’s full of shit , he’d likely clean your chain up and sell it on to the next victim.
Ask him to show you how to check chain wear properly.
The Park chain checker tool uses tension to help check chain wear, maybe he used that but it’s worn and showing him as it’s worn out.
Either that or he is a long time Redditor and can tell by a tiny bit of rust that a chain needs replacing.
This chain does not seem to be worn. Is it a YBN chain ? I have put well over 7000km on my current one and it does not show any signs of wear. Couldnt even get the digital gauge in. It is however on a trainer with perfect chainline and no contamination.
My experience as someone who works in a bike shop is the following: some of the mechanics I work with are perfectionists and will recommend things be replaced to make the bike as close to “perfect” as possible. Other mechanics I work with think more about the customer and how they are likely to respond if presented with an option to replace or not replace. I live in a pretty small town so most people know which mechanic they like at the shop and usually request to have their work done by the corresponding mechanic so everyone ends up happy.
I’d hope the mechanic isn’t a scammer and more of a “let’s make it perfect” person but you know more about that than me. You’ve got to evaluate for yourself. From the photo that chain looks to be in fantastic shape.
Side note, in my experience most chain checkers have very large degrees of variance in terms of accuracy. I usually try to check my chain with two different measurement tools to see if the results are similar.
My opinion, when do you change a chain. Like a car cambelt you change it before you see any signs of wear just in case, same with a chain. Change before further damage occurs. You may only have a few hundred miles on it. Playing devils advocate, this chain doesn’t need changing yet, but it may show close to 0.75 on his chain checker. Go back to him with your chain checker and be honest. Ask and I’m sure he’ll tell you what you can do and what would be ideal. If he still stands by “it’ll need changing soon when it gets to 0.75”, buy a new chain and tell him you’ll install it yourself closer to the time.
You said you wanted to do small repairs yourself anyway. Changing a chain is a perfect place to start when you feel confident it’s acceptable.
Are you experiencing any issues? No? Then you dont need to replace imo. I normally only replace (chain and cassette) when i start noticing issues when pedalling (like on a climb).
Also depends on how many kilometers/miles you make but 5k km should be no problem with proper parts and seeing the dura ace derailleur and (KMC?) chain, you should be good.
in my experience chain checkers get deformed pretty easily if dropped or bent in any way causing an inaccurate reading. yours or his or both may be bent and reading inaccurately. i’d compare a few different measurements with different tools or just a new checker
Chain looks fine to me. I have the same chain checker,
All non single speed chains are the same, 3/32 pitch, so 7/8/9/10/11/12 (excl flat top). chains can be checked by this tool.
The tool is thin eough to fit between the links, so maybe thats causing some of the confusion??
The TI-nitrate coating on the KMC will wear off before you wear out the pins and rollers. That chain looks quite new.
In defense of your mechanic. Your chainring looks like it could be needing a new ring. 4th tooth down from the chainstay is looking a bit “Sharky”, If the chainring is worn out, it could be an indicator at first glance and thus a reason to suggest a new chain + chainring. swapping a new chainring onto a used chain isn’t ideal.
I would guess this is an older crank and chainset put onto the bike for the powermeter.
Overall quite a mix of components. Dura-ace derailleurs, Ultegra cassette, sram chainring, kmc chain… all technically compatible, rather unlikely they all got on the bike at the same time.
If you place the chain measuring tool on a link with the braces (?) on the outside, there’s a chance the tool is stopped by the inner braces of the next link, which then shows you no wear.
It’s not super likely but can happen.
The most accurate way to measure chain wear is to put that gauge in a handful of sections, chains never wear evenly.
if most of the chain is 0.5 “stretch” Or less, its fine.
If he was trying to scam you he would have hit you up for chain rings & cog as well. Form a relationship with your local bike shop, don’t buy the little stuff on line and the shop will take care of you when it comes to working on your bike.
Trust the tool. 9.5 in new or not worn. 0.75 means change it. 1.0 means your hurting your cassette.if it is a little rust, wire brush it off and buy a bottle of chain lube and use it frequently.
11 speed chains you need to change at .5
I have the same chain checker, it may be not perfect, but good enough to know when to change chain. 20000km checking with this bbb tool and replacing chain by myself, no issues