Thought I found a good shop , but owner told me it was time for a new chain and cassette. Replaced cassette last year and only done a few outdoor rides with this bike since, otherwise it was on the trainer all winter. He told me “the way they make them these days, chains and cassettes have to be replaced at the same time”.
My main question is what, if anything, is true here? I don’t really experience any skipping to make me think the cassette is worn, but I don’t have the eye for it. I’d happily replace the chain, but checker says it’s fine? Any thoughts?
by leninluvr
15 Comments
Bummer. I’d say, based solely on photos on the internet, that your chain/cassette is fine.
Also, 10spd drivetrain is hardly from “these days”..
to my understanding the only to check if you need a new cassette is if a new chain skips on the cassette. its usually 3 chains to a cassette.
If you’re using the tool correctly then your chain is new. A cassette should last through 2 or 3 chains.
I’ve worked in shops that want to replace every chain that comes in and every other cassette. Sometimes it’s an easy way to add value to a service ticket.
I’d call them on their BS, I take photos of worn components and even keep them in a bag to give back to the customer. Photo and physical evidence is what it takes to not come across as a shady shop, and that sucks.
Shop owner confirmed jabroni
Always ask to keep the old parts
As someone else said if you’re using the checker properly you’re good to go. That being said most people need a new cassette when their chains are worn because they ride them long past the point of being able to salvage the cassette. Also it’s common to wear out the higher gears on the cassette and nobody sells just the small chainrings.
First off, you’re right — chains and cassettes do not have to be replaced at the same time. That is only the case if you neglected to replace your chain soon enough, and the cassette has been worn to match the worn chain, so a new chain will skip. If you replace the chain when it needs it, the cassette should last the life of a few chains.
Just to be sure, you’re pinching the chain with your fingers like it shows on the label, right? If so, your chain is still good. I suppose it’s possible the shop uses a different design of chain checker which does not isolate for pin wear like yours does. If that’s the case, their tool may have ([incorrectly](http://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-004/000.html)) indicated that your chain needs replacement.
Besides, usually the recommendation for replacing at 0.5% wear is for 11-speed and up. Theoretically you should be good to 0.75%.
Chain looks great if the checker is on right. However your cassette is shot. When you put your bike in the trainer did you clean the chain and cassette first? I’ve seen chains and cassettes chewed up by grit. If you clean your drive train regularly you will get more life out of them. If I were still a shop manager and you brought this to me I’d do a chain and cassette. You may well need chain rings as well. If a good chain by a gauge doesn’t fit a gear the gear is worn out.
In my PERSONAL experience the higher the gears the more likely its to skip with just a new chain BUT just buy the chain try it and if it works out then your golden. Also check if their tool is worn because I worked at a shop where the tool was made from some non existent company 44 years ago and the tool was worn so every chain that came through they thought was worn until I tried it on a few brand new ones and figured out the tool was worn.
Looking at the photo, if you’ve measured a clean and lubricated chain, and used the tool properly, the chain looks like it’s brand new.
I’d try discussing it with the owner first – to hear what they say.
A cassette can last from 2 to 4 chains, depending on riding conditions, cleaning and lubricating, and how much a rider stays on one or just a couple sprockets (and which sprockets those are – the smaller ones wear faster).
I’ve had a strong and heavy rider get their new chain skipping over the old cassette that had performed fine during my test ride. That’s why, especially with cheaper cassettes, I often recommend changing both, unless I’m certain that the rider knows how that works and won’t be angry for “receiving a bike with a skipping chain” (it’s better to be regarded as an expensive than as a poor quality service IMO).
TL/DR – try talking first, see what it’s about and if it sounds fair or fishy.
Relja
Your quick link is on backwards as well. The arrow should point in the direction of chain travel.
As measured, nothing wrong with the chain and likely the cassette if changes feel fine.
I’d do the chain and cassette at home, tools for this job are very cheap and would be used somewhat frequently by you. It’s also one of the easier things to do at home and only takes a couple of minutes to do.
Have fun tinkering!
yes chains and cassettes often need to be replaced with each other. the exception is if you’re really exceptionally good about replacing chains before they wear out, and even then don’t expect a cassette to last more than 2-3 chains. the wear on cassette teeth is undetectable by sight (unless it is, but at that point it’s BAD bad). even if an old cassette engages with a new chain, the deformity will wear out a new chain quickly.
but no, i don’t think you need a new chain or cassette in this case.
If that was the case, and you’re not experiencing chain skips, then wouldn’t you want to just wait until it starts to skip until you had to replace both?
Looks fine, both chain and cassette. Up to 9 speed, I often change chain and cassette together. A quality chain and a cassette cost the same.