609.4 Miles: Replaced Stretched Chain

Today I replaced my "stretched chain". The chain actually does not stretch, but each link pivot point wears into an oblong shape. The grit that gets captured in the oil is what causes the wear.

I was surprised that this happened so quickly at 609.4 miles, but I guess mountain biking is harder on the equipment.

The picture on the left shows the worn chain with my Nashbar chain gauge. When the gauge can be slid in place, the stretch is 1% and a replacement is recommended.




This picture shows the new chain. The gauge cannot fit in the link and therefore is not 1% stretched.

You want to replace the chain at this point because if you don't the cassette and even chain rings would then wear to accommodate the stretched chain. This chain is only $15, so it is not that expensive. The new chain comes with a quick link, so it is easier to remove for degreasing.
If you replace the chain and the cassette or chainring are worn, then you will have trouble shifting.


I lined the chain up and you can see that the bottom old chain is about a half a link longer over the length of the chain. The amount of wear is amazing.

I also got this nice hex wrench set at Nashbar. It was on sale for just $20.

609.4 Miles: 50 Ride Preventative Maintenance

If you look at my preventative maintenance plan that I posted on September 03, 2008 it is pretty conservative. So I have been adjusting it based on my experience. The Fantom 29 with my riding style requires very little preventative maintenance.




The following is the recommended maintenance for up to 50 rides. I will do the following maintenance:

Every 5 Rides: Inspect wheel true, degrease drive train, clean & wash bike

Yes- all good ideas. I checked the wheels and they are still true. I degreased the drive train.

Every 10 Rides: Inspect nuts & bolts, Inspect & tighten cranks, lube cables- brake & gears

Yes- all good ideas

Every 25 Rides: Inspect chain stretch, Inspect wear of chainrings, replace grips

Yes to inspecting chain stretch and chainrings. I am going to have to replace the chain as my chain is just at 1% stretch. This is surprising to me since I only have 609.4 miles. The chainrings are fine.

No to replacing grips because they look fine.



Every 50 Rides: Grease nuts & bolts, Replace cables & housing, Replace chain. Replace tires

I checked the brakes. Including the backing there is 4mm front and 4.5 to 5 mm rear. Avid recommends replacement at 3 mm so I should have at least another year.

Yes to greasing nuts & bolts. I also lubed the fork seal.

No to replacing cables & housing. They look fine. I did this on my road bike at 2580 miles.




No to replacing tires. They look fine also. I had over 4000 miles on my road bike on the same tires and probably could have put on more. I replaced them on March 5, 2010

THE FANTOM 29 IS READY FOR ANOTHER YEAR!

262.5 Miles: 25 Ride Preventative Maintenance

Today I performed the 25 Ride Preventative Maintenance. I am really at 23 rides but since it was a rainy day (due to Hurricane Hannah), I took the opportunity to perform the maintenance.



True the wheels: The front wheel was right on. I only had to tweak 2 spokes on the rear wheel



Inspect Chain Stretch: Using a ruler I determined that there is no chain stretch. I place the ruler end at a centerline of a chain link pin and use the ruler to see if the centerline of a pin falls at the 12 inch mark. If the pin near the 12 inch mark is beyond the mark that means the chain has "stretched". Actually what happens is that the individual pivot points wear bigger pivot holes. 1/16 inch is acceptable, 1/8 inch is too much and the chain should be replaced.



Degrease the drive chain:





I removed the chain with the chain tool.

















I then put the chain in my parts cleaner with mineral spirits. My parts cleaner is an old coffee cup that has a tight lid. Previously I closed the drinking hole and small vent with silicone caulk.



I shake the chain in the parts cleaner and it removes all of the grit.













I pour the dirty mineral spirits in a glass jar. The grit eventual settles to the bottom and I can reuse the mineral spirits for future cleanings. At some point I will evaporate the mineral spirits and throw out the solid gunk.















I then soak the chain in SAE 30 oil.





















This is the chain reinstalled. Nice, clean and well oiled.















Inspect nuts & bolts: Completed with no problems identified



Tighten cranks: Checked tightness and it was OK



Lube cables: I lubed the cables.



Inspect wear of chain rings: Chain rings and cassette were OK

Preventative Maintenance Plan

I found a maintenance schedule that looks pretty good. I will use it as guidance. Some of the items seem a bit too frequent (like replace your grips every 25 rides). The schedule is as follows


Off-road riding - average riding 5-10 miles

Each Ride: Inspect tire pressure, lube & clean chain
Every 5 Rides: Inspect wheel true, degrease drivetrain, clean & wash bike
Every 10 Rides: Inspect nuts & bolts, Inspect & tighten cranks, lube cables- brake & gears
Every 25 Rides: Inspect chain stretch, Inspect wear of chainrings, replace grips
Every 50 Rides: Grease nuts & bolts, Replace cables & housing, Replace chain. Replace tires
Every 100 Rides: Replace cassette, Replace chainrings, Grease bearings, Replace bottom bracket



So I am getting close to 25 rides. At that time I will perform the following maintenance: true the wheels, degrease the drive chain, inspect nuts & bolts, tighten cranks, lube cables, inspect chain stretch, and inspect wear of chain rings.