At what point does one need to replace a chain ring on a mountain bike?

Asked by: Art Cole

“Rough/noisy running is the best way to tell if a chainring needs replacing,” says Chris Mckenney of SRAM. “Unless a chainring is well beyond its service life it is very difficult to see this visually; chainring teeth slowly take on the shape of a shark’s fin in use.

When should I replace my bike chain ring?

Quote from video: Start to become hooked. Like little shark's teeth. And that is a surefire sign that you need to replace the chain rings.

How long does a MTB chain ring last?

How Long do MTB Chainrings Last? A mountain bike chainring will last on average from 1,500 miles up to 10,000 miles and beyond. The number will vary based on the weather conditions a bike is exposed to. Frequent riding in wet and muddy conditions results in more wear on the chainring.

How many miles does a chain ring last?

Lighter cyclists riding on clean, dry roads might expect 2,000 – 3,000 miles with poor maintenance and up to 5,000 miles with a daily high-quality lubrication. Zinn also says that he gets almost infinite life out of his chainrings and cogs! He said that in the section on checking for chain elongation.

Do I need to change chain when changing chainring?

If you ring changes by 2 teeth, the chain only sees a 1 tooth difference. You can only change the chain in 2 tooth increments and almost always you can change a ring by 2 teeth and not need to change the chain length. Of course you should always check.

How do I know if my chain ring is worn?

“Rough/noisy running is the best way to tell if a chainring needs replacing,” says Chris Mckenney of SRAM. “Unless a chainring is well beyond its service life it is very difficult to see this visually; chainring teeth slowly take on the shape of a shark’s fin in use.

Do chainrings wear out?

Changing chainrings



It generally takes a while for chainrings to wear out. I’ve had some run for more than 25,000 km on a road bike. If you notice the front shifting becomes less than optimal after replacing your chain (and assuming the front derailleur is tuned), then have a closer look at the teeth on the chainrings.

How often should you change bottom bracket?

Every three months or so I’ll take the cranks out and if it’s a threaded bb, I’ll remove the bb and do the full service. Around the three month mark is normally enough time, even in the best conditions for dirt to work its way into the small gaps and contact points around the crankset and bottom bracket area.

How many miles should a bike chain last?

2,000 to 3,000 miles

Replacing your chain regularly can prolong the life of your drivetrain. Most mechanics agree that you should replace your chain about every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, depending on your riding style.

How long should a mountain bike cassette last?

How Long Does MTB Cassette Last? Usually, an MTB cassette lasts between 3 to 5 chain changes if it’s properly maintained and the chain is changed in time but if you change the chain long after the recommended percentage you may need to change the cassette after the second time you change the chain.

When should I replace my MTB cassette?

But the most important reason is wear. When the individual teeth become pointy like a shark’s and the gears begin slipping, it’s time to replace the cassette. Most bike mechanics recommend replacing the cassette after 4,000 to 6,000 miles.

Do I need to change chain when changing cassette?

Most chain manufacturers recommend that their chains are replaced when they have elongated by 0.75%. Because the chain wears slightly faster than the cassette, this is the point where you can usually just replace the chain (and not the cassette) if both were new to start with.

How much is a bike chain replacement?

How much does a bike chain cost to replace? Entry level chains can start off around $15.00 with more expensive and higher performance chains ranging from $25.00 to $60.00 or more. More expensive chains increase shift quality and are generally more durable as they wear.

What is a chain ring on a bike?

Chainrings are literally a vital cog in the machine that is your bike. They’re the part responsible for transmitting the energy you create by turning the cranks to the rear wheel via the chain. Here’s all you need to know about them.

How do you replace a chainring?

Quote from video: When replacing the chain rings make sure that any writing on the smaller ring is facing in toward the bottom bracket. Then find this tab. And position it behind the crank arm.

Why does my chain keep skipping?

When and How to Replace your MTB Chainring | CRC |

Should I replace chain cassette?

Those are important measurements. Most chain manufacturers recommend that their chains are replaced when they have elongated by 0.75%. Because the chain wears slightly faster than the cassette, this is the point where you can usually just replace the chain (and not the cassette) if both were new to start with.

What is a chain ring on a bike?

Chainrings are literally a vital cog in the machine that is your bike. They’re the part responsible for transmitting the energy you create by turning the cranks to the rear wheel via the chain. Here’s all you need to know about them.

How long 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.

How do you replace chainrings?

Quote from video: When replacing the chain rings make sure that any writing on the smaller ring is facing in toward the bottom bracket. Then find this tab. And position it behind the crank arm.

How often should you replace chainrings?

In theory, a clean chainring/chain/cassette that sees no road grit and is lubricated constantly should last virtually indefinitely (for most intents and purposes). Also, changing your chain on time will save you many cassettes as well as chainrings. Just keep an eye on the chain’s wear and replace it when needed.

How do you change chainrings on a mountain bike?

Quote from video: Sitting the splines on this lock ring. This is where it is quite hard because you're not attached to anything so to get the force through. And you just push it away from you like that and loosen.