Does climbing put extra stress on the chain, making it stretch out faster / higher break risk?

Asked by: Lori Evans

The amount of force you put on the chain makes it stretch faster and have a higher risk of braking. Climbing can sometimes mean more force, but it doesn’t have to.

What causes chain to stretch?

Chain wear is commonly referred to as ‘chain stretch’, because the chain’s pitch grows in length as it wears. This is the most important type of chain wear, and the growth comes from the bushings wearing with the chain pins. Overtime, the inner diameter of these bushings increase and the pins groove out.

What causes bike chain to break?

Chains, like anything else on your bike, can be damaged if it gets hit hard enough. While not as common, chains can break if they are involved in a rock strike or other impact. Impact damage to chains can be more difficult to repair than if the chain breaks due to wear.

How much can a chain stretch before it rides too high on the sprocket?

The chain should wrap far enough around the sprocket that the return run of the chain can be nearly slack. Common advice is that a chain should wrap at least 1/3 turn around a sprocket.

How long should a bike chain last?

So, how long do bike chains last? In general, a good chain will last 2,000 to 3,000 miles or 3 to 4 years. Chains on mountain bikes and electric bikes will get worn out faster. Many factors can influence chain life, such as conditions, speed, weight, and stress.

How much pressure does it take to break a chain?

As it turns out, the European ISO standard of 8,000 Newtons of minimum breaking force for a chain offers a good margin of security.

How do you stop a chain from breaking?

If the chain isn’t tight enough, it can easily fall off the sprocket, which will cause it to break. To prevent this from happening, make sure to tighten your chain properly.

Do O ring chains stretch?

Technically, the chain doesn’t stretch. Rather, it is considered elongation, where material wears out, and parts of the chain start to operate outside of their original tolerances, ultimately leading to lengthening of the chain assembly.

Does a new chain stretch?

A chain will naturally seem to stretch as you ride, but it should never stretch to more than 2 percent. If you’re experiencing significant stretch with a new chain, contact the manufacturer. However, old chains will begin to see significant stretch.

How many miles should a motorcycle chain last?

If maintained regularly a decent quality motorcycle chain should give you 15,000 to 20,000 miles (24,000 – 32,000 km) of hassle free riding while high end Gold X or O-ring chains will last 20,000 to 30,000 miles (32,000 – 48,000 km).

What grade chain is the strongest?

Grade 100. Next to Grade 120, Grade 100 chain is the strongest type of chain offered by most industrial hardware suppliers. It is 25 percent stronger than Grade 80, making it the best choice for extremely heavy overhead lifting use and other extreme applications.

What is the breaking strength of grade 70 chain?

101,526 psi

The grade as advertised by chain manufacturers is 1/10 of the actual ultimate strength, which means Grade 70 chain has an ultimate breaking strength of 700 N/mm (or 101,526 psi).

What size chain is grade 70?

Size 5/16 in.

Grade 70 Transport Chain, Standard Link, Size 5/16 in., Working Load Limit 4,700 lbs., Part No. 609035. Chain Size: 5/16 in. Inside Length: 1.10 in.

What happens if my bike chain breaks?

You will loose power from your back wheel because the chain is no longer delivering the drive the engine is giving. The engine will still be going, but you will not be able to accelerate. In fact, your motorcycle may start decelerating if you’re not going down a hill at all.

How much does it cost to fix a broken bike chain?

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.

Should you replace a broken bike chain?

Bike Chain Cleaning and Maintenance



A stretched chain expedites wear on your bike’s cassette and chainrings, so it’s a good idea to replace your chain when you notice significant stretch, or every 750 to 1,000 miles. It’s much cheaper to replace a chain than a cassette or chainrings.

What happens if your bike chain snaps?

If your chain has snapped, it’ll be pretty obvious where the broken link is. If it’s just skipping, you’ll need to identify the damaged link. Back-pedal the cranks and when the offending link passes over the rear mech’s jockey wheels the chain will jump.

How often do chains snap?

Most mechanics agree that you should replace your chain about every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, depending on your riding style. Many Tour De France riders wear out two or even three chains on their primary bike over the course of the three-week race.

Can you fix a snapped chain?

To fix a broken or bent chain, you will need to remove it from your bike AND remove the broken or bent links. To do that, you will need a chain breaker tool. In the video, we used the Park Tool Master Chain Tool, which is the best tool for the job.