Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Measuring Chain stretch
#1
My bike repair shop says that chain stretch should be measured with the chain under 'medium' tension.
I'm not sure how you would do this using the '12-inch ruler' method described in the video on this site. Does the chain need to be under tension when measuring?
My gut tells me the bike shop may be saying this to simulate the chain under stress/in heavy use, but their methods are leading me to a LOT of chain/cassette replacements in the last year. I do ride every day, in all kinds of weather (rain, sun, etc), but I clean and lube the chain each month. (I ride about 5K per year).
thanks.

  Reply
#2
The chain needs to be held tight enough that each joint is held solid and straight, but not under any load. I just push lightly with my hand on a pedal while I'm measuring. If there's no tension on it, each link could have a slight bend which would mess up your reading. But chains don't "stretch", so I don't think you'd get a different reading under light or heavy tension.
I usually let the chain go a little longer than the normal recommendation, but I also change chain and cassette at the same time routinely. I'm probably putting more wear on my front chainrings, but it hasn't been a problem. Changing chain and cassette more than twice a year seems a little excessive. But it does vary a lot by how much you ride, conditions, how forceful you are, etc.

  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
15,636
02-24-2017, 02:15 AM
Last Post: LorindaCollins
 
12,007
12-27-2010, 09:49 AM
Last Post: bobtravers
 
13,925
04-07-2009, 08:15 PM
Last Post: DaveM

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
New rider — happy to be here
Today 05:02 PM
Pros and cons of hydraulic brakes
Today 12:00 PM
Best bike for tall and big rider
Today 04:22 AM
Pros & Cons of presta valve vs schrader ...
Today 01:12 AM
Continued learnings from bikepacking
Yesterday 09:23 PM
Tour de FRANCE 2025
Yesterday 11:08 AM
Braking: What is your GoTo braking metho...
Yesterday 08:00 AM
Injury Recovery
07-14-2025 03:29 PM
Biking with helmet laws
07-14-2025 10:10 AM
The great thing about trikes
07-14-2025 10:04 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
29 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
20 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
19 posts
no avatar 4. enkei
15 posts
no avatar 5. Jesper
14 posts