Thats a lot of work, I would be changing my chain every 2 weeks...
It's a few minutes work with a power link(change them to a new one every few times too). Easier than working to pay for new chain, cassette, and chain ring more often, and having to install them. Try it and see. Every 20 rides would probably do.
What he said^.
Not to be a d!ck, but I don't see how this will help. Each chain will last for the same number of rides/miles you just end up doing more work.
Agreed
Less chain wear or "stretch" (technically it's wear on the pivots / links and not stretch) means less wear on the cassette and chainring. So it's not the lifespan of the chain you're extending, but the other parts - for example things like dura-ace cassettes and e13 chainrings aren't particularly cheap for those running them, so it's worth extending their lifespan.
I like KMC but I run their cheaper chains.Just pick one up for my new bike. $35 brand new off ebay.
Yeah, that's the idea. A worn cassette is not only more expensive and performs less well, but it will wear out a new chain much faster- just like a super old chain can really wear out a new cassette. When one part is really worn, the others will probably start to wear faster as well. But, yeah, it does seem excessive to me. Most people probably don't replace their chains often enough, though (which is more expensive in the long run).
What about all the bikes with chain growth or built in anti squat induced by chain tension? Pretty sure they'd take their toll on a chain. It's not just wear from load, chins don't actually stretch, the rollers wear. Grit causes this also.
I don't know if there's any data on this, but I doubt that suspension interaction is a huge factor here. The tension on a chain from chain growth has got to be many times less than hard pedaling. Yuroshek brings up a good point. The amount of pedaling on a Dh bike is so much smaller than on a road or XC bike, where a well-maintained chain can last for quite a while.
You don't think going off a drop with the riders weight evenly on both pedals, and the chain resisting rear wheel movement has any effect on it? Do you think the stretch just comes from chain movement/drive usage? Not debating here, quite possibly your right. I'd have thought that much load would wear all the wearing parts of a chain, but perhaps they don't as much as loaded cycling of the chain.
Yes correct, they do stretch, well not the metal but the whole form. The pins and contact points of the links wear out, making the chain longer.
I understand the concept of chain and drivetrain wear (I'm actually pretty neurotic about monitoring chain elongation due to seeing many wrecked drivetrains in my time as a wrench). Switching chains back and forth will have no effect on this. You don't hear anyone advocating having two sets of brake pads and swapping them in and out to extend life. Just run one pair until it wears out then get some new ones.
Chains wear quicker than cassettes, the more worn the chain, the quicker the cassette wear. By swapping chains your slowing the cassette wear. Your also not then putting a new chain(if you change it quick enough as UDI stated)on a half worn cassette causing wear on the new chain(possibly a negligible effect, but for arguments sake).
To each his own I guess. I avoid excessive cassette wear by replacing chains well before they reach .75. If a cassette is so worn that a new chain skips on it then it is time for a replacement.
Yeah man, do what you want, I was just explaining why I do it. I'm actually doing 3 chains, just tried making it seem simpler. Guessing you might be able to squeeze 4.
