[kuksul08]

I have a 32T chain ring and I dont know if putting on a 34 will make a difference, since I find myself trying to upshift sometimes when already in top gear.

Part of it is because my chain ring makes a terrible creaking noise, and no matter how much grease I put it doesn't fully get quiet. I'm thinking a new ring might be different...idk for sure.

Also will it wreck my chain to put on a new 34t chainring on? The chain has a few hundred miles btw

 

[Wumpus]

Chains are cheap.


But if you want to try, I would measure it with a chain checker or a ruler:

Measuring Chain Wear
The standard way to measure chain wear is with a ruler or steel tape measure. This can be done without removing the chain from the bicycle. The normal technique is to measure a one-foot length, placing an inch mark of the ruler exactly in the middle of one rivet, then looking at the corresponding rivet 12 complete links away. On a new, unworn chain, this rivet will also line up exactly with an inch mark. With a worn chain, the rivet will be past the inch mark.
This gives a direct measurement of the wear to the chain, and an indirect measurement of the wear to the sprockets:


If the rivet is less than 1/16" past the mark, all is well.

If the rivet is 1/16" past the mark, you should replace the chain, but the sprockets are probably undamaged.

If the rivet is 1/8" past the mark, you have left it too long, and the sprockets (at least the favorite ones) will be too badly worn. If you replace a chain at the 1/8" point, without replacing the sprockets, it may run OK and not skip, but the worn sprockets will cause the new chain to wear much faster than it should, until it catches up with the wear state of the sprockets.

If the rivet is past the 1/8" mark, a new chain will almost certainly skip on the worn sprockets, especially the smaller ones

 

[kuksul08]

Chains are cheap.


But if you want to try, I would measure it with a chain checker or a ruler:

Ahh sweet thanks, I just checked it and it has a 1/16" stretch.

 

[caputo1989]

You need a new chain. An old chain will put more wear on the new ring.
Rules for Drive train care.
1. lube and check the chain periodicly. Get the Rolhof sp? tool.
2. Cassetes only last 2-3 chains
3. get a new chain whenever you buy a new cassette and or chainrings.
4. keep it clean.

 

[recycle127]

I have a 32T chain ring and I dont know if putting on a 34 will make a difference, since I find myself trying to upshift sometimes when already in top gear.

Part of it is because my chain ring makes a terrible creaking noise, and no matter how much grease I put it doesn't fully get quiet. I'm thinking a new ring might be different...idk for sure.

Also will it wreck my chain to put on a new 34t chainring on? The chain has a few hundred miles btw

Chains don't normally make creaking noises they make squeaking noises. Check your bottom bracket, chain ring bolts, or your seat post clamp for creaks. May need tightening or lube.

 

[kuksul08]

Chains don't normally make creaking noises they make squeaking noises. Check your bottom bracket, chain ring bolts, or your seat post clamp for creaks. May need tightening or lube.

I checked everything and it is a combination of the chain ring bolts and the crank/spindle interface. I will lube them, then 2 rides later I will hear the creaking once again I have always used grease, but this last time I tried antisieze, we'll see how it does.