I finally stopped chasing chain stretch numbers and started measuring pin wear

Used to replace chains at 0.5% stretch on the gauge every time. Did that for years in my shop in Austin. Then a regular brought in a bike with a trashed cassette at 0.4% and a chain that looked fine. Turned out the pins were worn uneven from bad shifting habits. Now I pull the chain off and check pin play by hand, plus measure stretch. Caught a failing chain at 0.3% last month that would have wrecked a $120 cassette. Anyone else use the hand test or am I just paranoid?

2 comments

2 Comments

oliverhernandez1mo ago

My nephew tried that hand test on his chain once and ended up with grease all over his favorite shirt, but he still swears by it now. I just check stretch and swap the cassette when I swap the chain, keeps things simple.

kim.jake1mo ago

Wait, he actually puts his whole hand on the chain? That's wild, I'd be scared of losing a finger. @oliverhernandez, your nephew's got some serious trust in that drivetrain, but I guess it works if he's still alive to swear by it.