How To Check Your Chain
As you ride your chain will wear and begin to 'stretch', so it's important to check your chain regularly as this wear will affect how your bike performs. If your chain gets too worn you will need to replace your cassette as well as the chain, therefore costing more. The more you ride, the more frequent your chain will wear out.
Tools you will need:
You will only need a Chain Wear Indicator, similar to this Park Tool CC-4. This is the easiest and most accurate way to measure your chain.
10.0%-0.5% worn:
If your chain is under 0.5% worn, then it doesn't need changing and you can continue to ride your bike.
20.5%-0.75% worn:
If your chain wear is between 0.5% and 0.75% worn, then your chain needs replacing. Changing your chain now will mean you only need to replace the chain and not the cassette as well. If your chain is replaced in time, you can usually run 2-3 chains per cassette.
3Above 0.75% worn:
If your chain is over 0.75% worn, you must replace both your chain and cassette. This is because the chain would have unevenly worn the cassette.
Note: Fitting a new chain on an old worn cassette will cause the chain to jump and skip.
