Tech Tip: Sprockets and Chains

[MX588]

This week we will talk about one of the most overlooked parts on a bike. Sprockets and Chains are not bulletproof and will not last forever, the just don't show wear like lets say a tire...so people often overlook the sprockets and chain. Well the teeth on the sprocket wear out, and the chain stretches and becomes too flexible to function and then it either falls off or your chain will snap because it will jump off the sprocket. If you take your chain off you can inspect the sprockets...if there are teeth missing...replace
if the teeth are really warn down....replace
bunch your chain up into like 3 lines and hold one end and if the rest droops down..you need a new chain
you should always replace the sprockets and chain together because they wear together, you can extend the life of your chain by cleaning it good periodically, and spray it with lube every ride. Thats it for this weeks tech tip, next week we will talk about tires.

[shakes_nig_rig]

chans droop a litle bit even when new but if its like over 2 inches of droop per foot thats defintly in need of replacement.

[MX588]

yeah you can get away with using the chain adjuster...but only for awhile, then you can cheat and take out a link, or just get a new chain...if you just take out a link...your pressing the lifespan of the chain dangerously far because it is way more prone to snap then.

[shakes_nig_rig]

we have only had one chain snap on us that was fast moving like a drive chain on a dirt bike; and that was a duble sproket wide chain the runs a blower on the sheller. that chain flew about 50 yards out thrugh a steal plate. othere whise we have had slow chains snap (they only move about 10 foot a min) all the other chains we have cought befor they snaped by the method above of testing.