XC rear sprocket - I need a new one, best option?

[Wreford Miles]

I'm not to sure about this chain & sprocket stuff.

The XC has done 4000 miles and the rear sprocket is looking quite worn, the chain seems OK (I'm assuming that because I've not really needed to adjust it ) (Acctually that just means I've not adjusted it, it could need doing)

What's the best option?

Keep the same chain and front sprocket (which is standard) and buy a standard or steel rear

Change the lot and fit a 13 or 14 front, and if so who should I buy it from

Thank you

 

[Losttheplot]

I'm not to sure about this chain & sprocket stuff.

The XC has done 4000 miles and the rear sprocket is looking quite worn, the chain seems OK (I'm assuming that because I've not really needed to adjust it ) (Acctually that just means I've not adjusted it, it could need doing)

What's the best option?

Keep the same chain and front sprocket (which is standard) and buy a standard or steel rear

Change the lot and fit a 13 or 14 front, and if so who should I buy it from

Thank you

The best indicator is normally the front sprocket. As it wears the teeth will start to look "hooked". You will also find the the chain won't sit snuggly on the rear sprocket -if you can pull the chain off the back of the sprocket by a significant amount then the chances are it has stretched.

I don't think i've have more than 3000 miles out of a chain and sprockets- but then my bike does spent most of it's life in the shit. (a bit like it's owner maybe )

I use talon in yeovil for sprockets. a steel rear is about £26, and a front around £7 before VAT.

Chains? greg masters has a load that he sells off. Not sure if i would get exactly the same mileage as a branded chain, but for the price i'm not to bothered

 

[frostyuk]

Hi wreford glad to see you giving that xc some tlc, does this mean it will see the light of day again soon?

like nathan mine spends most of its time in the muck ...

I get about 1500 miles out of a front, talon or stephans, stephans seem to last slightly longer but no at lot in it, i use a 14t. Just replaced a steel rear sprocket i got from bmw which had some sign of wear after about 5000 miles, the original needed replacing when i got the bike at about 3500. Replaced the rear with one of these:



but you're looking at 100 quid for one of these, walter uses one and had over 20000km s on it and was still good so i thought i'd give it a try in a moment of rashness!

Chains i just put one of gregs chains on as well, so have used two chains in the last 5000 mils or so, the last one was an rk exw from stephan a top quality job but still only got about 2500 from it before a couple of links had siezed ( and thats with cleaning and lubing after most rides). I've been recommended a did vmz2 as the highest tensile strength and longest wear chain and they come in around 110 from what i've seen.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Blimey best check mine!

6100 miles & over 4 years old - still on the originals from new

 

[Wreford Miles]

Thank you all... I'll shall pop down the lock up and investigate!

I think my chain is OK so on that (to be teted assumption) it looks like I'll just need to change the rear sprocket and keep the chain for a while longer.

 

[rossi]

Blimey best check mine!

6100 miles & over 4 years old - still on the originals from new

No reason for a chain not last that long - if it is used on road and kept properly lubed that would seem reasonable. If you regularly ride dirt I want to know your secret.

 

[Losttheplot]

Thank you all... I'll shall pop down the lock up and investigate!

I think my chain is OK so on that (to be teted assumption) it looks like I'll just need to change the rear sprocket and keep the chain for a while longer.

If your rear sprocket is shot it will be due to your chain stretching.

As the chain gets longer (through wear) it starts to "point load" the teeth (basically one tooth does all the work at any one time)- instead of spreading the load over several teeth.

This accounts for accelerated wear. IMHO No point fitting a new sprocket and running an old chain- your sprocket will just wear much much faster...

 

[Timpo]

Start fresh, you know it's all sound then.
Front sprocket from Talon, various sizes available. Very cheap.
AFAM rear steel sprocket and Tsubaki o-ring chain, all available from Demon Tweeks mail order.

 

[rossi]

I use a 49 tooth rear sprocket with standard size front. Lowers the gearing a touch, and better to increase the rear than drop a tooth off the front to achieve this.

Stephan has 49 rears

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

No reason for a chain not last that long - if it is used on road and kept properly lubed that would seem reasonable. If you regularly ride dirt I want to know your secret.

Well, you forced me to have a look and take a few pics - just to make sure

6210 miles, original C&S (Front is a Talon 14t), fitted when bike was 500 miles old) and about 50% (or more) has been offroad

I think the secret (for me) is to keep it clean (the bike) and when washing it I make sure the chain is cleaned, with a pressure washer

After washing. I lube with WD40 and then before I ride the bike ( I know you commute on yours), usually the night before I use a good quality chain lube (Polo.de from Germany or PJI Blue)

 

[Mr K]

Well, you forced me to have a look and take a few pics - just to make sure

6210 miles, original C&S (Front is a Talon 14t), fitted when bike was 500 miles old) and about 50% (or more) has been offroad

I think the secret (for me) is to keep it clean (the bike) and when washing it I make sure the chain is cleaned, with a pressure washer

After washing. I lube with WD40 and then before I ride the bike ( I know you commute on yours), usually the night before I use a good quality chain lube (Polo.de from Germany or PJI Blue)

Both your sprockets look like they're starting to hook to me.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Both your sprockets look like they're starting to hook to me.

Maybe just the camera angle, but they'll probably need replcing in the next 1-2000 miles I expect