Agreed. One consequence of wear is a higher bending of the chain. This results in poor shifting. In my experience this is more convincing to many to exchange their chain.
For a new person into MTB this was the best easiest explanation than other videos and straight to the point . Other videos took 3-4 min before they start to explain shit
Long ago, when I was putting a lot of miles on '70s era motorcycles, I bought bulk chain from the local farm supply. My friends kept telling me it was somehow inferior to what they got from the dealer. The thing is, while I was wearing out four $7 chains, they were wearing out two $30 chains and a $150 set of sprockets. They were slow to replace that expensive chain when it started to get worn.
Great video. Also important to note that those moving contact area's are where the lube is needed most. So many people tend to think like they need to be "painting the plates", but its the contact points that count.
that's a good explanation, and the wood mock-up may help correct those who might believe chain stretch is the steel stretching under stress or repeated use. however, i would clarify that serious hill climbing is going to cause chain 'stretch' much more rapidly than normal riding. this is because friction at the wear points you've shown us increases with pressure. so i would say the factors that affect chain wear are 1) cleanliness, 2) lube, 3) riding style, and 4) metallurgy of the chain material
Wow! RJ you have moved to new level here. You made props! This is some Alton Brown level action of explanation. Hands down the best video on chain stretch on UA-cam!
Brilliant. I’ve never gone through the theory behind chain-wear tools. Didn’t even know what the tool is supposed to measure. But this is a video à la RJ The Bike Guy: so clear, no fancy talking, sales talk. And the mockup: an image says more than a 1000 words. Thanks RJ! 👍
I love it! I built the same sort of visual aid for my mechanics class two years ago. You put a lot more work into your wooden example--mine is just coroplast 'plates' and a binding post.
Excellent visual aid. Also very relevant to motorcycle chains, where it's easier/more comfortable to believe your 200hp superbike is stretching the chain, than that your lack of maintenance is sending it to an early grave.
I appreciate the effort and time needed to build those plywood oversized chain links. A drawing could have worked but no you went the extra mile, thank you for that.
For chains to actually stretch, the tension in the chain would have to exceed the yield strength of the steel. One could calculate this, but there is an easier observation that demonstrates it is not happening. Steel that is repeatedly taken past its yield strength, particularly if their is any corrosive environment involved, will eventually develop stress fractures and fail. Chain “stretch” is common, but outright chain failure is rare. If chains were actually stretching, we should have frequent reports of heavier, stronger riders snapping chains, particularly those that use the lightest weight chains, in the lowest gears, pushing up the steepest hills in seaside or wet climates.
RJ that’s the way you explain chain wear.I watched even though I already knew but always enjoy your videos you always go that extra mile like with the mock up.
I’m glad to see you getting your hands dirty. Most UA-cam mechanics wear rubber gloves to keep their delicate hands clean. Thanks RJ for keeping it real and very informative.
Thank you so much for this video. I have just bought myself an e-bike and I want to work on it myself and this video has answered my question about how chains stretch.
Thank you for explaining this so well, I just measured my chain on my road bike from target that I've put quite a few thousand miles on in almost a decade of riding. You'll be happy to know it is only an ⅛ of an inch per foot stretched on the original chain. Might be time for a new one.
Great explanation of chain "stretch" one thing that should be mentioned because so many people fall foul of this: *ALL 11 speed and over systems no matter how many chainrings and all very wide range MTB 1x systems (11-48+)* MUST have the chain replaced at 0.5% if you go to 0.75 on these systems you might as well replace the cassette at the same time. Systems with a cassette of 10 cogs or less and low range 1x systems are fine to 0.75 and the cassette is ruined at 1%.
@@MrFitness94 Yeah, not only does fewer gears/smaller range mean your chain can take more wear before it needs replacing, it will take way longer to reach that point. Also what can happen with older systems is that the whole drivetrain kind of wears in unison and continues to work even when it has gone past even the 1% mark. The only trade off is you might find when the chain does eventually fail you will have to replace the rest of the drivetrain because the teeth profiles on your cassette/freewheel chainrings and even jockey wheels are no longer a match for any new chain in existence LOL.
Way to go, RJ !!! As usual, a "picture" (or model) is worth a thousand words. So, if someone asks me how a chain can "stretch", I'll just refer him to your vid.
Great video. With the cost of labor and parts it is much much cheaper to replace a worn chain than replacing the chainring(s) and cassettes. I have found that spending more for a better chain (I use the higher grade with chromed plates and better rollers and pins) is well worth the extra cost because they seem to collect much less dirt and grit and seem to clean easier.
I can’t really see how the better chain can collect less dirt - unless it has a Klingon cloaking device that repels muck. But the quality of the components within it obviously affect how much wear takes place in use. Imagine a chain made from aluminium - wouldn’t last very long.
@@MarquitoRHMy guess is that the Chromed plates on my chains (and some chains are plated throughout) resist corrosion which puts tiny pits in the metal that hold dust and grit. When I wipe down the chain it seems to get much cleaner than regular non plated chains and leaves more dirt and lubricant on the rag which means that there is less dirt grinding away as I ride. There may also be a different electron charge that is not as electrostatic when plated. I can't claim to know all the science but it works for me.
Great explanation, RJ. I approve, as a long time bike wrench myself. I think you could've easily expanded this subject to the entire drive train, being that they interact so closely and how chain stretch effects other components too. Well done!
I was one of those folks that thought I was putting down so much power I was stretching the chain. This video corrected by delusions of grandeur. Thanks for dragging me back to planet earth. Seriously….great video. I especially liked the visual you made. GCN would of simply made a fancy graphic, but I prefer the practical effects.
Great visual explanation! I’m always describing this to people in the hopes they keep their chains cleaned and lubed. Will refer them to this as well 👍
Love your widgets and home tool fabrication. You are every person's bike answer. P.s. I miss noting inventory of your background of Mt. Dew and Fresca while doing a rebuild in your sweatpants and house slippers, but I understand (winter in ny is REAL).
Great video on the explanation of chain "wear". I would add that if a chain has extreme wear and is replaced with a new one, chances are the freewheel or cassette should be replaced at the same time or you'll get chain skipping especially on the smaller cogs where there is less wrap around on the cogs. Some people falsely claim that new shift and brake cables "stretch" that is wrong, what happens is cables have to seat and compress the housing several times which sometimes requires you to adjust the cable anchor clamp bolt until it stops. Take care!
For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
Lots of people have tried to explain what chain stretch is. This is by FAR the best explanation I've seen. Thanks RJ!
Legs definitely do not have the kind of power it takes to actually stretch steel, even mild steel.
Agreed. One consequence of wear is a higher bending of the chain. This results in poor shifting. In my experience this is more convincing to many to exchange their chain.
For a new person into MTB this was the best easiest explanation than other videos and straight to the point . Other videos took 3-4 min before they start to explain shit
That was a great explanation. I knew about chain stretch for years, only as a term. Very educational. Thank you RJ!
Long ago, when I was putting a lot of miles on '70s era motorcycles, I bought bulk chain from the local farm supply. My friends kept telling me it was somehow inferior to what they got from the dealer. The thing is, while I was wearing out four $7 chains, they were wearing out two $30 chains and a $150 set of sprockets. They were slow to replace that expensive chain when it started to get worn.
Great illustration! Thanks RJ.
Great video. Also important to note that those moving contact area's are where the lube is needed most. So many people tend to think like they need to be "painting the plates", but its the contact points that count.
Great depiction! As they say, you know you understand something fully when you can explain it so a 5 year old can understand.
Fantastic explanation! Great job.
Wow - that's the best explanation I've ever seen. Love the wooden mock up example to show what's really happening.
There is also a small amount of wear on the rollers from meshing with the gears. But this is the pefect explanation for what people call "stretch"
Very true. You can even see this if you have cleaned a worn out chain. The rollers are not round any more.
that's a good explanation, and the wood mock-up may help correct those who might believe chain stretch is the steel stretching under stress or repeated use. however, i would clarify that serious hill climbing is going to cause chain 'stretch' much more rapidly than normal riding. this is because friction at the wear points you've shown us increases with pressure. so i would say the factors that affect chain wear are 1) cleanliness, 2) lube, 3) riding style, and 4) metallurgy of the chain material
Wow! RJ you have moved to new level here. You made props! This is some Alton Brown level action of explanation. Hands down the best video on chain stretch on UA-cam!
Brilliant. I’ve never gone through the theory behind chain-wear tools. Didn’t even know what the tool is supposed to measure. But this is a video à la RJ The Bike Guy: so clear, no fancy talking, sales talk. And the mockup: an image says more than a 1000 words. Thanks RJ! 👍
This is a great illustration of why you have to keep your chain clean and lubed. Thanks, RJ!
I love it! I built the same sort of visual aid for my mechanics class two years ago. You put a lot more work into your wooden example--mine is just coroplast 'plates' and a binding post.
I had scrap wood and a scroll saw. And a drill press, and arbor bits. I actually have a lot of non-bike tools too. :D
Beautiful demonstration!
I actually have one chain with wear so bad like demonstrated here. The casette on one ring is already badly damaged.
Very informative and great use of a mock up. Thank you Bike Guy.
Excellent visual aid.
Also very relevant to motorcycle chains, where it's easier/more comfortable to believe your 200hp superbike is stretching the chain, than that your lack of maintenance is sending it to an early grave.
Best teacher ever ! Watching you since 3 or 4 years, sir. :)
I appreciate the effort and time needed to build those plywood oversized chain links. A drawing could have worked but no you went the extra mile, thank you for that.
Well explained and demonstrated
That explains a lot! I was arguing with a friend that there is no way it can actually "stretch" , but he was adamant that the term is correct. :)
For chains to actually stretch, the tension in the chain would have to exceed the yield strength of the steel. One could calculate this, but there is an easier observation that demonstrates it is not happening. Steel that is repeatedly taken past its yield strength, particularly if their is any corrosive environment involved, will eventually develop stress fractures and fail. Chain “stretch” is common, but outright chain failure is rare. If chains were actually stretching, we should have frequent reports of heavier, stronger riders snapping chains, particularly those that use the lightest weight chains, in the lowest gears, pushing up the steepest hills in seaside or wet climates.
@@markholm7050 stop showing off
Maybe he was just "pulling your leg?" Enjoy. Tip your wait staff. G'nite ladies and gents.
@@markholm7050 "Riveting" story.
It’s called Chain "Stretch" but this isn't the best nomenclature which causes confusion. Chain wear is a more accurate description
RJ that’s the way you explain chain wear.I watched even though I already knew but always enjoy your videos you always go that extra mile like with the mock up.
I’m glad to see you getting your hands dirty. Most UA-cam mechanics wear rubber gloves to keep their delicate hands clean. Thanks RJ for keeping it real and very informative.
Thank you so much for this video. I have just bought myself an e-bike and I want to work on it myself and this video has answered my question about how chains stretch.
Just fantastic, sublime , RJ is simply the best in his game 🙏
You are one of the best bicycle mechanics I have seen on UA-cam. Maybe you are busy, but keep it up, Bro.
"Easy Lance Armstrong" - LMAO!
Yet, another smashing presentation and educational video of its terminology. Good stuff RJ, thanks again.
Thank you for explaining this so well, I just measured my chain on my road bike from target that I've put quite a few thousand miles on in almost a decade of riding. You'll be happy to know it is only an ⅛ of an inch per foot stretched on the original chain. Might be time for a new one.
I agree with Joel, by far the best video explaining chain stretch thank you
Great explanation of chain "stretch" one thing that should be mentioned because so many people fall foul of this: *ALL 11 speed and over systems no matter how many chainrings and all very wide range MTB 1x systems (11-48+)* MUST have the chain replaced at 0.5% if you go to 0.75 on these systems you might as well replace the cassette at the same time.
Systems with a cassette of 10 cogs or less and low range 1x systems are fine to 0.75 and the cassette is ruined at 1%.
Ahh so that’s why my 10 year old chain works fine on my 3x7
@@MrFitness94 Yeah, not only does fewer gears/smaller range mean your chain can take more wear before it needs replacing, it will take way longer to reach that point. Also what can happen with older systems is that the whole drivetrain kind of wears in unison and continues to work even when it has gone past even the 1% mark. The only trade off is you might find when the chain does eventually fail you will have to replace the rest of the drivetrain because the teeth profiles on your cassette/freewheel chainrings and even jockey wheels are no longer a match for any new chain in existence LOL.
@@chris1275cc i can believe it. The whole drivetrain is probably cooked but it works amazing.
Great description and visual of the topic!👍🏻
I never go anywhere else for help always easy to understand thank you.
Thanks for posting this. Very good demo and very informative. Love your woodshop example!
Marvellous video demonstration and mock up model! Thanks RJ.
Excellent explanation, the best I've seen so far.
Great explanation. You’re use of teaching aids was excellent Very clear and concise. Good job! Thanks!
Great explanation and demonstration!
Great idea with the wooden links!
Also great explanation why a worn chain damages the sprockets.
Great visual aid, clarifies stretch easily
Perfect explanation
I'm always learning stuff from this channel. Thanks RJ.
This is the best explanation I’ve found so far! Very helpful
What a great way to show and explain!
thank you for the mock-up! it explains the issue very clearly!
Excellent explanation, as always
Well done , best video ever on the chain stretch , enjoy the effects you put in . 👍🏾👍🏾
Great explanation on chain wear. Thank you.
Brilliance! Well done, sir.
A brilliant explanation.
Excellent explanation RJ. Thanks!
The easiets way to explain I could imagine! thank you!
Nice job RJ.
Thank you for the explanation🔧🔧🔧
Way to go, RJ !!! As usual, a "picture" (or model) is worth a thousand words. So, if someone asks me how a chain can "stretch", I'll just refer him to your vid.
Awesome video RJ! A good guide for us mere casual riders and makes me appreciate bike maintenance (and cleaning) more. Cheers!
Great video. With the cost of labor and parts it is much much cheaper to replace a worn chain than replacing the chainring(s) and cassettes. I have found that spending more for a better chain (I use the higher grade with chromed plates and better rollers and pins) is well worth the extra cost because they seem to collect much less dirt and grit and seem to clean easier.
I can’t really see how the better chain can collect less dirt - unless it has a Klingon cloaking device that repels muck. But the quality of the components within it obviously affect how much wear takes place in use. Imagine a chain made from aluminium - wouldn’t last very long.
@@MarquitoRHMy guess is that the Chromed plates on my chains (and some chains are plated throughout) resist corrosion which puts tiny pits in the metal that hold dust and grit. When I wipe down the chain it seems to get much cleaner than regular non plated chains and leaves more dirt and lubricant on the rag which means that there is less dirt grinding away as I ride. There may also be a different electron charge that is not as electrostatic when plated. I can't claim to know all the science but it works for me.
Never have I clicked on a video faster. Another masterpiece 👍
Great illustration of chain “stretch”.
Great explanation, RJ. I approve, as a long time bike wrench myself.
I think you could've easily expanded this subject to the entire drive train, being that they interact so closely and how chain stretch effects other components too.
Well done!
Excellent! Until now I wasn't aware of the 1/2" distance between each link. Thanks.
I was one of those folks that thought I was putting down so much power I was stretching the chain. This video corrected by delusions of grandeur. Thanks for dragging me back to planet earth.
Seriously….great video. I especially liked the visual you made. GCN would of simply made a fancy graphic, but I prefer the practical effects.
Nice explanation and having the large chain model was a great idea. It's too bad people started calling it chain stretch to begin with... a misnomer!
Very nicely explained! Thank you 👍🏼
Best explanation ever. Thank you
Best explanation on chain wear. Thanks for the effort!
Great visual explanation! I’m always describing this to people in the hopes they keep their chains cleaned and lubed. Will refer them to this as well 👍
Nice explanation ...great hand-made model!
Excellent explanation of a worn chain
Awesome explanation RJ!
No wonder my chains wear out faster in the winter when the roads are wet and muddy. Great explanation.
Love your widgets and home tool fabrication. You are every person's bike answer.
P.s. I miss noting inventory of your background of Mt. Dew and Fresca while doing a rebuild in your sweatpants and house slippers, but I understand (winter in ny is REAL).
A great explanation. Thank you!
this is by far the best explanation out there. thanks for schooling me.
Best explanation ever!
great visual explanation of chain stretch, rj!
Very good explanation!
Great video!!! Thank u. Simple but very well explained.
Thanks for this very informative video, does it also happens on motorcycle chains?
Great video on the explanation of chain "wear". I would add that if a chain has extreme wear and is replaced with a new one, chances are the freewheel or cassette should be replaced at the same time or you'll get chain skipping especially on the smaller cogs where there is less wrap around on the cogs.
Some people falsely claim that new shift and brake cables "stretch" that is wrong, what happens is cables have to seat and compress the housing several times which sometimes requires you to adjust the cable anchor clamp bolt until it stops. Take care!
Thanks Regular Guy J the bike guy for all the great video's
Great explanation, thanks!!
Thank you very much for that video. You explained it very very well. I love the chain model you made.
Thanks a lot sir, this is very important, and now I know why I'm did those maintenance
Thanks, that was a very good explanation and illustration. 💯
Good job. You nailed it. Thanks for the video.....
nice explanation. Thank you
Thank you for the information have a great 2022.
Very great explanation and demonstration, thanks. Have a nice day.
Best explanation !
I really appreciate the effort you put in to make this video, very helpful!
Great demo!
Superb explanation
Excellent explanation! Thank you
Excellent video and explanation.
Hello Sir Rj, Your Explanation it's so Great, very informatted.Thank you.
great video, great explanation!
Nice to see ya back the bike guy.
Love the mock up. Great vid!