FAQ

There are different factors which affect chain life in different ways. Chain wear depends on the usage (performance, shifting frequency, chain line), circumstances (terrain, wet, dry, mud, water, salt), riding condition and degree of maintenance. When chain line is off or too much dirt and debris residing on chain, it will quicken chain wear and chain stretch.

Connect chain with proper tool and instruction, or use correct chain connector. Please consult you dealers for chain installation. Avoid gear change during high speed uphill cornering when the bike is heavily slanted sideways to prevent unnecessary sideways impact to the chain.

If you regularly checked your chain and the chain checker now starts to falls through, it indicates that your chain has worn beyond 75%.

In principle, the chain can be used for another 25% of the distance already covered. (E.G. the mileage is 3000, and the chain checker starts to fall through, then replace WITHIN the next 1000 miles)

We recommend you to replace the chain within this distance; this way, you stand a good chance of not having to change your cassette and chain wheels.

Miles of Maintenance

Note: For advanced user or off-road user, perform maintenance every 100 KM. Chart is only for reference. Maintenance varies per user.

When the elongation reaches 1%, it is the time to change your chain.

The easiest way to check chain wear down is when you feel the chain has lost its smooth running and agile shifting function. Put the chain on outer chainring, and lift up the chain from the middle of the ring; if you can lift it more than a half link, the chain or chainring are probably worn. If this is the case, chainrings and cassette sprockets may well also be affected.

KMC has developed a special digital chain wear indicator, the "Digital Chain Checker". This tool allows you to exactly measure the chain's elongation, changing the chain on time (not too early and not too late) prevents excess wear on other drive-train parts, so you can prevent unnecessary high repair costs.

There are also other effective mechanical tools on the market which can help you determine whether your chain needs to be changed or not.

A bicycle chain size can usually be identified by the following measurements:

1/2”X11/128”
1/2”X3/32”
1/2”X1/8”

Outer gear bike: count cassettes and choose a suitable speed chain.
Internal gear bike/ Single speed chain: confirm specification first (1/8” or 3/32”) and choose a suitable chain.

Connect chain with proper tool and instruction, or use correct chain connector.

Please consult you dealers for chain installation. Avoid gear change during high speed uphill cornering when the bike is heavily slanted sideways to prevent unnecessary sideways impact to the chain.

Due to stretch and engagement running force with freewheel, inner link touches sprocket teeth. Thus, the inner link wears out. Usually there is no wear on outer links.

Make sure you are using the appropriate lubricant, like KMC professional lube .

You can test it by spraying some on your hand. It should first feel like water (for penetration), after some time it should become sticky or dry (for durable lubrication).

To obtain the maximum mileage from your drivetrain irrespective of the type of chain, simply:

1. When shifting, try to keep the chain in as straight a line as possible between chain wheel and cassette (i.e. do not use the extreme positions like the smallest chainring and the smallest sprocket, or the largest chainring and the largest sprocket.)

2. When shifting, try to anticipate a situation (i.e. when going uphill, shift up early in order to prevent excess force on the chain when having to change gear.)

3. Before stopping, shift to smaller chainring to avoid having to shift from stand-still.

If you ride the bike under normal condition and you change different gears for shifting not only using certain gear during riding, chain will be the first one to wear out, and then freewheel. Sprocket (or chain ring) usually is the last one to show the sign of being worn out.