Factory lube/chaincase experiment a la Matt2matt2002

[Matt2matt2002]

Hello folks.

Hats off to Andre for an excellent review of his chain / chaincase set up.

What follows is a mini homage to his study.

Raven Tour, bought second hand but Rohloff hub is from approx 2008.

October 2014 new KMCX1 chain fitted with 37/17 cogs
(Surley s/steel 37)
Hebie Chainglider fitted at same time.
No lube added.
Chain set to run slightly tighter than my usual loose/slack set up.

Always ran quiet - no noise or fiction that I could note.

Today - 20/8/15 after 10 months and 2654 miles chainglider opened.

Some of the miles were done in Tajikistan where the roads were in a very rough condition / dusty.
Also - on one memorable day I was up to both axels in mud with both guards clogged 100%.
So the 'glider was truly tested.

Here we go.


back of the 'glider off.
Good or good?


Front coming away now


Still looking good?


A close up of the chain - pretty clean.


I was tempted to give it a wipe but thought I'd post here for opinions before proceedings.

I have no chain gauge so cannot measure stretch.
There was more sag in the chain than I like - so turned the EBB to take it up.

I sense there is no more slack to be reduced with the EBB so will consider removing a link.
Any advice on this?

Many thanks folks

Esp. to Andre.

[David Simpson]

Hi Matt --

You don't need a special tool to measure the chain stretch. Just use a tape measure, and measure the length of 24 links. Each link is supposed to be 1/2", so on a new chain, those 24 links will be exactly 12". According to the Sheldon Brown website, once your chain is 1/8" longer than that, you should replace it.

See the "Measuring Chain Wear" section near the bottom of this page: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

- Dave

[Andre Jute]

Today - 20/8/15 after 10 months and 2654 miles chainglider opened.

Some of the miles were done in Tajikistan where the roads were in a very rough condition / dusty.
Also - on one memorable day I was up to both axels in mud with both guards clogged 100%.
So the 'glider was truly tested.

Congratulations, Matt. That's definitely a proper test, 4271km. Especially considering where you've been. That's what owning a touring bike is all about.

[Slammin Sammy]

Very impressive, Matt! The Surly ring looks brand new, too!

[Danneaux]

It all looks very good to me, Matt, and likely much, *much* better than if itg had gone the same distance in the same conditions uncovered.

A wonderful testimony to a successful Chainglider experience, I'd say!

Best,

Dan.

[geocycle]

Impressive result Matt. I had a chainglider on my RT for a similar distance and it was no where near as effective. I lubed mine and experienced a lot of wet weather. The chain had some surface rust and was superficially dirty but hadn't worn much.

[il padrone]

That shot of the rear sprocket is the kicker. A sprocket (with fewer teeth) will always show more wear than a chain-ring. Yours still looks almost brand new with hardly any change to the tooth-profile.

Great results.

[macspud]

It all looks very good to me, Matt, and likely much, *much* better than if itg had gone the same distance in the same conditions uncovered.

A wonderful testimony to a successful Chainglider experience, I'd say!

Best,

Dan.

Dan, Matt is getting away with a 37 tooth chainring.

October 2014 new KMCX1 chain fitted with 37/17 cogs
(Surley s/steel 37)
Hebie Chainglider fitted at same time.

I know it isn't the 36/17 that you are currently using and wish hibie would make a chainglider to fit, maybe worth thinking about your moving to a 37 tooth chainring?