How do you know when your chain is worn out?

Ive got a Tsubaci X ring chain, that has probably done about 11,000 miles atm, its been cleaned and waxed regularly since i got it, its now got a bit of a tight spot in it, ive just properly cleaned it all down, worked out a few tight links and the tight spot is still there. It is only just lifting off the back sprocket, but very little.

Problem is im going to Catalunya in 44 days, which is 3000 miles in 2 weeks, and i dont know wether to change it or not.......

should i risk it? or buy a new one before i go

[timwilky]

When in doubt the best action is to replace it and have no doubt.


Years ago a mate went to the South of France with dodgy front brakes. A trip through the alps killed the last of his pads and he had to wait over a week for a set uf UK spec pads (They were different to the european spec available locally).

Killed his holiday, no doubt you can get a replacement chain/sprockets fitted if you have to in spain, but why loose a day

yeah true.....but its £100 id rather have for the trip just

**** chain will wear your sprockets down quicker as well, if you leave it and the chain survives your sprockets may not?!

id be replacing the sprockets with the chain, do that every time, lol, i think im gonna see how much worse it gets, if it stays the way it is ill probably not change it

[embee]

Personally I wouldn't set off on a 3k mile trip knowing the chain was past its best. Those sort of holiday touring distances usually mean long days at motorway speeds, a hard life for a chain at the best of times, they get phenomenally hot.
From what you say I take it you don't have a Scottoiler? Worth their weight in gold for touring.

[yorkie_chris]

Keep working plenty of oil into the stiff link, make sure it's pristine clean and keep oiling it. If it frees up and is in otherwise good condition it will probably last by the sounds of it.


Edit:
I need to add caveat here that it is definitely a judgment call which is impossible to say for sure without having a look in person.

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by warrenhewitt10

should i risk it? or buy a new one before i go

And if you dont and your chain is goosed and lets you down mid trip, you'll be really really *insert expletive of choice here* off that you didnt change it before you left...

myns done 16 thousand and im going on a 5000 mile trip next week and i have no doubts in chain i have a scotoiler its wikedd dont have to worry about chain

change it or you will get 2 mile into a rideout and then **** about trying to get back for scotland while all the rest of the org ride round some of the best roads in scotland
no im not bitter