How to tell if your chain is worn out.

🔧 Quick tip: How to tell if your chain is worn out? You don't need any tools. Just your hands. Put your bike in normal gear, grab the chain by the chainring and pull it straight out. If it separates and you see a gap between the chain and the teeth... it's time to replace it.

Want to be absolutely sure? There's a specific tool called a chain checker. It costs less than €10, fits between the links, and tells you exactly if the chain is at its limit. It's highly recommended to have one at home, especially if you ride frequently.

* Why this matters more than it seems: A chain doesn't "break" suddenly. It stretches gradually, and as it does, it pulls the cassette and chainring sprockets along with it, causing them to wear down simultaneously. The general rule is that for every 3 or 4 chains you change, you should also replace the cassette and chainring. But be careful: that's if you change the chain in time. If you let it go too long, the sprockets will wear out much faster, and you'll have to replace the entire drivetrain at once.

A chain: ~€10-15 depending on the range

Cassette + turntable: easily €80-€200 depending on the range

The conclusion is simple: checking the chain regularly is the cheapest way to maintain your bike.

Do you use a chain gauge or do you do it by eye? 👇