How many miles can you safely ride a chain without risking the rest of your drivetrain (cassette, chainrings, pulleys)? To qualify, lets assume the chain is on a road bike, with mid/top of the line components, is kept well-lubed and free of grit, and is ridden by a weekend warrior of average fitness.

I like to put on a new chain every 1,200-1,500 miles. Should I replace it more often? Less often?

This story picks up from a spontaneous comment I posted at the beginning of the Milano Sanremo open thread, here, about my 1999 trip to see the spring classics.

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