Experiment 2: 4x chain rotation longevity

[Emteebee]

I've started a small experiment on my Cube Stereo Hybrid, Bosch CX Performance gen4.
Wanna find out how many kms to get from a chainring/cassette and 4 chains on rotation.
Silca hot wax after every ride of 40-100kms
I started with a new set of:

• SLX cassette with XT cogs on 5 highest gears.
• RaceFace chainring 34t.

4 chains:

• 1x Shimano XT M8100
• 1x Shimano Deore M6100 (OEM standard for this bike)
• 2x SRAM XX1

Initially started with 1x XT and an XX1 but I noticed a fast wear of the XT. I deliberately let it wear for a couple of rides to confirm it really was wearing more and more. I measured after every ride. The XX1 isn't giving an inch, it remains dead on at 0% wear.
That triggered me to compare with a Deore, just for the fun of it (and on sale for just €10). But also looking to get the most out of cassette/chainring so bought an additional XX1. So this is where I'm at now regarding kms:

• XT: 400km = 0.10% wear
• XX1: 500km = 0.00% wear
• Deore: 0km
• XX1: 0km

Motor use is by average 75% eMTB, 15% Turbo, and pretty wet and dirty mud conditions in the last months.
Will keep posted how things progress. Some things I want to learn from this:

• Chain longevity per type?
• Will cassette/chainring last the 4 chains?
• Total set milage?

Chain wear data, 900km total:

Motor driving mode usage data:

(* data shown at 24-11-24 are averages as from start of measurement at 1 nov 24)

What I'm hoping to confirm is cassette/chainring can last pretty long, given I swap chains based on equal wear% so the whole set wears out evenly. I've put the XT chain on ice for now to let the others catch up on it.
I am just very curious what the optimal amount of chains per cassette/chainring is for myself for my specific conditions.
I'm well aware that I could run 10x Deore chains for the same price as 2x XX1. But that might be another experiment. Which I will not attempt btw.

 

[Stihldog]

I've started a small experiment on my Cube Stereo Hybrid, Bosch CX Performance gen4.
Wanna find out how many kms to get from a chainring/cassette and 4 chains on rotation (swap based on wear). Silca hot wax after every ride of 40-100kms
I started with a new set of:

• SLX cassette with XT cogs on 5 highest gears.
• RaceFace chainring 34t.

4 chains:

• 1x Shimano XT M8100
• 1x Shimano Deore M6100 (OEM standard for this bike)
• 2x SRAM XX1

Initially started with 1x XT and an XX1 but I noticed a fast wear of the XT. I deliberately let it wear for a couple of rides to confirm it really was wearing more and more. I measured after every ride. The XX1 isn't giving an inch, it remains dead on at 0% wear.
That triggered me to compare with a Deore, just for the fun of it (and on sale for just €10). But also looking to get the most out of cassette/chainring so bought an additional XX1. So that's where I'm at now regarding kms:

• XT: 400km = 0.10% wear
• XX1: 500km = 0.00% wear
• Deore: 0km
• XX1: 0km

View attachment 152439
Motor use is by average 75% eMTB, 15% Turbo, and pretty wet and dirty mud conditions in the last months.
Will keep posted

Interesting experiment. The results could be helpful.

I use 3 types of chain lube. One of them is probably just olive oil …I wouldn’t know. XT cassette and 8100 Shimano chain.

But the most important thing I found was proper cadence. I’m mostly in eMTB mode and climb almost any trail. These motors can add a lot of stress to our transmission and motor components. I believe that I have extended the life of these components by using the correct cadence.

I haven’t tried the hot wax or chain-alternating method.

 

[irie]

But the most important thing I found was proper cadence. I’m mostly in eMTB mode and climb almost any trail. These motors can add a lot of stress to our transmission and motor components. I believe that I have extended the life of these components by using the correct cadence.

Agree with you. Mrs irie often uses very low cadence (<60) and I have to change her chain after about 600 miles. I try to keep my cadence 70+ and have to change my chain at over 1,000 miles. Both alloy Trek Rails. Also hear her crunching through the gears while I always back off a little before changing.

Edit: both Shimano XTR chains (buy them when they're on overstock discount)

 

[Stihldog]

Agree with you. Mrs irie often uses very low cadence (<60) and I have to change her chain after about 600 miles. I try to keep my cadence 70+ and have to change my chain at over 1,000 miles. Both alloy Trek Rails. Also hear her crunching through the gears while I always back off a little before changing.

It took us few rides but eventually she reached 70-80 cadence. That’s a huge improvement over 40. I just need to work on the crunching noise …but that’s getting better also.

 

[RoJo]

I've started a small experiment on my Cube Stereo Hybrid, Bosch CX Performance gen4.
Wanna find out how many kms to get from a chainring/cassette and 4 chains on rotation.
Silca hot wax after every ride of 40-100kms
I started with a new set of:

• SLX cassette with XT cogs on 5 highest gears.
• RaceFace chainring 34t.

4 chains:

• 1x Shimano XT M8100
• 1x Shimano Deore M6100 (OEM standard for this bike)
• 2x SRAM XX1

Initially started with 1x XT and an XX1 but I noticed a fast wear of the XT. I deliberately let it wear for a couple of rides to confirm it really was wearing more and more. I measured after every ride. The XX1 isn't giving an inch, it remains dead on at 0% wear.
That triggered me to compare with a Deore, just for the fun of it (and on sale for just €10). But also looking to get the most out of cassette/chainring so bought an additional XX1. So this is where I'm at now regarding kms:

• XT: 400km = 0.10% wear
• XX1: 500km = 0.00% wear
• Deore: 0km
• XX1: 0km

Motor use is by average 75% eMTB, 15% Turbo, and pretty wet and dirty mud conditions in the last months.
Will keep posted how things progress. Some things I want to learn from this:

• Chain longevity per type?
• Will cassette/chainring last the 4 chains?
• Total set milage?

Chain wear data, 900km total:

View attachment 152448
Motor driving mode usage data:
View attachment 152454
(* data shown at 24-11-24 are averages as from start of measurement at 1 nov 24)

What I'm hoping to confirm is cassette/chainring can last pretty long, given I swap chains based on equal wear% so the whole set wears out evenly. I've put the XT chain on ice for now to let the others catch up on it.
I am just very curious what the optimal amount of chains per cassette/chainring is for myself for my specific conditions.
I'm well aware that I could run 10x Deore chains for the same price as 2x XX1. But that might be another experiment. Which I will not attempt btw.

Fantastic experiment. Keep us all posted.
There are other results for XX1 performing well for longevity, unfortunately the original cycling tips article was taken down but here are the graphs:

Levo Gen 3 - SRAM XX1 or XO1 Chain?

Upgrading my stock chain at 500 miles on my Levo Expert. Would you run the XX1 or XO1?

www.emtbforums.com

Also:

Latest Zero Friction Cycling News - Chain efficiency vs Longevity - Zero Friction Cycling

Latest News 56 – Chain efficiency vs Longevity Alrighty here we go, something I have wanted to be able to publish for a long time – I finally have clearance! Some chains have outstanding wear longevity, but are not very fast. Some chains are very fast, but have very poor wear life. Some chains do...

zerofrictioncycling.com.au

 

[steve_sordy]

@Emteebee I have long believed that the whole transmission wears at the rate of the worst component. Have an all top-end transmission and it will last absolutely ages. But put a cheap chain on it and the whole lot will wear rapidly.

Therefore, I have concerns that leaving the XT chain in there, that is already suspect will contaminate your experiment. When the XT chain is running, being worn more than the rest of the transmission, it will wear them at a faster rate.

I have already discovered for myself that high end transmission delivers longer life and posted on here to that effect.

 

[Mikerb]

the main differences between the cheaper/lower in the range chains and those higher up the range is the coating material used. Very often you only need move 1 step up the range ladder to get that (e.g SRAM gx toX01) whilst the actual top of the range chains often just prioritise low weight......often with hollow pins.
All steel casettes ( maybe with an alloy 12th gear) are obviously more robust than ally versions and assuming a variety of gears are used on most rides wear is distributed across up to 11 cogs......therefore casettes tend to last longer than chains.
What wears on a chain is the inner diameter of the rollers ( and possibly the pins). I reckon the chief contributer to that wear is dirt which means chain cleaning is important. I agree with the a bove that cadence is probably second on the list of contributors to wear. Given the chain is not subject to heat or rapid speeds I really do not think what lube is used makes much difference provided it is replenished regularly. (except of course to the various lube brands ££££)

 

[irie]

I really do not think what lube is used makes much difference provided it is replenished regularly.

Agree.