I just put a new chain on my rain/"B" bike and it started skipping. Time for a new cassette.
I used that cassette for about three years of training and rain rides. I use the same wheels (and cassette) on my "A" bike and my "B" rain bike so for me that's around 8 hours a week average. I replace the chain about twice a year on each bike. That cassette has seen about 6-7 chains. I don't worry about miles, I use a Sachs chain checker. Of all the checkers I have tried which is probably all of them, it is the simplest and most consistent I have found. It has no moving parts. If the chain pin locates in the "new" or "good" hole, I leave it on. Any more than that and it gets replaced. My chains (and therefore cassettes) may last longer than most I see in for service because I clean my transmission a lot. I'm embarrassed if I go on a group ride with a grimy bike. My riding style has something to do with it too. I rarely let my rpm's drop below 90 so the tension on the chain is less than if I mashed.
So the short answer is it depends on the riding conditions, your style and even the terrain. More hills = more chain wear.
Interesting test: Put two brad nails next to each other and hang a new chain next to a used one and check the difference in length. I have seen chains worn as much as a full link plate longer than new!
Check Sheldon Brown for more on chains. we could talk about chains all day.
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Orth
To: OBRA List
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2012 11:53 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Cassette change frequency?
How often do you all change your cassette? Somebody told me yesterday that it should be every two chains! That's every 4k miles or so if you go by the chain every 2k miles, which is...more than once a year for most riders. I go much longer than that! Am I a neglectful bike owner? I haven't noticed poor shifting or excessive noise from my cassette.
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