A Bicycle drive system

Wester

My commute to work every day is flat so i never change gears i always stay in the second highest gear on the bike all day every day

My question is how will this affect the chain ring , chain . sprockets etc etc in the long term will is make them last longer or shorter or will it make no difference to the drive system of the bicycle ?

Johnmcl7

I would assume it would make the rear cassette and chain last a shorter amount of time because the chain and cassette generally wear together and if you're always in the same gear at the back, that sprocket will wear quicker and in turn so will the chain. The bike shop mentioned I should try and even wear out by not using the same gears all the time at the back but given you get single speed bikes I doubt it makes that much of a difference.

John

PintAndAPie

Don't worry about it, just ride it. When the time comes you'll be able to get a new chain and cassette for half the price of a single tank of petrol.

martindow

I would imagine that you get the least wear with the chain in a straight line between the chain ring and sprocket. Wear causes problems when you are changing gears so if you are constantly in one gear you could possibly get away with worn components for a long time.

As has been said ride it how you like and don't wish problems on yourself!

Strider590

Shouldn't be a problem, but it's even more important now to have your saddle at the correct height else it won't be the bike that wears out, it'll be your knee's.

Weird_Nev

Is your cadence high enough? By that I mean the rate you spin your legs. It should be between 70-90rpm, which generally feels quite quick for a new cyclist. Second highest gear on most bikes is a big gear to push, especially from a standstill. Even if you can turn it comfortably when on the move, starting off in the gear is not healthy!

You can damage your knees particularly by putting too much stress on them, and it's also not great for the bike to only be in one gear. Second highest sprocket on the back only has 12-14 teeth, so all your wear is on those teeth, at a high chain tension and wear rate too! Deraileurs and cables seize as well if they do not get used.

Starting off in a lower gear will be kinder on your knees and bike.

Consider a fixed gear /single speed bike for your next purchase. The sprockets are flat toothed making them much stronger and less prone to wear. Keep the chain oiled and they last virtually forever, and are very low maintenance.