How much does a chain replacement cost?

[li10up]

I have over 6000 miles on my Ruby Pro and I noticed some chain stretch so I took it in to have the chain replaced. It cost me $59! Seems high to me. What does your LBS charge to do that? Guess next time I'll save the labor costs and do it myself.

[Eden]

it depends on the chain you put on.. a new DA chain costs $50 without any labor....

[Blueberry]

Usually it's $10 in labor - plus anywhere from 20-60 for the chain (depending).

[OakLeaf]

I just paid $35 for a SRAM PC1070 chain plus $10 labor to replace the chain, cassette and chainrings. I thought the labor charge was incredibly cheap, but what do I know.

(Everyone including the mechanic thought the chainrings weren't "that bad," especially the big and small rings, but I had new ones lying around from when I swapped out my crankset, plus the old ones really looked pretty chewed up to me - if they'd been motorcycle sprockets they definitely would've been due for replacement, besides the fact that on a motorcycle you always replace front and rear sprockets together with the chain - they do wear together.)

[vinbek]

My husband builds bikes as a hobby, so I haven't been in a bike shop to incur labor charges in about 20 or so years. He works on all my friends bikes too. When I was pregnant years ago, I was riding up a hill and I guess I was so heavy - I broke the chain. Now, i don't know about you, but I don't carry a chain tool with me when I ride. A spoke wrench but not a chain tool. We had a newbie on the ride with us that had a bike pack that had to weigh about 50 pounds. She had every tool known to man in it. she had a chain tool and we were able to take the broken link off and put it back together and keep riding. I don't mind changing the chain, I just hate trying to get the derailleur dialed in perfectly.

[Running Mommy]

relevance in the last post?? sorry but that last response has me wondering what all of that had to do with how much a chain costs??

NOW, for how much it costs. It sounds like they replaced it with a dura ace chain, or many the next step down. Add in 5-10 $ labor and your at 59.00.

Did they tell you what they replaced it with?
We use mostly sram in the shop because they are easier to work with, run great, and tend to be cheaper than shimano.

I'd call and ask what they put on. If it wasn't da or equiv. then they ripped you off. Otherwise, it's good.

[TxDoc]

depends on the chain... I ride Campagnolo so my chains run anywhere between $60 and $80 depending on how much discount I get from the LBS

[Jiffer]

I just had a new chain put on. I believe it was a $50 chain, but they always give us great deals because we've spent a ton of money in there. So, it was probably discounted 10 or 20% and I know they gave me a break in labor. But, without the break, it would have probably been about $60 total.

[ridebikeme]

Well, it sounds you have had some great advice here! Chains normally run anywhere from $20-$100... but that is one that most people don't use. I agree with Running Mommy, I have used SRAM chains in the shop since the early 90's... great value and I believe a better chain than Shimano. AS for your $59 charge, it could be that they installed a Shimano, SRAM, or KMC chain... although most shops use Shimano or SRAM.

With 6000 miles on your cassette, you'll want to pay attention to the shifting on your bike. If you should notice any problems, have your LBS check your cassette... there may be too many miles on it to make it compatible with your new chain.

[Aggie_Ama]

I think mine was $8 in labor or maybe no labor since I got a cassette (change size not because of wear), bought the chain, some sort of links, a deraileur adjustment and had my bars wrapped.

The chain was pretty expensive but I run Ultegra chain. I don't know $40? I think DH's was $50 for Dure Ace.

[Blueberry]

We use mostly sram in the shop because they are easier to work with, run great, and tend to be cheaper than shimano.

And they have those nifty little super links so you can take your chain off and clean it any time you want (if you're so inclined) Yep - we like SRAM chains (it's a bonus that they're cheaper).

CA

[Aggie_Ama]

And they have those nifty little super links so you can take your chain off and clean it any time you want (if you're so inclined) Yep - we like SRAM chains (it's a bonus that they're cheaper).

CA

I am running an Ultegra because the LBS ran out of SRAM when I went in.

[maillotpois]

I always just change it myself. I like Wipperman chains and they're at least $50, but also have the master link which is absolutely ESSENTIAL IMHO.

[Mr. SR500]

I like KMC 10 SL chains and they run about $60. But you can get a Shimano 105 chain for less then 1/3. Depends on what chain and labor cost.

[OakLeaf]

We use mostly sram in the shop because they are easier to work with, run great, and tend to be cheaper than shimano.

My mechanic talked me into the SRAM chain (actually it didn't take much convincing). I just said, as long as it's of comparable quality and compatible with the Shimano derailleurs, chainrings and cassette, whatever!