1) For a basic rider who commutes to school and occasionally rides for fun, is an aluminum rear sprocket a major deal instead of steel? (to give you an idea of how I ride, my orginial sprockets look new, still square after 17,000 miles)

2) Are clip-type masterlinks garbage?

 

dunno about material type but I was always told to stay away from clip masterlinks

 

Aluminum sprockets are totally fine in my opinion. And the swap isn't any complicated if necessary. Plus if everything is properly maintained, then you would have no problems whatsoever.

Masterlinks are totally fine. Just need a bit of extra attention. Having proper slack on your chain is more crucial probably. If you are going to use one, make sure you set it up for the right direction. I myself ran masterlink for some time, but got it swapped to rivet type to just have peace in my mind.

17k is quite a mileage for stock sprockets/chain. If you are going to change the chain you should swap the sprockets as well.

GL to you in any projects you start!

 

Stick with the 525 size. DONT get a 520 kit. Steel sprockets will last longer. Get an X ring chain. My clip on master link has held up just fine after 10K. and everything still looks new.

 

go with steel sprockets if you're commuting. I use my bike for commuting as well, i just changed the sprockets and chain at 15k. aluminum sprockets save weight, but that's really only effective if you're riding at the bikes edge of performance. and +1 to skooby, don't go 520.

 

One more question I understand that the stock chain has 108 links.

Say for example I change the ratio of the sprockets to -1/+2 or just +2 in the rear, does this at all reflect on the number of links required? Or is 108 what I need to get regardless? Thanks.

Also I am finding the hardest time finding exactly what type of kit I want, so I can save some money.

525 x ring chain
15 or 16 steel front sprocket
48 steel rear sprocket

Any help? Or do I need to buy individually. Thanks.

 

you might need more. it depends on the change. -1, +2 prolly wont. i just got a rk xso 520 chain and it has a 20000 mile warranty. i thought it was crazy when i saw it.