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chain snapped

My chain snapped this morning when I was shifting to go uphill. I'm thinking it was a "bad shift" on my part.

I've only been commuting for about 2 years, but this has never happened to me, and it sort of freaked me out since I had to pull to the side (luckily I was on Linden). Then, I had to go home and bus to work.

I'm just wondering if this sort of thing happens often. If so, I should probably learn to fix it. If not, I should learn to shift appropriately :/


amygdala
2012-03-13 15:02:02

It has happened to me 2 or 3 times over 20 years. Chain breaker tools are small and easy to learn how to use so well worth throwing in the bag with the tube and tire irons. You can remove the bad spots and reconnect the chain on the side of the road, just don't try to switch to gear combinations that will overstress the chain (big chain ring/big rear cogs). It will be good enough to last you until you can get to the ship for a new chain though.


The better you take care of the chain, the less likely it is to break. When it dries out or starts rusting the stiff links will create stress points. Bad shifts where you end up getting it pinched somewhere can also dink or bend links to create weak points. Riding with a crossed chain - big front/small back or vice versa also stresses it more than needed so you should avoid those combinations.


bd
2012-03-13 15:18:30

Chains will also snap when they are worn out.


rsprake
2012-03-13 15:22:58

I did this yesterday. Probably because my chain was really stinking dirty and muddy from riding my road bike through lots of mud in frick park and not lubing it proper.


Luckily, I was a block from Iron City bikes and they hooked me up with a quick link and a spray of chain lube and I was on my way.


benzo
2012-03-13 15:48:47

This is the perfect opportunity to tell my epic chain break story...


I was riding home after work, by the Waterfront about to cross the Rankin Bridge... My chain was making some weird grindy noises... I pulled over to see if anything was caught, but didn't notice anything


I cycled a little further... then my chain snapped. "Ah crap" I thought. Luckily however, I had a chain tool and a quick link too.


So I went to take out the broken link and was merrily turning the chain tool when BAM! my chain tool snapped in half!


I couldn't believe it! I couldn't use the quick link because the bushings were still attached, just the plates had broke. I tried turning the chain tool while holding it together and also trying to hammer the pin out, both to (obviously) no avail.


Then I decided to try and call somebody to pick me up, but as I was calling, the phone died! After scratching my head for a minute, I got my lights and wallet, and left my panniers and bike locked up to the bridge and ran to my destination.


The next day I took the EBO from Edgewood to East Liberty, ran from there to Morningside, then used my other bicycle to get back to the Rankin Bridge, got my panniers, and then went to work, still leaving my bike at the bridge.


I eventually picked it up with a car.


It turns out the chain was super worn. I think over 12 inches the pin was over a quarter inch off.


sgtjonson
2012-03-13 16:22:31

Twice in my life I've broken a chain. I don't remember what I fixed the first chain with, but the second break was fixed by hammering the links back together with a brick found on the side of the road.


I carry a quick link now. Unfortunately, I just realized that I'm still riding on the "brick fixed" chain....


2012-03-13 16:40:42

1/4" whoa. how's that cassette holding up.


dmtroyer
2012-03-13 16:42:28