Snapped Chain

sharky666
sharky666 Posts: 6
edited August 2007 in MTB workshop & tech
Hello,

Whilst riding to work this morning the drive chain started to sliip really badly and after about 100 yards the chain snapped - Great just what I wanted on a monday morning - The bike is only 6 months old.

Anyway I managed to take the broken link out and I re-joined the chain with a chain pin from the link I'd removed and a chain tool that I very luckily had in my kit bag.

Do you guys know from past experience if this solution will last or will it go angain my my way home? Should I get one of those powerlink things to connect my chain again?

Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Comments

  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    It depends on what chain it is.

    I run a SRAM PC991 Hollow Pin and have found that the rivets are not very reusable. I carry a powerlink with me so can make a quick fix (meaning I've got 2 powerlinks on the chain), however, I soon noticed that when fixed the chain by putting a spare link in, the rivets are not good when reused because the end of the rivet (which holds it all together by being slightly wider) gets damaged by pushing it through the link.
    Craig Rogers
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    If it is shimano you should repair it with a new Shimano pin 186.jpg (£1.50 from chainreactioncycles which has a flared end to make it secure - you snap off the extra after insertion. A better bet though is probably to use the SRAM Powerlinks as suggested above - they are secure but you can undo and refit the chain repeatedly. It's worth carrying a second set with you for on the road repairs.
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    I'm guessing that it's not a good idea to run a chain with more than one Powerlink on a permanent basis?
    Craig Rogers
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    I think it is fine to have more than one powerlink - they run totally smoothly, and one powerlink cannot effect the security of the other.
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    :lol: I'm gonna make a complete chain out of Powerlinks! :lol:
    Craig Rogers
  • Rockhopper
    Rockhopper Posts: 503
    I never bothered with the special pin on my Shimano chains becasue i didn't realise you needed to use a new one each time! I've split and rejoined Shimano chains loads of time with no problems. I'm now running a Sram chain with a powerlink but only because the shop had no Shimano ones in stock.

    Personally if i'd broken a chain i think i'd bin it as chances are some other bits got bent as it broke.
  • royboy11
    royboy11 Posts: 71
    The first time I have trouble with a broken link in a chain i fix it just temporarily then replace the whole chain. My rational is that if one link/rivot was weak enough to break then others may be weak as well. :!:
    Norco Sasquatch '07 - Parts?.. break'em and replace'em
  • CitizenLee
    CitizenLee Posts: 2,227
    royboy11 wrote:
    The first time I have trouble with a broken link in a chain i fix it just temporarily then replace the whole chain. My rational is that if one link/rivot was weak enough to break then others may be weak as well. :!:

    Fully agree with the above. A quick fix to get you home then a new chain for peace of mind. Nothing worse than being thrown over the bars when your chain snaps under load!
    Current:
    NukeProof Mega FR 2012
    Cube NuRoad 2018
    Previous:
    2015 Genesis CdF 10, 2014 Cube Hyde Race, 2012 NS Traffic, 2007 Specialized SX Trail, 2005 Specialized Demo 8
  • x-isle
    x-isle Posts: 794
    Fully agree, since replacing the links on my PC991 Hollowpin, the chain snapped twice on FTD last Saturday, the snaps where the two links I replaced.......

    ....new chain on order.
    Craig Rogers
  • deanvw
    deanvw Posts: 412
    i got the same problems....when i was riding the chain skipped and snapped... im gonna get the shop to adjust the derailler because i was having problems with it the other day. I have also got a Shimano HG 50 and an Alivio derailler. is an old deore derailler better?
    http://mtbdean.pinkbike.com/

    Kona Scrap
  • royboy11
    royboy11 Posts: 71
    Sometimes you will notice a chain skipping before it snaps because a link is bent or starting to come apart so it doesn't run smoothly. Shortly after you may have a broken chain but in this case it's not a result of the derailleur needing adjustment.

    When you put the new chain on and it still skips then you may need to adjust the derailleur. BUT - if your cassette has worn down with the old chain then you'll need a new cassette to go with the new chain. :)
    Norco Sasquatch '07 - Parts?.. break'em and replace'em
  • deanvw
    deanvw Posts: 412
    but i fitted a new cassette last monday so it probs would be the derailler beciase u can see it is out of alignment
    http://mtbdean.pinkbike.com/

    Kona Scrap
  • royboy11
    royboy11 Posts: 71
    haha yeah it's likely out of alignment then if it looks out of alignment..
    Norco Sasquatch '07 - Parts?.. break'em and replace'em
  • deanvw
    deanvw Posts: 412
    lol
    http://mtbdean.pinkbike.com/

    Kona Scrap
  • jayson
    jayson Posts: 4,606
    Ive found in my experience when u change the chain u should change the cassette aswell to avoid any hassle it may give u bein worn with a new chain.

    I use my bike 7 days a week in all weathers (and i do mean ALL weather) so i have to change my drivetrain on a regular basis, it it lasts me 6 months its done bloody well!!!
    Remedy

    Merida

    Austria 2012

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