New chain - stiff link

dnm_1973

Hi,

Just got the bike back from the LBS for its annual service and part of the work done was the fitting of a new chain and rear cassette (previous set had done over 3000 miles so I wasn't too worried about it needing new ones).

First couple of rides seemed fine, but I've recently noticed a clicking noise roughly every couple of pedal revolutions. I guessed this must be something to do with the chain and sure enough I've found a dodgy link. When I run the chain through the rear derailleur, it keeps a right-angle shape before eventually almost flattening out (but not quite) on route to the front chain ring. It then continues ok-ish until again it enters the rear derailleur and adopts the very wrong looking right-angled kink position.

Unfortunately when I was out today, the problem progressed from just a clicking noise, to the chain jumping and skipping between gears on the rear cassette so it's definitely something I'll have to get sorted.

Can anyone tell me if this is a common enough problem and user fixable (i.e. should I try to loosen it off by manually working some oil into it), or should I really be taking the bike back to the LBS and asking for a completely new chain to be fitted?

Thanks,
Dave

Smokin Joe

Hold the chain either side of the stiff link and bend it sideways a couple of times and you should click the pin properly into place and free it. Sheldon Brown has an illustration somewhere on his site.

Inexcusable sloppiness on the part of the mechanic who installed the chain.

aracer

You can do as Smokin suggests, and that would be my recommendation were it not that there's a shop who's got it wrong. What brand type of chain is it? I'd be a tad concerned about the integrity of a modern 10-speed chain with a stiff link, given they are pretty much all supposed to be joined with a special link/pin which should make it impossible to get a stiff link. Sounds a lot like yours was joined with a normal pin, which you're not really supposed to do (fine for a home mechanic, but not for a shop).

rustychisel

as Smokin Joe said, you should be able to free it up with some oil and flexing, but inspect carefully to make sure the pin is seated properly and centered through the plates. Oh yeah, and raise the issue with the LBS - it's the only way they'll learn.

dnm_1973

Thanks for the advice - I'll give it a try tonight.

FWIW, I think there is a special link pin on the chain (it looks different from all the others anyway), but it's a few inches along from the link that's giving me the problems.

I can't see any branding on the chain but will check the LBS invoice to see if it's mentioned.

dnm_1973

I tried flexing the chain (in all the ways I could) but it's still very stiff and won't go straight without me forcing it.

You can see how it looks in the following picture:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/dnm_1973/DodgyChain-20070910002.jpg

:?

I'll take the bike back in to the LBS tomorrow and hopefully they'll replace it no problem.

Thanks for the advice.

onbike 1939

dnm_1973 wrote:

I tried flexing the chain (in all the ways I could) but it's still very stiff and won't go straight without me forcing it.

You can see how it looks in the following picture:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/dnm_1973/DodgyChain-20070910002.jpg

:?

I'll take the bike back in to the LBS tomorrow and hopefully they'll replace it no problem.

Thanks for the advice.

Looks like a stiff link to me.
Put a cloth over the chain with the offending link in the middle. Grasp at each side of the link.
Now use a wringing movement twisting your hands in opposite directions.
This should free the stiff link.