Chains...
meismyles
Posts: 3
Hi,
Recently I was riding and the chain twisted almost 90 degrees on itself and so the bike wouldn't move. I managed to bend it back enough to ride home and then took it up to the local shop. He then proceeded to just twist it back with some pliers.
Now, when it comes to chains I really have no idea, so I'm wondering if I need to just replace the links or whether I need a whole new chain (it was twisted quite badly).
Either way, I don't know anything about them, are there different sizes, lengths (how do I know how long it needs to be) and qualities?
My bike is a Marin Northside 09 model and is 8 speed with an SRAM X-5 rear derailleur. Im pretty sure the old chain was a Shimano HG40 but that's where my knowledge ends.
So what chains would you recommend and I'm willing to pay a little extra for something that's going to last longer.
Thanks for the help.
Recently I was riding and the chain twisted almost 90 degrees on itself and so the bike wouldn't move. I managed to bend it back enough to ride home and then took it up to the local shop. He then proceeded to just twist it back with some pliers.
Now, when it comes to chains I really have no idea, so I'm wondering if I need to just replace the links or whether I need a whole new chain (it was twisted quite badly).
Either way, I don't know anything about them, are there different sizes, lengths (how do I know how long it needs to be) and qualities?
My bike is a Marin Northside 09 model and is 8 speed with an SRAM X-5 rear derailleur. Im pretty sure the old chain was a Shimano HG40 but that's where my knowledge ends.
So what chains would you recommend and I'm willing to pay a little extra for something that's going to last longer.
Thanks for the help.
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Comments
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I am not too impressed with your Local Bike Shop just twisting the chain back with pliers. This will get you home but is not ideal. No amount of twisting will ever get it properly straight. If the chain still has a slight twist, gear change could be affected and wear on your gears will increase. As a rule of thumb chains should be replaced when they have stretched by 1%. You can by a cheap gauge that measures this.
I would recommend you replace the chain. An 8 speed Shimano chain will cost anywhere between £15-20. A bike shop will charge to fit. The chain will normally need to be shortened and you would need a chain link removal tool to do this. You can use the old chain as a guide and match the lengths. The Shimano website carries all the technical info needed. If you have little technical ability your bike shop should always be your first stop. if you are willing to do it yourself, spending some money on tools will pay for themselves soon enough in what you are not paying your Local Bike Shop to do the job.0 -
I would buy a new chain. Any 8spd chain will do.
Such as:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=254240 -
Cheers guys, thanks for the help.
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