Chain issue

spasypaddy

ok so i had a new chain installed on my bike yesterday. riding a compact double with a 11-28 on the back. Before i could ride big to big (yes i know its not ideal but i do it anyway). now when i drop into big to big the rear mech is running almost parallel to the ground and it locks up. last night i almost went over the bars. its not just big to big it was also the other top 2 cassette cogs.

when it was installed i watched the process and the chain was routed along the largest rear cog and the inner chainring. and then pulled round and broken in the right place. this is correct isnt it?

anyone got any advice?

is my chain too short?

nicklouse

wrong length.

Big and big plus one full link. (rear mech ignored).

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-hel ... gth-sizing

spasypaddy

we did big to small and the rear mech.

the chain is now wasted and i'll have to buy a new one again.

nicklouse

or just dont use those gears.

spasypaddy

i'll get a new chain then, and make the mechanic who fitted it pay for the replacement.

rolf_f

spasypaddy wrote:

i'll get a new chain then, and make the mechanic who fitted it pay for the replacement.

Is the correct answer.

However, chain wouldn't be wasted - you could have used an offcut of matching chain and another quick link to fix it.

Odd mistake to make though. Maybe the mechanic does a good business in replacement rear mechs......

spasypaddy

i wont be able to get to the shop/a shop where offcuts are available until tomorrow by which point the chain will probably have done 40ish miles. is it wise to add on a bit of chain after 40miles?

marcusjb

spasypaddy wrote:

i wont be able to get to the shop/a shop where offcuts are available until tomorrow by which point the chain will probably have done 40ish miles. is it wise to add on a bit of chain after 40miles?

I'd have thought it okay - 40 miles is nothing in a chain's life unless the conditions were really mucky etc.

Worth checking the chain over thoroughly though if things did jam up - make sure no side plates are cracked and so on.

rolf_f

marcusjb wrote:

I'd have thought it okay - 40 miles is nothing in a chain's life unless the conditions were really mucky etc.

Probably ok even if it was 40 miles cycling through a sandpaper factory!

And @ spasypaddy, the moral of the story is fit your own chain so that a) some dunderhead mechanic can't screw it up for you; only you can do that and b) in the unlikely event you do screw it up, you'll have loads of offcuts of chain to hand!

spasypaddy

ok so i managed to get an extra 5 links added last night which guess what...

is the exact same amount that the numpty removed on sunday.

so my lovely KMC chain has some nasty shimano stuff running through it now.

rolf_f

But you will get your numpty to find some KMC still won't you? I mean, after the first bit of rain you'll end up with a nice silver chain with a short, brown rusty section

spasypaddy

unfortunately i had it done at a different shop to where i had it done originally last night. called in and got a favour from a mate last night.

kangarouge

That Look 695 looks amazing. Looks like a Mark Cavendish type stem.

spasypaddy

Kangarouge wrote:

That Look 695 looks amazing. Looks like a Mark Cavendish type stem.

thanks!

new wheels to come, cant decide whether i want zipp 404s or mavic cosmic carbone SLR...

FTR the short chain wasnt on the 695. Only one mechanic (a very trusted one) is allowed to even breathe near it.