Broken chain advice pls =)

Barnymeinhoff

Hi all,

Chain snapped at the weekend, bit miffed as was about a month old and not really ridden that hard,

have removed link and re attached chain however my question is...is this a long term solution or should one always replace the chain at the first opportunity.

Thanks,

cooldad

If it was the correct length to start with, it will now be too short and you run the risk of ripping your mech/hanger off.

I would measure it properly and either replace it or add link(s) (using a master link).

You don't say which chain - if a Shimano and you used the little useless joining pin, it will snap again soon.

jimothy78

Chains break - no reason to replace the whole thing unless you have reason to think it's worn or damaged. I had one go twice in about a mile, once, but it then carried on to do another 400 miles without any more problems...

You don't specify how you "re-attached" it, but if you removed a whole double link (one inner, one outer) and rejoined using a chain tool, it may now be too short, as CD says. If you just used a "quick link" to replace a broken outer link, then it should be fine.

Barnymeinhoff

Thanks both, was is a shimano and yes re attached by removing double and re pinning with chain tool.

will get a replacement at the weekend.

jimothy78

Barnymeinhoff wrote:

Thanks both, was is a shimano and yes re attached by removing double and re pinning with chain tool.

will get a replacement at the weekend.

Get a KMC - better chain for less money and comes with a missing link.

cooldad

This ^^^^^^^^^^

rockmonkeysc

It will now be too short. Shimano chains are good (unless 9 speed) but the joining pin is crap.

JayKay3000

I fixed my chain last week using an extra link (how much of a rip off by the way), but on a test ride on the road it broke after four miles.

After this experience if it breaks buy a new one and have a spare in your pack. From my experience I wasted half the amount of a new chain on new links.

New chain has not broken yet.

jimothy78

JayKay3000 wrote:

I fixed my chain last week using an extra link, but on a test ride on the road it broke after four miles.

That's strange - I've never had problems with the strength of them - in fact, the last time my chain broke, it was because the outer link next in line after the quick-link got pulled apart; quick link must have been under just as much strain, but was clearly stronger than the next machine-joined link.

After this experience if it breaks buy a new one and have a spare in your pack. From my experience I wasted half the amount of a new chain on new links.

You don't need to buy links separately - if you always buy a new chain that comes with one, you'll always have a spare link (from your last chain) to carry in your pack, and anyway, last time I checked, KMC quick links were 2 for £3 on ebay - hardly a rip off when a new chain costs at least £10-15...

The Rookie

Did it break at the fix or at a different location?

Barnymeinhoff

The Rookie wrote:

Did it break at the fix or at a different location?

I'm sorry i don't understand the question?

jimothy78

Barnymeinhoff wrote:

The Rookie wrote:

Did it break at the fix or at a different location?

I'm sorry i don't understand the question?

I think the question was aimed at JayKay3000

JayKay3000

Different location.

I guess if the ops chain was a month old though I'd try a new link. I only replaced my chain because it broke after so few test miles.
It could have been a bad link. I guess you won't really know till you ride. A month seems rather short. I'd probably still buy a new one for peace of mind.