Chain Length...
Angus Young
Posts: 3,063
Is there an absolute length that a chain needs to be or is there a 'window' of lengths that it's O.K. to be within?
A few months back my girlfriend's bike had some work done. One thing that got done was a new chain and I'm going to assume that the LBS know what they're doing as regards length. Yesterday one side of the quick link snapped so I removed it and another link (to get the right male/female thing going on) and joined it back up. It's running perfectly but the chain is now 2 links shorter. Is there any problem with that or is there leeway with chains?
Ta.
A few months back my girlfriend's bike had some work done. One thing that got done was a new chain and I'm going to assume that the LBS know what they're doing as regards length. Yesterday one side of the quick link snapped so I removed it and another link (to get the right male/female thing going on) and joined it back up. It's running perfectly but the chain is now 2 links shorter. Is there any problem with that or is there leeway with chains?
Ta.
All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=12994607
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Comments
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Leeway is too short and pick the wrong gear and your mech's pulled off.
Why did you remove anything rather than just change the broken quick link?0 -
Leeway is too short and pick the wrong gear and your mech's pulled off.
Why did you remove anything rather than just change the broken quick link?
I didn't have a replacement quicklink (or spare links of any kind) and just taking out the quick link left me with two small ends (the sort of inside bits, if you know what I mean) facing each other at the joint.
We went for a ride and it seemed to go through all the gears without any noticeable issues.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
If the chain was sized correctly (and there is only one correct length) then it is now too short.
Go to the big chainwheel at the front and then select the second largest sprocket at the back, , if the mech isn't pulled right forward then select the largest chainwheel and pedal slowly (well off teh bike, use your hand), if the chain pulls the rear mech up into the cassette the chain was too short, do it carefully and SLOWLY and you won't do any damage if it is, do it pedalling on the road and you would make a right mess of things!Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
Leeway is too short and pick the wrong gear and your mech's pulled off.
Why did you remove anything rather than just change the broken quick link?
I didn't have a replacement quicklink (or spare links of any kind) and just taking out the quick link left me with two small ends (the sort of inside bits, if you know what I mean) facing each other at the joint.
We went for a ride and it seemed to go through all the gears without any noticeable issues.
How did you connect it if you didn't have another quicklink?0 -
do it pedalling on the road and you would make a right mess of things!
Ooopps, bit late now!
We went for a 5 mile ride after I fixed the chain and she went through all the gears and now she's gone off to work on the bike this morning and I've had no call saying it al went horribly wrong. Unless she's laying dead in a ditch somewhere, of course! I cleaned and lubed the chain after fixing it and hand cranked it through all the gears and it seemed to be running fine. That's kind of the reason I asked - I'm two links down and it seems to be working fine.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
Leeway is too short and pick the wrong gear and your mech's pulled off.
Why did you remove anything rather than just change the broken quick link?
I didn't have a replacement quicklink (or spare links of any kind) and just taking out the quick link left me with two small ends (the sort of inside bits, if you know what I mean) facing each other at the joint.
We went for a ride and it seemed to go through all the gears without any noticeable issues.
How did you connect it if you didn't have another quicklink?
With a chain breaker. Is that what they're called, those little things that push the pin out of the joint between the links?All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
So you used a normal chain pin? Not a joining pin? If so - you really shouldn't. It'll be a massive weak link.0
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So you used a normal chain pin? Not a joining pin? If so - you really shouldn't. It'll be a massive weak link.
I pushed the pin out just far enough so that I could pull the inside (narrow) link out and then pushed the pin back in with the chain joined back up. Not right, then?All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
No. Not right. You'll have a weak joint.0
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Ah, O.K. I'll have to check that you, then.All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070 -
It will fail, can last a while first, but it will.
She may not have selected big/big which is what will cause the damage, CHECK do not assume!Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.0 -
It will fail, can last a while first, but it will.
She may not have selected big/big which is what will cause the damage, CHECK do not assume!
That's not good, especially as I did the same thing on my Kona Process a few months back when the chain went on me out on the trail!All the gear, no idea and loving the smell of jealousy in the morning.
Kona Process 134 viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=129946070
