Snapped chain on a month-old bike
jd843
Posts: 59
Says it in the title really - bought a brand new bike last month and earlier today, I was riding out of the saddle and the chain snapped right through the link. I've done less than 200 miles on it.
What can cause this? Surely nothing I could have done wrong would have caused a chain to snap after this few miles?
edit just to be clear, the metal has actually clean broken, it's not just the link that has come apart.
What can cause this? Surely nothing I could have done wrong would have caused a chain to snap after this few miles?
edit just to be clear, the metal has actually clean broken, it's not just the link that has come apart.
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What make of chain was it? Did you fit it yourself?
If it was Shimano the pin may not have been properly installed.
Edit, just reread and see it was a brand new bike. Get it back to the store you purchased it from.0 -
redvision wrote:What make of chain was it? Did you fit it yourself?
If it was Shimano the pin may not have been properly installed.
Edit, just reread and see it was a brand new bike. Get it back to the store you purchased it from.
A shimano chain, and nope, the shop fitted it. I'll be giving them a ring in the morning! Does it suggest it wasn't fitted properly?0 -
Google snapped KMC chains... you wont find much.... Shimano stuff, I get... but not their branded chains.0
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jd843 wrote:redvision wrote:What make of chain was it? Did you fit it yourself?
If it was Shimano the pin may not have been properly installed.
Edit, just reread and see it was a brand new bike. Get it back to the store you purchased it from.
A shimano chain, and nope, the shop fitted it. I'll be giving them a ring in the morning! Does it suggest it wasn't fitted properly?
Unless the bike was a custom build from the shop itself, they would not have fitted the chain. Most new bikes come 99% pre-assembled in a box, with very little extra for the shop to do.0 -
Don't chains just snap spontaneously all the time. Isn't that we all carry/ are advised to carry a chain tool with us on every ride.0
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Chains do snap from time to time. It's just something that happens. See what they say.0
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Ive only had one snap in 50k odd miles and that was a chain i was u sure of the mileage as it came on a used bike and broke before i got round to change it. Seems a bit odd but i would ring the shop and just get a new chain from them. All the faff of parking taking it in etc id just order a new one fit and go ride0
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Only chain I've ever snapped was on a cheap BSO I bought in a box off a bloke on a disused garage forecourt. Everything on the bike was cheap, almost certainly Chinese tat.
Never had a branded chain break. Shimano did have a duff batch of Ultegra chains a few years ago which were snapping the side plates...
Back to the retailer I think0 -
keef66 wrote:Back to the retailer I think
yup - but nicely ... even if they installed it they don't want it to break - it's not in their interest.
If they deny responsibility or try and wriggle out of it that's a different game - but as chains are not expensive it's not the end of the world ... even so - a softly softly approach usually works ...
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They should replace, as it is within 6 months, but as others said, these things come preinstalled, just likely to be a defective one or a badly installed one at the factory.x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra0 -
Not saying this happened to the OP but sometimes mangling the chain on a front-shift under load can compromise even a new chain.....FFS! Harden up and grow a pair
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Occasionally defective chains make their way onto bikes but it's very rare. Should be covered under warranty if less than 200 miles on it. It's always possible some freak thing happened to cause the break or some type of installation error but not worth worrying about. Get it replaced and enjoy your new bike. The last time I broke a chain link was over 25 years ago and it was some crappy brand quick link that snapped but I noticed that the mfr. has since changed the design. My mini chain tool still sits unused in my seatpack.0
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What were you doing when it snapped?
Changing gear under high load?Bikes are OK, I guess... :-)
2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp.
2013 Trek 1.2
1982 Holdsworth Elan.0 -
Svetty wrote:Not saying this happened to the OP but sometimes mangling the chain on a front-shift under load can compromise even a new chain.....
This. I've seen a mate in the big ring and trying to change up to their biggest cog on a steep hill. Resulting in a snapped chain. Only 2 weeks old. Shimano as well.0 -
Back too the shop. They should measure it for wear, providing that's ok, and you're within 6 months from purchase I'd say you're due a free replacement. How easy that's likely to be will depend on how good your shop is.0
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So the chain splitter is really just a good luck charm.0
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Webboo wrote:So the chain splitter is really just a good luck charm.
Mate I do at least 10,000 miles a year for the last 7 years and I've had a chain snap once. That includes me racing on them 30-40 times a year and doing very hard interval sessions.
Yes they do snap but it's VERY rare if you take care of the chain and replace it every 5000 miles.0 -
K
Where's the medal smilie when you need one.DavidJB wrote:Webboo wrote:So the chain splitter is really just a good luck charm.
Mate I do at least 10,000 miles a year for the last 7 years and I've had a chain snap once. That includes me racing on them 30-40 times a year and doing very hard interval sessions.
Yes they do snap but it's VERY rare if you take care of the chain and replace it every 5000 miles.
I have once snapped a chain about twenty years ago warming up for a cross country mountain bike race. But as I'm easily influenced I do what everyone advises and carry a splitter.0 -
as said, if you look after your bike. there is absolutely no need at all to carry an extra tool in the pocket to ward off concerns about chains.
Some people basically ride bikes that are filthy and to be honest as roadies, a disgrace.
We are not MTBers,... clean stuff up and you can check on the health of kit.
When I line up in a road race, 99.999999 % of those bikes are pristine... I noticed one bike out of 40 last week that hadnt been cleaned since an obvious wet ride.... all i know is , he was pinged out during the race somewhere, dont think he actually finished...
it's about having a professional attitude in an amateur sport/pastime.
Standing clueless at the side of the road is like... a bit brain dead really.... and another thing, if I pass you and that drivetrain is like sh it.. I aint going to touch it.0 -
Webboo wrote:Don't chains just snap spontaneously all the time. Isn't that we all carry/ are advised to carry a chain tool with us on every ride.
A more likely scenario is you trash your rear derailleur. Having a chain tool means you can shorten the chain and single speed it back home.0
