Broken chains

[Cuchilo]

I saw four people today walking along with broken chains . I was only out for two hours I don't recall ever breaking a chain on a bike or lately seeing anyone that has done so until today .
Could it be that these people have not been out all winter and this was the first trip out of the year without doing any checks ?
It just seems odd .

 

[Globalti]

Don't you watch the news? Today the Moon moved nearer to the other side of the Earth than at any time in the year, meaning that gravitational pull was increased by 6.72%. This explains why more chains broke on climbs and I felt sluggish all day.

 

[400bhp]

Don't you watch the news? Today the Moon moved nearer to the other side of the Earth than at any time in the year, meaning that gravitational pull was increased by 6.72%. This explains why more chains broke on climbs and I felt sluggish all day.

Enough about your bowel movements - how was the ride?

 

[Globalti]

I felt so sluggish that I didn't ride today. Yesterday's ride on the other hand was fantastic, bright, sunny, breezy and - hallelujia! - dry roads!

 

[Cuchilo]

Dammmmmm you moon !

 

[maltloaf]

On the subject of chains I noticed when I fitted a brand new shimano 105 chain the other day that you can't just push out a pin and push it back in anymore

Do people carry those little single use chain pins with them now ?

 

[uclown2002]

kmc missing link for me.

 

[maltloaf]

My chain on my daily bike has one but if you get a broken link in the middle of the chain it doesn't help much surely ? Or do you mean you carry a spare missing link ?

 

[User33236]

kmc missing link for me.

+1 (carry a spare)

 

[maltloaf]

I think I'm going to have to add one to my under seat kit.

 

[gavroche]

I think, for what it is worth, that you would need to exert a lot of sudden pressure on the pedals to break a chain. Never happened to me as I am an easy pedal pusher.

 

[maltloaf]

I tend to agree so broken chains must be down to wear and tear, poor maintenance or both plus manufacturing defects.

 

[simon.r]

I've broken 3 over the years, although all were 10+ years ago, so quality may have improved since then. One was on a new, but very cheap tandem (can't remember the brand) and two Shimano chains on MTB's.

All were fairly new and well maintained. I've used KMC or SRAM since and never had a problem. I'm a big fan of Shimano stuff normally, but not their chains.

 

[User33236]

Never had a chain break on me but carry a missing link I guess as kind of insurance. Would hate to have one go and have to walk for the sake of not carrying something that ways a couple of grams max.

 

[User33236]

[QUOTE 2946287, member: 259"]For the people having bought KMC missing links, was it worth getting the special pliers to open them or not?[/quote]
Personally I've never found the need for the pliers. Just hold the chain really close on either side on link and push together.