G3CWI
Veteran
- Location
- Macclesfield
I have had three Shimano chains break. I'm beginning to see a (weak) link. Fortunately I carry a chain tool.
SRAM next time I think.
SRAM next time I think.
should you/we cyclists "expect" a chain to break at some time???
- Thread starter Dave7
- Start date
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Good maintenance won't compensate for a faulty sideplate or other manufacturing issue. Hope you carry a chain tool and a joining link 'just in case'.
Apollonius
Guru
- Location
- South Staffordshire
It is the "press fit" way in which Shimano chains are assembled that makes them break. If you put one together with a decent snap link it should be OK.
shouldbeinbed
Rollin' along
- Location
- Manchester way
I always carry a quick link as part of my toolkit & chain tool
+1 to the warning on cheap chain tools. I had one once that wasn't even made of cheese, 1st time I tried it, at home fortunately, the pin extractor piece snapped before it moved the pin at all.
+1 to the warning on cheap chain tools. I had one once that wasn't even made of cheese, 1st time I tried it, at home fortunately, the pin extractor piece snapped before it moved the pin at all.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Hope as much as you like - sh*t happens!
One of the broken chains that I repaired was on a friend's new mountain bike. She had only ridden the bike (gently!) for a few hours before the chain snapped. We were miles from anywhere along the side of Loch Etive in Scotland. It would have been a long trudge back to the van if I had not been able to do the repair. I had the chain fixed in less than 10 minutes.
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
I always carry a spare link and chain tool but have never had a chain break so have never fixed one. I've always assumed it would be a doddle, but this thread has me worried and seeking out an old bit of chain for some practice!
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
One thing to watch out for is the alignment of the pin in the breaker and the pin in the chain, if it gets really difficult to turn then they may well be out of line and trying to force it will break the tool. Just back it off half a turn, realign and try again as it should never feel 'solid' when it is pressing correctly on the pin (but it will if you are pressing on the side plate)
Dogtrousers
Kilometre nibbler
Only once. Decades ago. My own fault, I'd bodged the fitting of my (5 speed) chain. I was in the middle of Pembrokeshire.
I walked to a (not very) nearby farm. I ended up getting a lift to the nearest town riding on a trailer behind a tractor, through the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, drinking a cup of tea. I borrowed a nail punch and hammer at a garage and fixed it. Without that broken chain I'd have missed out on a memorable day.
I carry spare links and a chain tool now. It's probably the wrong kind of tool and links but they should be enough to ward off the very rare chain rivet fairy.
I walked to a (not very) nearby farm. I ended up getting a lift to the nearest town riding on a trailer behind a tractor, through the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, drinking a cup of tea. I borrowed a nail punch and hammer at a garage and fixed it. Without that broken chain I'd have missed out on a memorable day.
I carry spare links and a chain tool now. It's probably the wrong kind of tool and links but they should be enough to ward off the very rare chain rivet fairy.
Never had a chain break, never had a spoke fail and at 52 can count punctures on my fingers, with plenty spare.
Nowadays I don't carry any tools beyond a multi-tool, I rode on a 2 week Euro tour with my cousin, he had us carrying all sorts of "what if"? crap, kg's of tools and spares, his BB failed (no tool), the only problem on the tour.
Nowadays I don't carry any tools beyond a multi-tool, I rode on a 2 week Euro tour with my cousin, he had us carrying all sorts of "what if"? crap, kg's of tools and spares, his BB failed (no tool), the only problem on the tour.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
You may have just invoked said fairy but I've been told she can be warded off by regular 'Mickling' of your chain.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Just under 87,000miles for me and I've only had one chain snap (touch wood) on a commuter and I must admit I expected that and had a quick link which meant I still got to a MSc examine on time Touch wood again, I've never had a chain snap on a big ride but my quicklinks and chain tools have been used by many another
Touch wood again, I've never had a chain snap on a big ride but my quicklinks and chain tools have been used by many another 
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
I've always used KMC chains and never thought I would have one break on me. Last year I went on a ride to Southend and checked my chain for wear beforehand. Less than 0.5%.
Ride over, I was going round Parliament Square in 3-4 lanes of traffic when the chain went. I wasn't even putting much tension on it. These days I try and carry a small chain tool and a spare KMC link.
Ride over, I was going round Parliament Square in 3-4 lanes of traffic when the chain went. I wasn't even putting much tension on it. These days I try and carry a small chain tool and a spare KMC link.
U
User6179
Guest
The Ultegra cn-6600 chain seems to be better than the 6701 , never had a breakage and had 5000 miles out of one and the cassette was still ok for another 3000 miles after that , they are for triples but cant see a reason not to use on doubles.http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...gclid=CNb06LGwg8UCFSzMtAodfgYAtw&gclsrc=aw.ds
