should you/we cyclists "expect" a chain to break at some time???

[Tojo]

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'.

I agree with this as I have not actually had a chain snap myself in years of riding , but a mate phoned me a couple of weeks ago as he had just got a couple of miles and his chain snapped and asked if I had a 9sp chain, anyway I did, he came over and it was a failed quick link plate, I measured the chain and it was nearly new, things do still pass QC even in these days of CNC manufacturing....

 

[CopperCyclist]

About 12,000 miles and had one chain snap. A SRAM chain, while commuting. Not one with sufficient mileage to justify the snap. Haven't had an issue with other SRAM chains since, though I mostly run KMC now.

I just carry a spare quicklink so I could do an emergency roadside repair if it happened again.

 

[Tin Pot]

Isn't it simpler to change the chain once every couple of years?

 

[jefmcg]

Isn't it simpler to change the chain once every couple of years?

How much do you cycle? Or how long do your chains last? I

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

I've already got a 6701. But thanks, I'll remember for next time.

I've had a look, so far I have used Shimano on the road bike (tiagra and 105) and a Clarks on my folder, and they have stretched but not broken, so I will stick with what I've bought.

 

[Drago]

Isn't it simpler to change the chain once every couple of years?

or every 1200-1500 miles in my case when they get to .75. Only a lightweight weakling can smugly observe a chain will never snap - a man weighing over 1/8 of a ton who can exert over 1/3 ton of pressure and who has actually bent cheap cranks before can very conscievably snap a chain, which is a good reason to be rigorous with the pre ride checks.

 

[Hacienda71]

And it's fillet brazed, thankyouverymuch.

You want to get some proper lugs on that.

 

[dan_bo]

You want to get some proper lugs on that.

Just dropped it in.

One perplexed Orrell.

 

[User6179]

How much do you cycle? Or how long do your chains last? I

I've already got a 6701. But thanks, I'll remember for next time.

I've had a look, so far I have used Shimano on the road bike (tiagra and 105) and a Clarks on my folder, and they have stretched but not broken, so I will stick with what I've bought.

Have did about 25000 miles in last 3 years so have used a lot of chains , 3000 miles is when I change them on average ( summer use), with Tiagra cassette I change the chain and cassette at same time but if Ultegra cassette I will get 2-3 chains to the one cassette.

 

[Bodhbh]

Twice - one outright snapped once. Another time I had to break one after it got jammed between the frame and the chainring.

At the time I was getting alot of drivetrain components off eBay and mixing and matching stuff with unknown levels of wear. A recipe for problems and a false economy!

 

[Dan B]

Only ever on a cargo bike.

 

[Jenkins]

Never had a chain break, although I've had a couple of KMC quick links go - both were nine speed items.

 

[Salad Dodger]

I am neither a long distance cyclist, nor the type who leaves their bike chain rusty or untended. But a couple of years ago, I broke the chain on my MTB and was left with a couple of miles walk home as I never thought I would ever, in a million years, break a chain. So I didnt have a powerlink or a chain splitter.

But when I looked at the chain closely, several of the sideplates of the chain were cracked, so even if I had been able to put in a powerlink and limp the bike home, it would almost certainly have broken somewhere else before long.

Next time you are tinkering with your bike, really clean the chain and take a good careful look at it. You might just be surprised that it is about to fail......

 

[mrbikerboy73]

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'.

Well, I never have but I'm thinking it's time I did after reading this thread. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

 

[slowmotion]

The KMC chain that broke in Parliament Square was the first in about 30,000 miles. It wasn't at all worn twelve hours before because I checked the chain stretch and found it to be less than 0.5%. Unfortunately, I had recently taken the bike for a "Gear Service" at CycleSurgery, Shepherds Bush, London, a few days previously. On the ride, the chain ground continuously on the front derailler cage, fell off etc. It gave up the ghost about sixty five miles later. I can't blame KMC for that.

Do I hold a grudge against CycleSurgery, Shepherds Bush? Yes, absolutely!

 

[jefmcg]

'(Practice chain repairs on an old chain at home in comfort rather than trying to teach yourself at the roadside 1,400 ft up on a moor in heavy rain [whatever].)

This is good advice. I used my Topeak Hexus II to change my chain at home last night. Worked really well, except I needed a separate allen key to operate it. I had visions of flagging down another rider to borrow their 4mm allen key. Anyway, a quick google this morning showed me where the spare 4mm key is hidden in one of the tyre levers. And also that there was a chain hook that I completely missed.

Now I am ready for the next emergency (fingers crossed it doesn't happen!)