Stupid mechanic errors you have made

[Venod]

I have put a chain on without threading it through the derailleur correctly, it was on the outside of the small tab that sits just above the bottom pully, I have done this more than once, what's more worrying is I used to mend things for a living.

 

[DaveReading]

It's really odd. Sometimes they come apart easily just by squeezing the plates and sliding the links.......other times they refuse to budge. There are a few Youtube clips out there showing how to be clever by using the chain ring and whacking them.
I bought the quick link tool.

Remembering that the "whack" should only be directed at one of the two sideplates, otherwise it's pointless ...

I've never owned a quicklink tool, nor needed one.

 

[Alex321]

Must admit I just count the links on the chain I have taken off if like for like swap (no change of crankset / cassette teeth amount)

Yep. That's what I do as well.

 

[ianrauk]

I have put a chain on without threading it through the derailleur correctly

I think its a passage of rite for every tinkering cyclist

 

[Dogtrousers]

If it's a worn out chain being removed I may use a chain tool to drive out a rivet rather than opening the quick link. Otherwise I use quick link pliers. All depends if I can find the pliers.

I have read of a roadside method that involves hitting the link with a rock. Fortunately I've never been in a situation where that was needed.

 

[figbat]

A few little ones:

• bought a new wheel, set it up tubeless, fitted the cassette and then put it the bike very happy how well it had gone. Then realised I hadn't fitted the brake disc.
• assembling a vintage bike after restoration did the thing where the front fork was 180° out when I fitted the stem
• tried to join a chain with a quick link, found it impossible and gave up. Later realised you have to take half a link out rather than having a male-to-female on each end

I have loads more on cars and motorbikes.

 

[fossyant]

Did one of the most stupid things you can do with a fixie. Mickling the chain, but holding the chain at the bottom whilst spinning the crank forward - hand/fingers get dragged towards the rear sprocket - fortunately I was going slowly, otherwise I'd be missing the end of a finger. It has happened to people.

 

[cougie uk]

Yep. That's what I do as well.

Yes I get newspaper out and lay the chains down. It's amazing to see how much they have stretched.

 

[cougie uk]

Did one of the most stupid things you can do with a fixie. Mickling the chain, but holding the chain at the bottom whilst spinning the crank forward - hand/fingers get dragged towards the rear sprocket - fortunately I was going slowly, otherwise I'd be missing the end of a finger. It has happened to people.

Oh. I've almost done that too. Very dangerous.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Yes I get newspaper out and lay the chains down. It's amazing to see how much they have stretched.

Ditto. And I count the links several times before cutting the new chain to length. However, because I am hopeless it's possible that I make an error each time and my chains are slowly getting longer ... or shorter.

 

[cougie uk]

Ditto. And I count the links several times before cutting the new chain to length. However, because I am hopeless it's possible that I make an error each time and my chains are slowly getting longer ... or shorter.

If you keep the leftovers you'll soon have enough for another chain...

Although I'm sure the last chain I bought was nowhere near as long as they used to be.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Cleaning the chain once (a long time ago), spinning the cranks backwards, got distracted by one of the dogs

Sudden stop, & searing pain
I’d managed to drag/trap my index finger between the big-ring & the derailleur

Nail downwards, so l had to turn cranks to get it out, then pull the finger off the ring-teeth

I met up with a mate just beyond leeds Bradford airport.

Got CX bike out put both wheels in and off we went down poole bank 1/4 hill squeezed brake levers - nothing fast faster faster red traffic lights ..

Feet down slowed the bike enough to put it into the verge minor gravel rash but could have been so much worse.

Not a good road to do that on!!!!!

On the bright side, at least it wasn’t East Chevin!!!

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Did one of the most stupid things you can do with a fixie. Mickling the chain, but holding the chain at the bottom whilst spinning the crank forward - hand/fingers get dragged towards the rear sprocket - fortunately I was going slowly, otherwise I'd be missing the end of a finger. It has happened to people.

I've done that twice, still got all my fingers though.

 

[figbat]

Ooh, another quick-link related one. I got the link together loosely OK and proceeded to press on the crank to pull it shut. No amount of pushing, stomping or swearing would close it and of course it kept jumping loose. Then I realised the link was on the lower run of the chain.

 

[Profpointy]

Did one of the most stupid things you can do with a fixie. Mickling the chain, but holding the chain at the bottom whilst spinning the crank forward - hand/fingers get dragged towards the rear sprocket - fortunately I was going slowly, otherwise I'd be missing the end of a finger. It has happened to people.

I winced at that and have done similar, thankfully not seriously.
Now oiling a motorbike chain with the bike on the stand in first gear on tickover could go very badly indeed !