Chain Problems

[Gags]

On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday and it was great.......smooth shifts.......brakes
that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although they are noisy as all hell.......think I need to
give them a bit of "toe in").

Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!

Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start to
peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??

Gags

 

[John Doe]

to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced
: under warranty) so I am wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97
: or so kg - easily over 100kg with loaded
backpack).
: Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??
:

I am 105kg and I have had it happen but I doubt it had anything to do with my weight. I ride
42km's a day on commute with hills. I had it happen when I must not have put it back on properly
after a chain clean. I found that it happened about 60 or so k's after I did it. I actually ended
up buying one of those cool links that you can do up and undo easily. I also keep one in my tool
kit... just in case.

 

[Nickzx6r]

Gags <drgagnon@nospam_ozemail.com.au> wrote:
> On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
> work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday and it was great.......smooth
> shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although they are noisy as all
> hell.......think I need to give them a bit of "toe in").

> Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
> spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
> sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!

> Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
> only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
> that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start
> to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
> wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
> 100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??

> Gags

Dunno whether this is a common thing or not - I've never known anyone who's broken a chain (except
in a crash).

But I doubt that the servicing had anything to do with it. Unless there was a specific reason, I
don't think they'd take the chain off for a service. Especially since after 1800kms it's probably
only cable adjustments that are needed.

Maybe you've just got _really_ strong legs

Cheers -Nick

 

[Nicholas & Domi]

"Gags" <drgagnon@nospam_ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:[email protected]... On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced
(first one after 1800km of commuting to and from work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday
and it was great.......smooth shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although
they are noisy as all hell.......think I need to give them a bit of "toe in").

Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!

Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start to
peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??

Gags

no offence but it's a little unlikely that it's your legs or weight - imagine the power Baden Cooke
is unleashing in a sprint.... I've seen a buddy snap a chain - he missed a shift and obviously the
chain recieved more sideward loading than it could cope with. In his instance it happened all at
once, but I'd imagine it'd be possible that you may have done the same while ago but the chain held
together until something, or just time, caused it to let go. Of course no product is perfect - maybe
you got a dud chain?

nick

 

[Deep Flayed Mar]

Gags <drgagnon@nospam_ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
> work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday
and
> it was great.......smooth shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up
in
> a hurry (although they are noisy as all hell.......think I need to give
them
> a bit of "toe in").
>
> Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and
the
> next thing I know I am spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One
of
> the links had come undone and my chain was sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!
>
> Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
> only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
> that they broke to
get
> the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link
start
> to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
> wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
> 100kg with loaded
backpack).
> Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??

I am around 90 kgs, and had broken the chain on my shogun about 3 times. Bought a new one, and have
had no probs since.

I wouldn't mess around if I were you. For about $25 you can get a good chain that should not break.
Anything cheaper than that is probably junk. You have done 1800 km? That might mean your rear gear
cluster will have to be replaced too. My bike had done about 1000 km, and didn't need a new cluster
with the new chain.

Whether you can pin it on the bike shop is a bit doubtful. Did they need to break the chain for any
particular reason? I avoid ever taking a chain off unless it is really necessary. The process of
pushing the pins in and out can often result in a damaged link, as may have happened in your case.
---
DFM

 

[Gary K]

Its not a common occurence, chains that are joined properly never break. You're weight isnt an
issue. I haven't had a chain breakage in 80,000km (not same chain), because I'm the only one who
joins them and make sure the job is done properly, with the right amount of pin protrusion on both
plates. ( I've had a few breakages before 10 years ago, when I was careless). I'd say your chain
broke at where the dufus joined it, as there's no reason to break elsewhere.

Gags <drgagnon@nospam_ozemail.com.au> wrote:

> On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
> work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday and it was great.......smooth
> shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although they are noisy as all
> hell.......think I need to give them a bit of "toe in").
>
> Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
> spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
> sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!
>
> Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
> only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
> that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start
> to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
> wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
> 100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??
>
> Gags

 

[Hippy]

> LOL. Yes well I have been through all the different methods before
and we
> have covered them at length in the NG before and I find that removal
is my
> personal preferred method. Its just what suits you the best I guess.

With a chain breaker, chain removal is a non-event.. too easy. Removing the chain also means you
don't get any cleaner on your bike frame, rear wheel or cranks.

hippy I would clean my chains more often if I wasn't so lazy I like the grinding noise anyway..
helps me calculate cadence ;-)

 

[Ray Peace]

Greetings, Yes, I have had similar problems on a tandem. The simplest solution is called a
chain-breaker, costs about $10 for a bike shop, then you can do it yourself, anywhere, anytime.
Regards, Ray.

Gags wrote:

>On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
>work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday and it was great.......smooth
>shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although they are noisy as all
>hell.......think I need to give them a bit of "toe in").
>
>Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
>spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
>sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!
>
>Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
>only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
>that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start
>to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
>wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
>100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??
>
>Gags

 

[amirm]

A few things that I can throw in:

1. My previous commuting bike came stock with a Shimano IG30 chain. After about 200 km, one day on my way back home I was waiting at the traffic light. Upon starting to push, I heard a clunk noise, and when I had a look, the joining pin had escaped one of the link plates, and because of the pressure, the othe link involved in that point was bent. The bike shop changed it under warranty, but notebly they said that certain Shimano joining pins were notorious for doing that, and they put some aftermarket (reliable) pin. Never had that problem again.

2. I doubt that they removed the chain for cleaning. Usually they do it on the bike. But you can still take the bike back. One way or other the repair should be covered under warranty (given that for most of brands they give 1 year warranty, and I hope you have got one).

3. If the pin on your broken chain (the pin at the broken link) is not lost, you may be able to see whether it is the one like all other pins in the chain, or is the one that they used to close the chain. All pins on the chain links will look identical except the one that is used by the mechanic/owner. It looks different. It's hard to describe, but if you see it, you can tell. That could help to see whether there was a fault with the chain, or with the way the put the chain together.

Originally posted by Gags
On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday and it was great.......smooth shifts.......brakes
that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although they are noisy as all hell.......think I need to
give them a bit of "toe in").

Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!

Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start to
peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??

Gags

 

[John Doe]

probably junk. You have
: done 1800 km? That might mean your rear gear cluster will have to be replaced too. My bike had
: done about 1000 km, and didn't need a new
cluster
: with the new chain.

You should not need a new cluster at 1800km unless you have been constantly riding through dirt and
mud with no cleaning. Anyway as I said if the pin is not replaced correctly then it can come out as
I have experienced.

:
: Whether you can pin it on the bike shop is a bit doubtful. Did they need
to
: break the chain for any particular reason? I avoid ever taking a chain off unless it is really
: necessary. The process of pushing the pins in and out can often result in a damaged link, as may
: have happened in your case.

I personally find it necessary to remove to clean it. I bought a removable link and keep one in my
tool bag for good measure. You can use this link to remove the chain and they are strong. I am 105kg
and have some steep kinks in the road that require me to really stand on it and I have never broken
the removable link. Constantly removing pins and putting them back in is probably asking for trouble
hence the link.

Pete

 

[John Doe]

Yes, I have had similar problems on a tandem. The
: simplest solution is called a chain-breaker, costs about $10 for a bike shop, then you can do it
: yourself, anywhere, anytime. Regards, Ray.

Agree. A chain breaker is a must on your carry on tools. You can get them very compact and I have
found it useful not just for me but others who I have come across with the problem.

Pete

 

[Gags]

Thanks for all the comments......I tried ringing the bike store tonight and they musta shut shop 10
min early cos I got no answer......will ring again tomorrow. I used to carry a chain breaker with me
on my old mountain bike as I pretty well only used it for off-road and didn't want to get stuck in
the middle of nowhere, but as I am now just riding on the Yarra trail to and from work, I put the
chain breaker back in the toolbox. A guy at work today said that he always carries a couple of zip
ties and a blade to trim them with.........reckons that they will get you home in an
emergency......sounds like a good idea, but I dunno about shifting gears??

On my old bike (with Shimano 7 spd cluster), I had the same chain for 7 years and I used the chain
breaker to take it off heaps of times for cleaning, re-using the same pin each time when I put it
back on. I have since been told that this is not a good idea and that there are special pins that
are slightly over-diameter and have a snap-off bit on the end??? (I have never seen one). The chain
I lost yesterday is a Shimano 9 spd.......it is only a guess, but perhaps they are a weaker chain
and more susceptible to lateral flex due to them being narrower????

Anyone got any recomendations for a new 9 spd chain???

Gags

"Gags" <drgagnon@nospam_ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced (first one after 1800km of commuting to and from
> work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday
and
> it was great.......smooth shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up
in
> a hurry (although they are noisy as all hell.......think I need to give
them
> a bit of "toe in").
>
> Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and
the
> next thing I know I am spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One
of
> the links had come undone and my chain was sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!
>
> Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
> only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
> that they broke to
get
> the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link
start
> to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
> wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
> 100kg with loaded
backpack).
> Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??
>
> Gags

 

[Jonas]

i'm with gary here... i've only seen chains snap when people are cranking through a gear
change. jonas

> Its not a common occurence, chains that are joined properly never break. You're weight isnt an
> issue. I haven't had a chain breakage in 80,000km (not same chain), because I'm the only one who
> joins them and make sure the job is done properly, with the right amount of pin protrusion on both
> plates. ( I've had a few breakages before 10 years ago, when I was careless). I'd say your chain
> broke at where the dufus joined it, as there's no reason to break elsewhere.
>
> "Gary K"

 

[Deep Flayed Mar]

John Doe <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%[email protected]...
> probably junk. You have
> : done 1800 km? That might mean your rear gear cluster will have to be replaced too. My bike had
> : done about 1000 km, and didn't need a new
> cluster
> : with the new chain.
>
> You should not need a new cluster at 1800km unless you have been
constantly
> riding through dirt and mud with no cleaning. Anyway as I said if the pin is not replaced
> correctly then it can come out as I have experienced.
>
> :
> : Whether you can pin it on the bike shop is a bit doubtful. Did they need
> to
> : break the chain for any particular reason? I avoid ever taking a chain
off
> : unless it is really necessary. The process of pushing the pins in and
out
> : can often result in a damaged link, as may have happened in your case.
>
>
> I personally find it necessary to remove to clean it.

I have been using the olive oil technique for cleaning, which does not require removal of the chain.
I simply apply plenty of olive oil to the chain (doesn't matter if you spill it everywhere), lay it
down in a shed somewhere overnight, and let the rats clean it up. It works brilliantly, and it very
easy to do. Sure beats using chemicals which you inevitably come in contact with.
---
DFM

 

[Hippy]

"Deep Flayed Mares" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:3BQ7b.2788
> I have been using the olive oil technique for cleaning, which does not require removal of the
> chain. I simply apply plenty of olive oil to
the
> chain (doesn't matter if you spill it everywhere), lay it down in a
shed
> somewhere overnight, and let the rats clean it up. It works
brilliantly, and
> it very easy to do. Sure beats using chemicals which you inevitably
come in
> contact with.

What if you don't have rats? Can you suggest an alternative? What about pouring VB all over the
chain so the local bogans will lick it clean? Should I use stubby or can?

hippy
- Before you all get offended.. I drink VB...
- but only when under the influence with impaired judgement

 

[John Doe]

What if you don't have rats?
: Can you suggest an alternative? What about pouring VB all over the chain so the local bogans will
: lick it clean? Should I use stubby or can?
:

LOL. Yes well I have been through all the different methods before and we have covered them at
length in the NG before and I find that removal is my personal preferred method. Its just what suits
you the best I guess.

Pete

 

[Glen F]

Where were all you guys who know about Shimano joiner pins breaking when I asked (
http://tinyurl.com/mym0 ) a few months back?

 

[Hippy]

"Glen F" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Where were all you guys who know about Shimano joiner pins breaking when I asked (
> http://tinyurl.com/mym0 ) a few months back?

I've never heard of the pins breaking and I've never had it happen personally. I've also re-used
pins to join chains also with no problems. I've recently fitted an SRAM joiner link to my
singlespeed chain and haven't had any issues with it yet (not a even a month old though).

hippy
- maybe I'm not powerful enough to break 'em?

 

[Arpit]

On Wed, 10 Sep 2003 22:09:10 +1000, "Nicholas & Domino" <[email protected]> wrote:

>
>"Gags" <drgagnon@nospam_ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]... On the weekend, I had my mountain bike serviced
>(first one after 1800km of commuting to and from work on the Yarra Trail). I rode to work on Monday
>and it was great.......smooth shifts.......brakes that actually pulled me up in a hurry (although
>they are noisy as all hell.......think I need to give them a bit of "toe in").
>
>Anyway, I was on my way home tonight, accelerating out of a corner, and the next thing I know I am
>spinning the pedals and nothing is happening. One of the links had come undone and my chain was
>sitting on the bike path!!!!!!!
>
>Should I blame the bike shop for not joining the chain properly after the service given that I had
>only done 78km since the service??? Or is it possible that one of the other links (ie. not the one
>that they broke to get the chain off) spontaneously decided to give way?? I did have a link start
>to peel apart on my road bike last year in Canberra (chain was replaced under warranty) so I am
>wondering if it is a common occurence for bigger guys (I am 195cm and 97 or so kg - easily over
>100kg with loaded backpack). Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem for heavier people??
>
>Gags
>
>
>no offence but it's a little unlikely that it's your legs or weight - imagine the power Baden Cooke
>is unleashing in a sprint.... I've seen a buddy snap a chain - he missed a shift and obviously the
>chain recieved more sideward loading than it could cope with. In his instance it happened all at
>once, but I'd imagine it'd be possible that you may have done the same while ago but the chain held
>together until something, or just time, caused it to let go.
*shrug* it happens, ive broken chains on bmx bikes, and they are supposed to be pretty stong.
>Of course no product is perfect - maybe you got a dud chain?
>
>nick

 

[Andrew Swan]

Gags wrote: <snip>
>
> Anyone got any recomendations for a new 9 spd chain???
>
> Gags
<snip>

One of my LBSes swears by Wippermans and doesn't even sell Shimanos any more. I've only had my Wipp
for a month or two now, but it seems fine and the little hand-openable link has got to be a bonus
when it comes time for cleaning - no chain-breaker, no inserting a new pin each time, no tight
links, etc.

&roo