Shimano chain snap

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link.

Then this pin wasn't put in properly.

I tried putting it back together

Quoted message said:

with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Of course. They can't be reused.

Quoted message said:

The chain is a Shimano HG73 for a 9 speed. The links have HG and
CN-HG73 printed on them.

I had cleaned up my bike last night in anticipation of the trip. Took
off the chain, degreased it, oiled it up. Also cleaned up my sprockets
and chainrings. Usual stuff, have done it several times in the past.

Every time you remove the chain from your bike you have to use a new
special connection pin and never break the chain at this connection pin
the next time. Advice: leave the chain on the bike or get a quick link.

Quoted message said:

I'm going to take the chain to my bike shop this week, but I was
wondering if anyone here had any recommendations of what I should do.
I've been using the bike for a few months, and I've probably not done
more than 1000km (600mi).

That is not much.

Quoted message said:

Should I replace the chain?

No

Quoted message said:

If so, should I replace the cassette as
well? There's not much wear on either of them.

Certainly not.

Quoted message said:

I see online that it's possible to get replacement pins for my specific
chain.

You MUST use a new special connection pin

Is it likely that my pin is now ruined?

Not the pin but the outerplates of the link.

Quoted message said:

It came free from the
chain completely when it snapped. Can a new pin save me from getting a
new chain?

Once again never break the chain at the special pin and use a new
special connection pin each time you break the chain.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Nathan said:

my chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

The chain is a Shimano HG73 for a 9 speed. The links have HG and
CN-HG73 printed on them.

I had cleaned up my bike last night in anticipation of the trip. Took
off the chain, degreased it, oiled it up. Also cleaned up my sprockets
and chainrings. Usual stuff, have done it several times in the past.

I've been using the bike for a few months, and I've probably not done
more than 1000km (600mi).

Should I replace the chain? If so, should I replace the cassette as
well? There's not much wear on either of them.

I see online that it's possible to get replacement pins for my specific
chain. Is it likely that my pin is now ruined?

Did you re-use the special pin? If so, that's the problem. The special pin
should be never be removed after being installed. Each time you remove the
chain, you should remove a regular pin and replace it with a brand new
special pin.

There is no need to replace your cassette. As a minimum, you will have to
remove the damaged link on your chain. If your chain is long enough, you
could just remove the damaged link and re-join the chain with a new special
pin. To determine chain length see:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html#chain

If you're going to remove your chain frequently, you would be better off
with an SRAM quick removal link.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/power-links.html

Art Harris

If you've always broken the chain at the special pin (BAD! Never break
it there!), then used the same pin to rejoin the chain, then you've been
living a charmed life!

You're especially lucky that, when it snapped, you neither crashed from
pedalling air, nor did the chain whip around and take out spokes, remove
some paint from the frame, etc.

The outer plates on that link are toast. As you would need to remove
the inner link to which that link is attached, your chain may be shorter
than optimum. That can get you home, but it's probably not ideal for a
long lasting solution. Find a SRAM gold link to rejoin the chain, or
replace it. If you buy a properly packaged Shimano chain, it should
come with two replacement pins and directions. Read those, use one of
the special pins to install it, then don't lose the second one.

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

The chain is a Shimano HG73 for a 9 speed. The links have HG and
CN-HG73 printed on them.

I had cleaned up my bike last night in anticipation of the trip. Took
off the chain, degreased it, oiled it up. Also cleaned up my sprockets
and chainrings. Usual stuff, have done it several times in the past.

On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 13:32:48 +0200, Lou Holtman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote:

Quoted message said:

Every time you remove the chain from your bike you have to use a new
special connection pin and never break the chain at this connection pin
the next time. Advice: leave the chain on the bike or get a quick link.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Should I replace the chain?

No

He might have to, since that one particular link is now ruined at the
sideplates and can't be reused even with a new special pin, which leads to
a shorter chain by one link -- if the chain was sized correctly, that
means a too short chain. Or he can get two snaplinks, I suppose, and
install them side by side.

Quoted message said:

You MUST use a new special connection pin

Quoted message said:

It came free from the
chain completely when it snapped. Can a new pin save me from getting a
new chain?

Once again never break the chain at the special pin and use a new
special connection pin each time you break the chain.

This is why the special-connection-pin thing sucks so hard.

Jasper

Hi folks, I appreciate the quick replies. And yes, I do feel fortunate
to have my nads in one piece.

Just to clarify, as not everyone is saying the same thing (or rather,
some leave things out):
If I want to keep using the chain, I should remove the link that
snapped, and buy some new special pins. But when I break the chain in
future to remove it, I should break it in a different place AND use a
new special pin each time? i.e. I can't just use a new special pin at
the same link each time?

After reading all the posts, I'll likely track down a SRAM Gold
Powerlink to replace the snapped link. Then I can forget about using
the chain breaker when I need to take off the chain for maintenance.

Thanks again,
Nathan

Jasper Janssen said:

On Sun, 25 Sep 2005 13:32:48 +0200, Lou Holtman <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

[email hidden] wrote:

Quoted message said:

Every time you remove the chain from your bike you have to use a new
special connection pin and never break the chain at this connection pin
the next time. Advice: leave the chain on the bike or get a quick link.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Should I replace the chain?

No

He might have to, since that one particular link is now ruined at the
sideplates and can't be reused even with a new special pin, which leads to
a shorter chain by one link -- if the chain was sized correctly, that
means a too short chain. Or he can get two snaplinks, I suppose, and
install them side by side.

Quoted message said:

You MUST use a new special connection pin

Quoted message said:

It came free from the
chain completely when it snapped. Can a new pin save me from getting a
new chain?

Once again never break the chain at the special pin and use a new
special connection pin each time you break the chain.

This is why the special-connection-pin thing sucks so hard.

Jasper

I hate those things. I'd replace the missing link with a SRAM Powerlink,
then after the chain dies buy a SRAM instead. I quit buying Shimano
chains long ago.

Quoted message said:

Just to clarify, as not everyone is saying the same thing (or rather,
some leave things out):
If I want to keep using the chain, I should remove the link that
snapped, and buy some new special pins. But when I break the chain in
future to remove it, I should break it in a different place AND use a
new special pin each time? i.e. I can't just use a new special pin at
the same link each time?

Yep, that's the drill. When you push out an original pin, the sideplates
get weakened, so you have to replace with a slightly larger special pin,
but if you then remove the special pin, the sideplates get weakened
further and there's no way to get them back togerther properly again, so
the next time you use another place and the special pin there.

If you remove your chain often, a special link thingy is the way to go.

Jasper

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Quoted message said:

Should I replace the chain?

Yes, get an SRAM chain. Many of us have discovered the hard way that
it's just not worth dicking around with Shimano chains.

Other than chains, I'm a big fan if Shimano components...

"Peter Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Quoted message said:

Should I replace the chain?

Yes, get an SRAM chain. Many of us have discovered the hard way that it's
just not worth dicking around with Shimano chains.

Other than chains, I'm a big fan if Shimano components...

Interesting,
I also use a Sram chains (PC-59), and I've heard stories of the powerlink
(quick disconnect) coming lose, but I have never had one disengage yet, or
physically seen a quick disconnect link come lose while riding with fellow
cyclist, but the thought is sometimes there when climbing steep hills.
-tom

Quoted message said:

I'm going to take the chain to my bike shop this week, but I was
wondering if anyone here had any recommendations of what I should do.
I've been using the bike for a few months, and I've probably not done
more than 1000km (600mi).

Should I replace the chain? If so, should I replace the cassette as
well? There's not much wear on either of them.

I see some have recommended replacing the (now damaged) link with a
SRAM Powerlink. Let me recommend my personal favorite, the Forster
(nee Craig) Super Link. See:
lickbike.comproductpage.aspxOpen ↗

If you go with the Super Link as opposed to the Powerlink you'll never
know what you'll be missing the first time you disconnect it. ;-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Is this the chain that came with your bike? If so, it's likely the "special
pin" is not the two-stage Shimano pin that comes with separate non-oe
chains. I have yet to see a properly-installed two-stage pin fail; it's a
near-bombproof design. But factory-installed chains fail frequently, because
they use an alternative semi-approved way of connecting the pins... a pin
that's neither the standard one they're made with, nor the two-stage, so it
does appear differently (the head will be flat) and in a perfect world they
work, but imperfection often rears its ugly head.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

The chain is a Shimano HG73 for a 9 speed. The links have HG and
CN-HG73 printed on them.

I had cleaned up my bike last night in anticipation of the trip. Took
off the chain, degreased it, oiled it up. Also cleaned up my sprockets
and chainrings. Usual stuff, have done it several times in the past.

I'm going to take the chain to my bike shop this week, but I was
wondering if anyone here had any recommendations of what I should do.
I've been using the bike for a few months, and I've probably not done
more than 1000km (600mi).

Should I replace the chain? If so, should I replace the cassette as
well? There's not much wear on either of them.

I see online that it's possible to get replacement pins for my specific
chain. Is it likely that my pin is now ruined? It came free from the
chain completely when it snapped. Can a new pin save me from getting a
new chain?

Thanks for the help!
Nathan

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Is this the chain that came with your bike? If so, it's likely the
"special pin" is not the two-stage Shimano pin that comes with separate
non-oe chains. I have yet to see a properly-installed two-stage pin fail;
it's a near-bombproof design. But factory-installed chains fail
frequently, because they use an alternative semi-approved way of
connecting the pins... a pin that's neither the standard one they're made
with, nor the two-stage, so it does appear differently (the head will be
flat) and in a perfect world they work, but imperfection often rears its
ugly head.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Just curious, who would be liable if a chain snapped at the disconnect link
on a newly purchased bike and the rider got seriously injured?
-tom

I've never had one disengage on a road bike, but it happened on my
mountain bike. My chain went slack on a very rocky downhill. The link
came out and the chain came off. I spent about 15 minutes trying to
find the link pieces with no luck. Now I carry two spares.

"Peter Van Buren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've never had one disengage on a road bike, but it happened on my
mountain bike. My chain went slack on a very rocky downhill. The link
came out and the chain came off. I spent about 15 minutes trying to
find the link pieces with no luck. Now I carry two spares.

It's probably a good idea to carry a spare. I don't do it, but I think I'll
start.
-tom

Tom Nakashima said:

"Peter Cole" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Quoted message said:

Should I replace the chain?

Yes, get an SRAM chain. Many of us have discovered the hard way that it's
just not worth dicking around with Shimano chains.

Other than chains, I'm a big fan if Shimano components...

Interesting,
I also use a Sram chains (PC-59), and I've heard stories of the powerlink
(quick disconnect) coming lose, but I have never had one disengage yet, or
physically seen a quick disconnect link come lose while riding with fellow
cyclist, but the thought is sometimes there when climbing steep hills.
-tom

I don't think they would come apart under load, but I've never had one
come apart under any circumstances. I started using the original "Craig"
quick links, but have used the SRAM ones since they started including
them. I much prefer the original design, but not enough to bother buying
them separately. Back when I used the Craigs, I would leave them on (for
more than one chain) until they were very worn. The only chain I have
ever had break on me was a Shimano.

Quoted message said:

Just curious, who would be liable if a chain snapped at the disconnect
link on a newly purchased bike and the rider got seriously injured?
-tom

A chain is no different from any other part of a bicycle. If the chain
failed at the point where the factory installed a connecting pin, that's no
different from any other defect elsewhere on the bike. Assuming, of course,
the chain wasn't "helped" to break (which can happen if it's not properly
taken care of, or was torn apart by a gnarly shift, which have certainly
been known to cause failures elsewhere on a chain, and 1 in 112 times, such
a failure is likely to occur at the point where it's connecting, just by
random chance).

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA

"Tom Nakashima" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This morning, on the way to meet up with friends for a bike trip, my
chain snapped at the special pin link. I tried putting it back together
with my chain tool, but it snapped again when
testing it on an uphill.

Is this the chain that came with your bike? If so, it's likely the
"special pin" is not the two-stage Shimano pin that comes with separate
non-oe chains. I have yet to see a properly-installed two-stage pin fail;
it's a near-bombproof design. But factory-installed chains fail
frequently, because they use an alternative semi-approved way of
connecting the pins... a pin that's neither the standard one they're made
with, nor the two-stage, so it does appear differently (the head will be
flat) and in a perfect world they work, but imperfection often rears its
ugly head.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Just curious, who would be liable if a chain snapped at the disconnect
link on a newly purchased bike and the rider got seriously injured?
-tom

Tom Nakashima said:

"Peter Van Buren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've never had one disengage on a road bike, but it happened on my
mountain bike. My chain went slack on a very rocky downhill. The link
came out and the chain came off. I spent about 15 minutes trying to
find the link pieces with no luck. Now I carry two spares.

It's probably a good idea to carry a spare. I don't do it, but I think I'll
start.

It is actually one of the strong points of this technique. Break a chain?
Re-link it in a few seconds, just the time to find the link in your
toolkit, eventually some fiddling to remove whatever is left of the broken
link, and off you go.

I never throw away the old links. They all end up in my toolkit (or in my
friends'😉. They are still able to bring you back home :-)

P.S. Never lost a link to date, ~5 years of usage.

Ciao,
--
Roberto Divia` Love at first sight is one of the greatest
Dep:PH Bat:53 Mailbox:C02110 labour-saving devices the world has ever seen
Route de Meyrin 385 ---------------------------------------------
Case Postale Phone: +41-22-767-4994
CH-1211 Geneve 23 CERN Fax: +41-22-767-9585
Switzerland E-Mail: [email hidden]

"Roberto Divia" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tom Nakashima said:

"Peter Van Buren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

I never throw away the old links. They all end up in my toolkit (or in my
friends'😉. They are still able to bring you back home :-)

I've been tossing my used powerlinks with the old chain, but will probably
start saving those links now. I haven't been carrying spares because I
never had one disengage on me, but after reading and hearing that there have
been a few instances of them coming apart, and not always having luck
finding the pieces, thought it might be best to carry a spare. I'm not so
worried about walking home, that I am having the link coming apart and
getting in an accident. I had a friend get hit by a car's mirror when his
derailleur over shifted and the chain came off the front chainring as he
lost control and veered his bike into the car. Lucky he wasn't going that
fast and neither was the car, but he still got knocked off the bike.

Someone mentioned they replace the powerlink when it becomes worn. How does
one know when the powerlink becomes worn?
-tom

Tom Nakashima said:

Someone mentioned they replace the powerlink when it becomes worn. How does
one know when the powerlink becomes worn?

I replace them together with the chain...

Ciao,
--
Roberto Divia` Love at first sight is one of the greatest
Dep:PH Bat:53 Mailbox:C02110 labour-saving devices the world has ever seen
Route de Meyrin 385 ---------------------------------------------
Case Postale Phone: +41-22-767-4994
CH-1211 Geneve 23 CERN Fax: +41-22-767-9585
Switzerland E-Mail: [email hidden]