Chain repair & quality

[JacquesT]

Hi guys

 

recently the LBS replaced my chain on my anthem X1 as according to them it was badly worn. +- 1.5 years old (ridden 2x per week)

 

After only a few rides on the new chain it broke. Luckily i had a spare snap on link and was away again in ten minutes. My question is are there different quality chains or are they pretty standard ? and secondly can i continue to use the chain with the repair or is this regarded as a temporary repair only?

 

Is it likely that a chain can break after only a few rides? Should i be expecting the LBS to replace it for free or must i just accept as bad luck?

 

Thanks

[AndreZA]

Most chains that's made from steel are the same. Some have cut aways and some hollow pins and others are chromed.

 

The quicklink is fine for a permanent fix as long as you have removed the one link it replaced.

[Li Mu Bai]

if your chain is going to snap after being fitted it most likely happens in the first 20km of riding. there after is should be good till worn (or overpowered in the wrong gear)

 

buy a chain checker tool (BBB or Park Tool) and this will give a good indication when the chain is stretched and worn, and when it starts to affect the teeth of your cassette.

Dont over wash your chain either (ie soaking it in parafin/engine cleaner) it needs the deep seated lube it is supplied with, or it wears faster and your lube wont get in where it counts.

keep your drive train clean and it lasts longer too (less grinding paste = longer life)

 

use Sram chains supplied with powerlinks = very user friendly for cleaning/servicing/emergencies

[JacquesT]

Thanks. Yip, removed the bad link.

 

Sounds like all normal and i will just make sure i always keep spare links.

[The_Break]

Thanks. Yip, removed the bad link.

 

Sounds like all normal and i will just make sure i always keep spare links.

 

My only experience with broken chains is due to people/shops who don't know that you get different pins for different chains. Most shops I have visited seem to think that all 10spd chains use the same pin, which is not true and if too short a pin is used on a chain it can de-link and then it will most probably fail.

 

A lot of shops also break the pin on the outside which can cause noise everytime the pin moves past the front derailler (shold always be broken off on the inside of the chain.

 

Some shops also fit chains bawards in that a join has the outer linkfacing "forward" so that if it comes loose and stick out it will get caught in the deaillers and get broken off. The outer link should always be on the trailing side so that it cannot stick out and get broken off. I.e. the outer link should be facing in the opposite direction to chain travel.

[GuyP]

Sounds like all normal and i will just make sure i always keep spare links.

 

Good one. Even my wife insists on riding with spare LINKS!