Awhile ago I crashed when my chain broke as I was accelerating out of the saddle. I was sore for days and sticky, itchy road rash was not fun at all. To top it off, I got a great big ding on my perfectly new frame. It plain-old sucked and it was 100% preventable.
I had noticed weeks earlier that my chain was a little “bumpy” when I lubed it. Meaning that some of the connecting pins were sticking out just a little bit. I ignored that. I also noticed that it made a funky sound when pedaling compared to other people I was riding with. I ignored that too. I even noticed how grimy and gritty it was getting even though I cleaned it almost every ride. Yeah, I even ignored that. I didn’t keep very good records and didn’t know how many miles I had ridden on it. I was ignoring my chain, but it was very clearly telling me to replace it.
Finally, I ignored it long enough and it snapped. Luckily all I got was some bruises, a ding on my bike and a little road rash. What’s your bike telling you?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Arlyn, any idea on how many miles a chain is supposed to be ridden before it is replaced?
Also, good use of the photo.
Judging by the piture, I think it has more to do with the consumption of Sierra Nevada by the mechanic then any flaw in the chain
Did your chain happen to have a master link? If so, did it snap at the master link? I would never leave the master link in my chain. Get yourself a good chain tool and simply pop out/in the pins.
Dave, there are chain tools you can purchase that will show you chain stretch (an indication of wear). Shimano recommends replacing your chain after between 0.075mm and 0.1mm of stretch.
Mark, good point on the master link – I learned that lesson once riding with you guys last year. I’ve abandoned master links since. The breaking point was just a normal factory connection.
ps: I purposely positioned my toolbox beneath the bottle opener
I appreciate that since the team is not yet sponsored by Sierra Nevada that you drop the bottle tops into the toolbox upside down. It’s even more impressive how you positioned them just so one could make out the brewer.
Did you take some of the bottle tops out? There were more than that the last time I saw it.
With the miles you logged last year, you were due for a new chain.