Timeline for What am I supposed to do when my chain breaks?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
7 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Nov 9, 2011 at 4:29 | comment | added | zenbike | In an ideal world, you shouldn't use links from one chain o repair another chain. As an emergency fix, absolutely. Do what you've got to do. But if the wear patterns on the replacement links are not within a sufficiently small tolerance of the wear pattern on the chain they are being used to repair, it can cause shifting issues, chain skips, and occasional chain breakage. And every time a chain beaks while riding, you risk significant damage to your rear wheel, your derailleurs, and possibly your frame. As Crowley said, this is a good emergency fix, but the chain should be replaced ASAP. | |
| Nov 3, 2011 at 11:51 | comment | added | Daniel R Hicks | Yeah, on long rides I carry baby wipes for another reason. Have used them to clean up after chain work, though. | |
| Nov 3, 2011 at 3:25 | comment | added | Goodbye Stack Exchange | Pack baby wipes, they get the grease off your hands. Rubber gloves always tear when I try to use them to work on a bike. | |
| Nov 2, 2011 at 15:32 | comment | added | Daniel R Hicks | If done properly, and the replacement pieces are not too badly worn, then there's no reason why the repair shouldn't last until the chain as a whole needs replacement. In fact, you can save the spare links when your chain is replaced, to have replacement pieces, so the replacement piece need not be worn at all. | |
| Nov 2, 2011 at 12:06 | comment | added | Crowley | I'd recommend this repair as emergency. After returning home or passing by a shop, buy new one ASAP, broken/stretched chain and different types may damage your gears. | |
| Nov 2, 2011 at 11:49 | comment | added | Brian Knoblauch | I agree, no need for rubber gloves. In the Summer (at least where I live) there's always grass somewhere nearby to wipe your hands on. In the Winter time snow and whatever clothing I'm wearing works pretty well together for hand cleaning when you get them greasy. | |
| Nov 2, 2011 at 11:08 | history | answered | Daniel R Hicks | CC BY-SA 3.0 |