Chain down, chain down - chain snap, snapped chain, chain break, broken chains

buy one of these

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25432

I've been running one for over a year, alot of miles, fixed, brakeless and I'm a heavy bloke that rides pretty hard. Still going strong.

The idea of a chain snapping is a pretty scary one for me, I cannot recommend that KMC one enough.

I was thinking of buying this chain. What kind of Masterlink/connector thing does it have?

It has one like this

As I said, I've had no troubles at all, now running them on 2 bikes, original still going strong.

+1, but I get them from Parker International: Looks like its the same, but half the price:-) Been using them on all my bikes for quite a while and never had a problem.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/6104/KMC-Z510-Silver-1-8--Track-Chain.html

At that price I will definitely have to buy one.

click for huge

On my 6 month old Alfine 11 geared Dawes, which has done no more than 500 miles. My fault for being a fat bastard, Evans failing to put it together properly (again) or a genuine manufacturing defect?

Crikey. I've never seen a chain sheared like that.

That does not look like a putting the chain back together fail. Manufacturing defect or mebbe something getting flicked up into the cog/chain and sheering it. I hear they're getting problems with destructive metal objects laying in the streets in the Pyrenees right now, so could be something like that.

Should be able to claim that one on warranty I reckon.

KMC Kool Chain K710. Luckily nothing happened when I was riding, but it's still pretty disconcerting. Don't really understand why that would happen. The KMC chains have a good reputation, I've taken good care of it and it's only 6 months old. Can't have been installation error, since it's nowhere near where I shortened the chain.

Do I just replace the link and keep on going, or do I need something stronger?

One of the links came away from it's pin on the way home this evening. I was standing up really pushing it, the next thing I knew I was battling the bike to stay upright and away from the oncoming traffic. It was pretty hairy for a second but I managed to come away with just a very bruised thigh and cut ankle (why s it always the ankle).
I replaced the chainset about 2 months ago. Does this sound like an installation fail on my behalf? Chain has no power link so you have to fuck about with chaintool when it is on the bike. I was extra careful when I replaced the broken links tonight to make sure there were no raised pins or tight or loose links.

One of the links came away from it's pin on the way home this evening. I was standing up really pushing it, the next thing I knew I was battling the bike to stay upright and away from the oncoming traffic. It was pretty hairy for a second but I managed to come away with just a very bruised thigh and cut ankle (why s it always the ankle).
I replaced the chainset about 2 months ago. Does this sound like an installation fail on my behalf? Chain has no power link so you have to fuck about with chaintool when it is on the bike. I was extra careful when I replaced the broken links tonight to make sure there were no raised pins or tight or loose links.

What chain is it?

It does sound like an install fail but do you know if it failed at the join point?

One of the links came away from it's pin on the way home this evening. I was standing up really pushing it, the next thing I knew I was battling the bike to stay upright and away from the oncoming traffic. It was pretty hairy for a second but I managed to come away with just a very bruised thigh and cut ankle (why s it always the ankle).
I replaced the chainset about 2 months ago. Does this sound like an installation fail on my behalf? Chain has no power link so you have to fuck about with chaintool when it is on the bike. I was extra careful when I replaced the broken links tonight to make sure there were no raised pins or tight or loose links.

take your create back to the shop you bought it from and get a refund mike

It's a Shimano Ultrega HG 9 speed chain.
I have no way of knowing if it failed at the join point. That was my first thought. How would I know when it comes with a pin you need to snap off after joining? I don't get why there is no power link on these chains

I was a bit nervous cycling in this morning to be honest. Wary about putting the power down. Maybe I should buy a new chain with a decent link for piece of mind

The link pin is different from the rest. It doesn't have a dimple and is a different colour. The powerlink is a SRAM proprietary feature they got when they bought Sedis/Sachs. That's why I use SRAM.

You have to do it right, but there are many different rules depending on your chain:

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/tech_tips.download.-Par50rparsys-0030-downloadFile.html/03)%20Chain%20Installation.pdf

Yes I had a look at that guide last night thanks. The connecting pin was definitely the same colour though.
Now it doesn't have a 'connecting pin' as such, just a normal pin where I replaced the broken parts, should it be stronger/weakeror no different provided I installed it OK?

Shimano suggest you don't reuse the pins, you use their special pins.

KMC chains with power links on my bikes but I never had any issues with Shimano chains when I used them (with their special pins).

Shimano are notriously cautious. But this reliance on special pins seems like a disaster waiting to happen. The ends of the normal pins are mushroomed so they can't pull out. If you push one out with a chain tool then you remove the edge of the mushroom, making it more likely that the chain with fail at that point. You have to buy special pins each time you break the chain.

thats the one bit of bike mechanic-ing that i hate breaking and re making chains
surely someone can come up with a better solution .... and not the carbon / kevlar belt option

Shimano are notriously cautious. But this reliance on special pins seems like a disaster waiting to happen. The ends of the normal pins are mushroomed so they can't pull out. If you push one out with a chain tool then you remove the edge of the mushroom, making it more likely that the chain with fail at that point. You have to buy special pins each time you break the chain.

So I am riding an unsafe chain at the moment? In that case I better go and buy a new one.
Cheers for the info. I don't feel I will go with Shimano again.
Can anyone recommend a decent strong chain compatible with Shimano Ultrega cassette / FSA chain rings 9 speed

Thanks

thats the one bit of bike mechanic-ing that i hate breaking and re making chains
surely someone can come up with a better solution .... and not the carbon / kevlar belt option

Was constantly doing it at the track on NJS chains :)
Got used to it after a while. First few attempts ended is disaster and mass frustration!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25423

Cheers Hippy.
Will order one now

You can buy KMC and BBB quick links that work with any chain

and SRAM - they're supposed to be used once but they are a butt-load easier than KMC ones to fit.

Already ordered the new chain. As I can't identify which link is the one I replaced.
I don't want to compromise on safety. It was a very close call yesterday, especially as there was an HGV coming towards me and I could easily have gone under it. Luckily I really did not have time to dwell on it.
I always wondered what happens when a chain snaps under a large force. Now I know :(