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

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 :(

Very sensible to get a new chain I think. Money well spent.

Well that chain lasted exactly two months

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5qd2vnassqwzw0m/20131001_225211.jpg

Here is a pic of the not so powerful power link :(

Huh, Just how old was the drivetrain originally?

Replaced everything 3 months ago. First chain lasted one month. This lasted 2
I am going to buy the strongest chain possible tomorrow.

How often do you ride on the big ring and cog?

Also do you put pressure on while changing gear?

Always ease off when changing gear.
I tell you what I think it was. Rear gear cable snapped on the way home last night so I had to get up Hampstead in the 11 tooth cog. Still you would expect a chain to be able to handle the force. I'm only 84 kgs ffs.
Only noticed when I was changing the cable. Luckily

Managed to purchase a nice gold power link instead of a new chain. Maybe this one will fare better

What brand of chain was it?

KMC chain

SRAM Power lock/link almost impossible to fit. That's 2 fucking days of using the stinking underground now because I am retarded. Going to just fuck it off and buy a new chain with a powerlink that does not require some sort of magic to get connected.
God I hate my road bike so much

Those make light work of removing them without fiddling.

Or get the Wipperman version which are a piece of piss to remove/install.

It's not getting it off that I am stuck at. It's getting the wretched thing on

Yeah I have been reading about these Wipperman links. But I hate not being on the bike and not sure where to get them from.
I just ordered one from Wiggle, hopefully it will be there by Saturday

hi was wondering if anyone could help me i have had some bad luck braking chains recently my chain line is only 1mm out now i have ordered new wheels as the old ones have had it a new freewheel i dont ride fixed my question is im going to be running a kmc 910 chain to a 3/32 freewheel on a stronglight crankset will said chain work any input welcomed thanks

What do you lube your chain with?

Just some bike chain oil I got from halfords

Who breaks and reassembles the chain on the bike? You? Do you really know how to do this?

It's easy to damage a chain when removing a rear wheel and letting it drop out of the dropouts and swing downwards, torqueing the chain nastily.

If the chain has "magic links" (ie you can join the chain without using any tools), then that's usually a weak point in the chain.

KMC are a reputable brand of chain, so mebbe you'll fare better now.

Quick links are fine. The 'weak' links are the ones that people install when they don't know what they're doing.

Just some bike chain oil I got from halfords

Is it wet or dry lube/oil?

Any mention of teflon/ptfe and it will 99% be dry. A day in the rain and most of that will have washed out/off.

Also have to agree about magic/quick links being fine, could have issues if you bent them when putting them on but no more than putting a pin back in badly with a breaker.

Just looked up the chain?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-k910-strong-316-chain/

You are going to have issues with it, 3/16 and 3/32 don't play nice together imo. You also won't be able to break the chain with most normal tools so expect to need a motorcycle chain breaker instead of a regular bike one.

3/32 1/8 3/16

Ok thanks mate looks like I'll have to order a 3/16 freewheel and the chain I have does have a Teflon coating but I wash the bike and oil the chain once a week

it appears 3/16 freewheels are rare as rocking horse shit so i have just ordered 1/8 chain instead cant be arsed to post the freewheel back easier to order a different chain

it appears 3/16 freewheels are rare as rocking horse shit so i have just ordered 1/8 chain instead cant be arsed to post the freewheel back easier to order a different chain

If you use a casette wheel with a conversion kit and double up on 3/32 rings it works well. Apart from that it was cool in bmx stuff a few years ago and then kinda died out as the chains aren't loads and loads better and the new trend of having much smaller sprockets has replaced it.

the only bmx i have ever owned was the raleigh burner custom i made last year lol

...If the chain has "magic links" (ie you can join the chain without using any tools), then that's usually a weak point in the chain...
Rubbish. I regularly use a chain with two quick links when time trialling: saves having a different chain for different gearing.

Quick links are fine. The 'weak' links are the ones that people install when they don't know what they're doing.

I agree I snapped mine the other day by badly re-fitting it.

Not sure if best place to ask, but i think its time to replace my langster chain. firstly what tool to check if its stretched? will it be a 1/8 chain? and what to get as a replacement?

when replacing if i shorten it by a couple of links from the original will this be an issue?

I wash the bike and oil the chain once a week

You don't need to oil the chain that regularly, chain usually come pre-lubed, so it'll last probably a month or two before it get dry, which is when it's worth oiling them.

Don't forget that having too much oil is also a bad thing as it allow dirt to get collected and accelerate the wear and tear too, only a tiny amount is needed and wipe it clean as much as possible.