Road Cycling - Busted my chain "en route" to work...

...and nearly took out my manhood!!! :eek: I somehow managed to unclip both feet at the same time and slide ala waterski style through the intersection over street car tracks while resting my choda on the top tube. Could have been ugly. If there was ever an arguement for compact frames, here's one for ya. I laughed a bit when I reached the corner and got onto the sidewalk. Time for a new chain me thinks, even though this one should still have plenty of life in it. This is the second time in a year I've done this. Must be my uber powerful legs or something or other... :p ;)

Ouch?

To me, it sounds more like a cheap chain.

To me, it sounds more like a cheap chain.

Sure, if you consider Dura Ace cheap I suppose... :rolleyes:

Sure, if you consider Dura Ace cheap I suppose... :rolleyes:

How old was the chain? Had it been checked lately?

(sigh). For the record... I regularily clean and inspect my chain for wear. I even have a Park chain check tool which I consult with pretty much everytime I clean my drive train, which I try not to let go more then two to three weeks. (Work + family life really cut into maintenance time.) The chain itself was only two months old with barely 500 k's on it.

Really, this was only meant as a funny story to share, about my nads close encounter with my top tube. Don't take it too seriously

The mechanic at my LBS, at my insistance- sold me a Park chain checker..I am a fanatic about my chain..Find myself cross threading more than I would like.
But, I used the chain checker..Thought I needed a new chain...The mechanic says they keep changing the design of the checker, because they are not accurate?
Once rode in, wanting my chain replaced.. It was ok..
He says there is no more reliable means of checking the chain other than measurement with a ruler.
One thing we need be more conscientous about checking/knowing...When plates show damage.
I want my touring /commute bike to be in excellant shape.. I commute on it..Fear my boss would love to attack my cycle/commute should it cause me to be late.

"Must be my uber powerful legs or something or other... "
Well, since you've described your chain as nearly new, very well maintained, and of a known quality brand, it leaves no doubt that the problem is over developed leg muscles. I'd try spending more time playing computer games, watching TV, or going for leisurely drives in an SUV.

zealot-

Would your boss give someone a hard time if they were late because their car broke down? If not, and he gives you a hard time becaue your bike breaks down, that would make him/her an a@@hole. If he/she were to do something like fire you for this lateness, when he has not done that to a car commuter, that would be grounds for a lawsuit for wrongful termination.

I never use shimaNO chains or reccomend them for this reason exactly, but what do I know I have busted shimaNO chains after installation, and on customers bikes test riding them. Switch to SRAM, Wipperman, or KMC any of those will last longer.

A friend of mine just had a Shimano chain break on him...the plate broke so it had nothing to do with the install. If you ask me, it sounds like a defect.

...snip ... Must be my uber powerful legs or something or other... :p ;)

This thread was worth a read if only for the use of the word "uber." Kudos to you sir.

-mark

A friend of mine just had a Shimano chain break on him...the plate broke so it had nothing to do with the install. If you ask me, it sounds like a defect.

I do not buy that at all. Like I said I break shimaNO chains. I also know of two other people who will break shimaNO chains. They are weak that is it.

I do not buy that at all. Like I said I break shimaNO chains. I also know of two other people who will break shimaNO chains. They are weak that is it.

Well, in a way I took your advice Hunter and picked up a SRAM chain this afternoon. I used to use SRAM chains regularily until I bought my roadie with its 105 grouppo and thought it best to stick with Shimano parts. Well, I've never busted a SRAM powerlink chain like the Shimano ones so we shall see what happens.

Thats all for now.

Just remember if you get a SRAM PC99 its a hollowlink road chain technically... I actually use one on my MTB w/ 0 problems so far but if you are a hoss on the bike the PC99 will probably break under you in a commuting/touring setup. I run PC69 (I think) on my roadbike since it sees the miles and commutes more than the MTB.

out of curiosity, what kind of lifespan do you guys get from a chain?

i've been riding road seriously for about 6 year. i ride 4k-6k miles a year, clean my chain when it needs it, change it once or twice a year (every 1800-2000 miles or so - i've used ultegra, sram and now DA), and have never broken a chain.

I hope my chain never breaks on the way to work..Too time consuming...
Any suggestions as how to inspect a chain to help minimize this problem...What to look for...Of course, we all know 12 inches of chain should be 12 complete links..Any other suggestions..
I change my chain every 3,000 miles tops...and more likely a little less..