Mountain Biking - My stupid chain broke AGAIN!

I was pedaling like crazy getting speed to hit this jump and hear clickity clack, clickity clack. Crack. My chain just breaks in two. A link must have split and rolled off the chainrings. A really pathedic looking event. Not to mention the sudden loss of chain tention caused my foot to slip and my studed pedals leave there marks in my shins. :mad: This is the 3rd time in less then a week. Time for a new chain. Any suggestions? Or Ideas what might be causing this?

I think it might have been when I switched gears while going uphill. Seems like it puts a LOT of stress on the chain. It's probably it. I've stopped doing that but this chain had a couple of messed links I guess. I've already take out 4 links and the derailer hanger is stretched out almost parallel to the rear link. With a chainguide it would be pulled to far. So suggestions?

Learn how to shift properly uphill... use a technique called "softpedaling". You should never shift under load really.

Basically before you shift you lower your cadence and feel the drivetrain and easy the drivetrain through the shift by pedaling slowly without much force. Its hard to describe so I'm sure there is a place on the net that does a better job. Softpedaling...

Learn how to shift properly uphill... use a technique called "softpedaling". You should never shift under load really.

Basically before you shift you lower your cadence and feel the drivetrain and easy the drivetrain through the shift by pedaling slowly without much force. Its hard to describe so I'm sure there is a place on the net that does a better job. Softpedaling...

I know exactly what you mean. And I have done that ever since the first break. But it was too late for the chain a few links were already damaged. Plus the chain got rusted due to neglagence. I'm getting a new chain tommorow. I'm kinda stuck with whatever the LBS has. It's not a big LBS. If they have a 9 speed chain i'll be lucky.

How did you repair the chain after the first break? Is it breaking in different places each time?

Just out of curiosity what brand chains are you breaking? Personally I've had two Shimanos and zero SRAMs break on me so maybe try a different brand and see if it still happens?

How did you repair the chain after the first break? Is it breaking in different places each time?


First off its a Shinamo. I'm hopin' to get an sram. From what i've heard they're much better.

As for what gastro asked: I removed the entire link with a chain break. Therefore shortening the chain. Then reattached the chain with the chain break.

First off its a Shinamo. I'm hopin' to get an sram. From what i've heard they're much better.

I switched to SRAM after snapping my Shimano chain (CN-7700). The SRAM (PC-99) never broke although it didn't seem to shift as smooth as the Shimano chain. I just recently switched from SRAM to Wipperman ConneX (908) and it shifts as smooth if not smoother than the Shimano chains but claims to be much stronger. The only problem is that it's slightly pricey.

i have a SRAM chain at the moment, and while ive never broken a chain ( i change htem every 3 months or so) the SRAM chain doesnt change as well, and it wore a hell of alot faster.

Also the reaosn why the chain could be skipping when replaced is that the rear cog and chain tend to wear into each other as time goes on. a new chain kinda resets this untill the chain is " broken in"

FoX, are you using new shimano pins? The only time I ever broke a Shimano chain was when I tried to reuse a pin instead of getting a new one.

FoX, are you using new shimano pins? The only time I ever broke a Shimano chain was when I tried to reuse a pin instead of getting a new one.

Yup, I knew it was a cheap fix. Wasn't going to last long. But like I said it was rusting anyways. I'm getting a new chain tommorow.

The only problem is that it's slightly pricey.


Slightly pricey. How about downright expensive! how much did you pay?

L8R

Slightly pricey. How about downright expensive! how much did you pay?

I paid around $35 (seen them as low as $30 though). I actually was looking for a replacement SRAM PC-99 at the time but the bikeshop didn't have any. They had just gotten in the Wipperman ConneX 908 chains and convinced me to try them out.

$30 doesn't sound bad.

$30 doesn't sound bad.

Nashbar has them on sale for $25.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=76&subcategory=1099&sku=4885&brand=

I'm not sure if it's the 904 (half nickel plated) or the 908 (full nickel plated) though. If it's the 908 then that's a really good price. If it's the 904 then it's still pretty decent.

Yeah my chain broke the other day and i had to ride my old hardtail all weekend :p I just got a connector link for $3.50 seeing as my chain is in perfect condition.

Learn how to shift properly uphill... use a technique called "softpedaling". You should never shift under load really.

Basically before you shift you lower your cadence and feel the drivetrain and easy the drivetrain through the shift by pedaling slowly without much force. Its hard to describe so I'm sure there is a place on the net that does a better job. Softpedaling...

A good way to learn how to soft pedal is taking your seat off and shifting while standing up. I recently misplaced my seat but i wanted to ride to badly. So i took my bike out for a spin without the seat. It really gets you focused on how to pedal when shifting.