Mountain Biking - Stuck Link In Chain

Hey All,

My chain recently started skipping a bit on my bike. I looked over the chain and noticed that one link in particular is very stuck. It doesn't bend easily and when it moves through the rear derailer it won't smooth out and stays a little bent. This causes it to pop through the derailer creating a skip when i'm riding. I think. I tried greasing the thing, but that didnt' help.

ANy ideas?
Thanks
ScottG

Try gripping the chain just either side of the sticky link and 'bending' the chain side to side. Do it for a few seconds and see if the stickiness has gone. Repeat as necessary.

If this doesn't work, use a chain tool. Look carefully at the chain and you should see the rivet sticking out slightly more on one side. Use the chain tool to just nudge the rivet slightly back in. If this works perfectly, stop there. If it feels better, but not perfect, use the bending method and it should now work :).

To further elaborate on Astra's advice.


Grab the chain and hold it so your thumbs are pointing toward each other (palm downs). Position the chain so your thumbs are pressing laterally on either side of the stiff link. Then wrap your other fingers around the chain and press your thumbs against the stiff link and then pull the chain in the other direction and do this back and forth numerous times.

The idea is to over stress the stiff link to develop a bit more side to side play in the link, thus loosening it up.

Hope this makes sense.

L8R

Thanks Guys

It all made sense and I tried it. But I dont' think I bent the chain hard enough, afraid I'd break it I think. I ended up taking it to my shop, where it was still under warranty and they fixed it with the exact technique you described. So next time I'll bend harder.
Thanks
SCottG