Bicycle Mechanics - Damaged Master Link Causing Autoshifting

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Equinox
08-27-11, 06:16 PM
My relatively new bike was shifting perfectly. All of a sudden, I go out on a ride and the chain starts dropping into a smaller cog by itself. I put it up on a stand and everything looks ok. I notice as i turn the pedals the chain hops at one particular spot. I notice that the master link is kind of catching in the cluster. I notice the side plates are sort of loose and the inside one seems possibly a little bent out. I guess I'd like to know how this happented seemingly out of the blue and is it fixable for tomorrow's ride? could I squeez the side plates with a needle nose safely?
Thank You!

blamp28
08-27-11, 09:22 PM
Relatively new bike -What kind? more info needed in order to help.
fietsbob
08-27-11, 11:05 PM
replace the damaged master link?

MudPie
08-27-11, 11:17 PM
What brand chain/masterlink? Some brands have re-useable masterlinks (KMC, Wipperman), some are one-time use masterlinks (SRAM).

As a habit, I keep a spare masterlink in my bag and tool box.

You might want to check that the links in the area freely rotate.
Kimmo
08-28-11, 03:17 AM
You could prolly tweak it good with some pliers, but I bet it'll be difficult without long-nose vise grips, and prolly tricky to do right.