Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - It finally happened!

In all my years of riding and racing ultra distance races over countless miles I have never broken a chain...until now! In the Furnace Creek 508, just 30 miles from the finish. Just after completing the 10 mile climb up Sheephole pass the chain snapped and rolled right off the cogs onto the ground. bummer. My crew got out of the van and we all just looked at each other. What do we do now? Did anyone bring a spare chain? Nope Master link? Not one in the tool box but we do have a chain tool (lucky us). So, we knocked off half a link and spliced it back together and I was back on the road. Guess I need to remember to throw a master link into the tool box!

I carry master links for various different chain sizes. Seen too many broken chains, fortunately none on my bike.

Have broken one chain on my single bike.
Have broken several chains on our tandem(s).
Not bad for over 40 years of riding . . .

Man - Has not happened to me yet - BUT - I am just waiting my turn...

I've broken a few chains that went through salt and sand filled winters, but I don't think I've ever broken one in SoCal.

I was driving support and had a spare 1/8" chain for the fixed gears. I also had a box of random bits that has some shimano replacement pins (for putting shimano chains back together) in it, but I don't think I have any master links for road bikes. There might be a used SRAM master link in there. Time to get some spare master links to put in the box of bits...

Some fokes on the local Heroes event ride had a rear wheel bearing come loose and i had a cone wrench with me.
yes! i do carry an extra master link

"Chain Of Fools"

Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools

For five long years
I thought you were my man
But I found out
I'm just a link in your chain

You got me where you want me
I ain't nothin' but your fool
Ya treated me mean
Oh you treated me cruel

Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools

Every chain, has got a weak link
I might be weak yeah
But I'll give you strength
Oh, hey

You told me to leave you alone
My father said, "Come on home"
My doctor said, "Take it easy"
Oh but your lovin' is much too strong
I'm added to your

Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools

One of these mornings
The chain is gonna break
But up until the day
I'm gonna take all I can take, oh hey

Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chain
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
(Chain, chain, chain)
Chain of fools

Chain, chain, chai-i-in
Chain, chain, chain
Chain, chain, chai-i-in
Chain of fools
Sorry! I had to do it

Man - Has not happened to me yet - BUT - I am just waiting my turn...

I'm told that if you check for chain wear regularly that it's pretty rare to break a chain. So of course I rarely check.

I usually keep my stuff in pretty good condition which is what I've always credited with not braking stuff on long rides and races but I don't actually remember when I checked the chain last. I supposed it might have been my fault. I needed a new chain and cassette anyway. ;)

...I was driving support and had a spare 1/8" chain for the fixed gears. ..

Which fixed gear team were you with? We saw a lot of the fixed gear guys/gals over the weekend.

Our rider, Fighting Rooster, broke a spoke on his front wheel less than 10 miles from the finish line. One of many small delays and setbacks which contributed to his completion 33 minutes over the time limit...

Bummer! Those little delays and setbacks can certainly add up. Still an accomplishment. At least the weather was pretty good this year.

Which fixed gear team were you with? We saw a lot of the fixed gear guys/gals over the weekend.

Blue Footed Boobies-- 2x women fixed.

There was also a 4x mixed (Pudu and the *****cats) and 1x men fixed (Frisky Camel, who shows up here on bf occasionally).

Was this a 10- or 11-spd chain? If so, I'm not surprised. When they first came out, my trackie friends were breaking them pretty easily. This is why I would never go 10-spd or higher on a tandem. And why I would use a 7- or 8-spd chain only for the timing side. (Or even a 1/8" chain, since they are designed to run straight and to NOT bend.)

I've even broken 1/8" fixie chains. I carry a spare master link. The problem is installing the snap lock without pliers (which I do not carry).

Luis

Heck, I had a spare chain in my "stuff" box at the Texas Time Trials. Also, some masterlinks, not sure if they fit the chain I'm using, though!

I've even broken 1/8" fixie chains. I carry a spare master link. The problem is installing the snap lock without pliers (which I do not carry).


I always use a screwdriver or the back of a peanut butter wrench for the snap ring on the link-- as long as you have enough light if you have to do it at night it's not bad.

for 508 your crew should be comfortable changing a chain in the dark.