Stiff Chain Link
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 128
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Stiff Chain Link
A couple of days ago on my ride to school I felt a chain skip. I got off, checked it and couldn't replicate it on the side of the road. It persisted and came more frequently until I stopped at a friend's to recruit some help.
A buddy and I finally figured out that it looks like the problem is a stiff link, or a link that's not bending around the rear gear. We used a chain tool and pulled off the side of the link that felt like it was keeping it from turning. I wiped it off, put it back on, oiled it and it seemed to work as I rode home.
Then this morning about 6 miles into my morning commute it started again. About every third pedal stroke it feels like its skipping--that's the best way I can describe it. I'm guessing its the same thing--the stiff link that's not turning. In other gears, that don't require the chain to bend as tightly it works better, but I don't usually use those gears. Replacing the chain would most likely be the best option, and I could get it done later this week, but I'd really like for it to be a last resort. Any advice for fixing this myself?
Thanks in advance.
A buddy and I finally figured out that it looks like the problem is a stiff link, or a link that's not bending around the rear gear. We used a chain tool and pulled off the side of the link that felt like it was keeping it from turning. I wiped it off, put it back on, oiled it and it seemed to work as I rode home.
Then this morning about 6 miles into my morning commute it started again. About every third pedal stroke it feels like its skipping--that's the best way I can describe it. I'm guessing its the same thing--the stiff link that's not turning. In other gears, that don't require the chain to bend as tightly it works better, but I don't usually use those gears. Replacing the chain would most likely be the best option, and I could get it done later this week, but I'd really like for it to be a last resort. Any advice for fixing this myself?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Jake_M; 08-29-07 at 03:27 PM. Reason: spelling, clarification
#2
Do I use too many commas?
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central New York
Posts: 621
Bikes: Giant Yukon SE
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Twist the chain back and forth at the tight link to loosen it up and shown at the bottom of the page below.
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=53
https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=53
#5
Bill
Join Date: May 2007
Location: HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO
Posts: 630
Bikes: Specialized Globe Sport, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Following the Park Tool method (https://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=53) is definitely the easiest way