How do I fix my chain?
 

While shifting gears, my chain got stuck between the gearshift and the frame. It's really tight, I can't move it with my hands. The pedals are stuck,too. What do I do?

The easiest solution is to buy a cotterless crank remover and remove the right crank. The tool won't be a waste of dough if you plan on ever servicing your own bike later on.

There's sometimes a finesse solution whereby you rotate the crank and look for a place to guide the chain between the nearest places one at a time. It's not always possible because the gap may be narrower than the chain, which flexed things apart as it wedged itself in.

If the chain has a connecting link, or you own a chain tool, you might cut the chain, slide it out over it's length, then put things back together.

So, you have options, and also, if you lack the skill or tools, can bring it to a bike co-op where they can clear the jam, and also adjust the front derailleur to reduce the odds of a repeat.

BTW- it's a good idea to add your city or area of residence in the profile. There's a decent chance that forum members live near you and can help by lending a tool, or referring you to a good shop or co-op.

You might be able to get it out using sheer strength but the chances are that the leverage provided by the cranks let you wedge it in there with sufficient force to freeze it in place.

Yeah.. so the remedy is to remove the right crank.

i can't tell from the pics, but i would take a look at how those chainrings, especially the small one, are connected to the crank. it wouldn't take but about 10 seconds to determine if it was a dead end. and it might well be.

Looks as if the chain is well and truly jammed between the frame and the crank. Your first step will be to remove the crank and then you will be able to adjust your derailleurs to reduce the chance of a recurrence. Some kind of a chain catcher would help prevent this happening again

So...ummm....what does any of that have to do with a "stuck pedal" or both pedals in this case. Amazing. I assume that is a completely wrong and extraneous description by, ahem...thedudeman of the main problem.

Most likely a terminology issue. It's fairly certain the OP means that the CRANK won't turn.

BY "stuck pedals" I believe the Op means that the chain is so jammed that the cranks won't rotate any longer. While I don't like made up names I try to not make fun of then either. Andy.

Relax, we all know the OP means the crank. What I really don't understand is why some people have to put thier name at the end of every post they make even though their name is in their user ID.

Jicafold- What's your real problem? You were the one who seemed to make fun of the OP's "name" without any provocation from him. If you knew that the Op meant that the cranks were jammed then just say so without trying to be negatively cute. And why don't you offer your readers the consideration of using your real name? (And if Jicafold is your name I apologize). Andy.

How badly stuck are the pedals/cranks?

Do you have enough movement that you could lift up one end of the chain and slowly unwind it? You could get a little extra slack by removing the rear wheel if necessary.

from the scrap bikes i collect that had jammed chains between the BB and crank.. i always had to remove the crank first (using a crank extractor tool) to free it.

one of the reasons why some people give away their bikes here, they come across a problem and don't want to deal with it. my gain!

for me it's an easy fix, then adjust the derailluer so it won't happen again. put the bike up for sale


OP, once you sort this out, i recommend to check the rear derailluer, that could be out of adjustment too

This thread is a good argument for using a "chain watcher". Even properly adjusted front derailleurs aren't foolproof and the chain watcher prevents this type of problem.

Let's not stray from the purpose of this forum with our own personal problems...Andrew...and try not to be so darn serious all the time.

We have not heard back from the OP regarding his problem. My suggestion would be to simply try to pry it out with a long blade screwdriver either from the back side or through the chainrings. Failing that I imagine crankarm extraction is in order.

Usually I am pretty on topic and focused on what other readers will take away, besides the Op's need. But something about your post #6 got to me. I should have replied in a Pm to you, Jicfold. For this I apologize. Not for my comments but for my making them public.

I do agree with J's suggestion to first prying out the chain with an arm removal as a last resort. BITD we would just cut the chain and feed it off of the spindle and then reassemble it. But these days that costs connecting pins or links. Oh the cost of more gears. Andy.

^^^

kudos. :thumb: