Well maybe not legs of steel.

I was commuting yesterday evening and had stopped at an intersection while on route. When the light turned green I got up on the pedals to sprint off and "POP"!! My chain snapped and landed somewhere in the middle of the intersection. Meanwhile, I fell over from the sheer suddeness of losing the chain, landed on top of my bike, with my right pedal making lunch out of my calf.

At first I was pretty pissed, as I thought it was something stupid like dropping the chain, but when I couldn't find the chain on the bike, I thought, "Where in the hell did it go?" I found it a couple meters away. I should add that I bought the chain just this spring too. So it can't be that worn out yet.

Feeling pretty sore, but mostly angery at having my pride stomped on by my own SPD's at the embarassment of wiping out in the middle of traffic, I collected my bike and the derelict chain and hobbled off to the side walk. Less then a block away was the entrance to the subway station. The thought crossed my mind. Instead, I repaired the chain in a matter of minutes and then (tentatively at first) resumed my commute.

It wasn't until I arrived at work that I was made aware of my injuries by my co-workers who looked at my right leg and said, "Is that blood?" Sure enough, My sock was moderately stained, and I had three nice big cuts in my calf which were a nice bright red. No stitches, wasn't that deep but, pretty damn boodly. I also noticed a few more sratches and road rash elsewhere from this silly little bail.

Well today, the bruises have made themselves known and the wrist I injured earlier this year hurts like a S.O.B. Figures, I felt like I had fully recovered from that injury too. Dammit!!!

Funny thing, is today I rode my FR bike into work today, with my shin guards and wrist wrap gloves. Hmmm maybe on an unconcious level, I felt I needed the extra protection.

Sorry, if I've bored anyone with this. Just thought I share my latest commuting "war story".

Tough luck on the bail, I know how it feels to look goofy in traffic- I slipped out of both toe clips today when launching on a green light; boy did I feel stupid! Anyways, I hope the injuries don't affect your riding!

just out of curiosity, what kind of chain was it? shimano?

Stiffee, enjoy the pain, and carry the scars with pride. I have a fine collection of stud marks on my shin where my foot slipped and the fine studs on the pedal spiked me superbly. Not much blood perhaps, but as fine a collection of scars as you'll ever see. It's all part of the initiation ceremony at the Bike Forums Altar.

I was once in the little/big thinking I was in middle/middle and pulled away sharply. Naturally, the crank turned at high speed and caught me by suprise. I lost my balance and when I tried to bail out I went forward and took the full brunt on my plums! That hurt!

As long as you laughed about then that it is good.

To be honest I can't remember right now???

I usually buy SRAM chains however, I think this one might have been a Shimano one. I'll get back to you.

sheesh, I'm glad you weren't hurt worse...

I recently had a chain break on me, (was out of the saddle powering up a small hill at 20 something mph) I was barely able to save my bike by sliding on both cleats.... needless to say it was a freaky experience, although when it happened I thought my pedals had broke or something, then I realized my chain was missing

see? thats what i am talking about. no one ever said that they have 'legs of aluminum' --> oh forget it. i just thought it was a better line than listening to the shimano bashers step up to the plate.

i'm not trying to bash shimano, if that's what you're implying. i (meaning myself and the mechanics i work with) all have had bad experience with their chains. i'm just trying to see if others have as well.

I've snapped one off road when hitting a sand pit. It does give you a second of "What the hell just broke?" as you try not to go down.

all factors must be considered, like was the chain link professionally installed,

I did the same thing a couple of years back...

26 May, 2001

"And with one sideplate destroyed, you are the weakest link... goodbye."

Today while on a ride with some friends who have just started taking up mountain biking, I snapped a sideplate on one of my links. I think it happened when I went cross-geared for a tad while trying to dump my front to the inner and kick my rear to the large cog in order to power my way through some sand. Anyways, the chain got sucked up and I lost momentum. Whether the broken sideplate caused the binding and resulting chainsuck or was the victim of the chainsuck because I was radically moving the chainline under load and vibration, I can't tell but for the rest of the ride, my shifting was horrible and the chain was skipping around.

I somehow got it into my head that the rear derailleur was misadjusted due to cable stretch or something and was playing with the barrel adjusters to no avail. It wasn't until we all got back to the parking lot that one of my friends noticed the sideplate of one link hanging loose and the other sideplate bent. I hope I didn't damage my drivetrain by riding what I estimate was about two hours with a faulty chain. I'm taking it into the LBS for a new chain and an inspection. BTW, the chain is a CN-7700 which is the same chain originally made for the Dura-Ace road group. This is also the standard spec chain for XTR which is what I have. I'm not sure if it being designed for a road group has anything to do with its durability but I've been reading a LOT of reviews about people snapping the 7700 in offroad situations.

For the record it was/is a SRAM chain. I inspected the chain with my park chain stretch tool and it still appears to have lots of life left in it. Guess is was just one of those things. Its the second time is a couple years I've snapped a chain. I don't really consider it a question of durability. I think its quite amazing that something that looks as "wimpy" as a chain, any chain for that matter, can handle the daily pounding and stress put on it by some hard on/off road miles. I mean those plates are pretty darn skinny.

Hmmm, do you have a PowerLink?? The only time I've had a chain break is because I took it off frequently to wash it. I'm not saying this is what happened in your case, I'm just musing..I have since used PowerLinks and take the chain off rarely, I just use a Park Cyclone to clean up the chain. I'm nervous for severl rides if I've recently taken my chain off and put it back on.

I had one of those "I'm a genius, honest I am" moments the other day. I ducked to ride under a sign, but not quite low enough. I took a 4 inch long line of skin off my shoulder. Didn't actually bleed very much, but it sure looks impressive.

I don't use the power link on SRAM chains. I just pin it together. I have a really nice Park chain breaker tool. It works great. It pushes the link out to just the right distance and then back in just as well. I also use the Cyclone. Like you I try to avoid taking the chain apart, if I can clean the chain on the bike, all the better.