jhaber

I was thinking today if I should ever be worried about chaining chain length if I ride brakeless. On occasion (actually almost never) I have to take out or add a link to adjust for a gear ratio. There is something that bothers me a bit about popping pins in and out of a chain. I feel like they have to be deforming when ever this happens. Am I crazy? Does it make sense if I know I will be running two different ratios to have two separate chains to?

edit: I just saw my typo in the thread title, oops.

Thetank

how often are you removing links and popping pins out? Can't be that many times but chances are you'll wear the chain out before something like this will cause a problem.

operator

It depends on WHAT chains, you can safely do this to most non-peened 1/8 chains, anything 3/32 you are asking for it. Especially 8 speed+.

Hirohsima

Buy more than one chain. I have two chains, one for my 45/16 and one for my 50/16. This way I just use the quick disconnect and only break the chain once, EVER.

operator has it right though, older 8sp chains and 1/8 chains that have striaght pins usually can take being broken a few times but only if you have a decent chain tool. Cheap chain tools twist the chain up and often screw up the side plates. I use Park's newest shop quality chain break @ ~ $75 and it works like butter. Cheaper tools produce less than desireale results.

My advice, instead of worrying about it, get a few chains, and KNOW that you are fine.

ADSR

I have a cheap chain tool and chain, and it's produced some stiff links that I've had to mess with for a while. I'll probably get better equipment soon.

sonicj

you should be constantly worried! you don't have any brakes!

thats a mighty bold statement! how do you "KNOW" your chain isn't going to fail? because you bought the best tools and you have multiple chains? paleeese...

machines fail. they don't care if you used the best tools, ate your wheaties, color coordinated your chain, etc... do you want someone to have to scrape your brains off the pavement because you were too worried about looking cool or your zen experience? i don't like the idea personally... i almost never use my front brake, yet there is comfort in knowing that its there if i need it.

time bandit

last i looked this wasnt a thread debating brakes v. no brakes.

take it somewhere else.

dont pop your chain too much. as someone said, it's best to use different chains for different ratios.

Lou627

I feel im damaging my chain popping links as well and was surprised to see on sheldon browns site that he recommends completely disassembling a chain for cleaning

owenboen

are you taking about this? https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

cause that's definitely a joke, seeing that the link to it is under his "bike humor" section.

HandsomeRyan

winner!

kyselad

The chain is far less likely to fail if you're not popping pins in and out frequently. No, there's no guarantee, but really, if you get a new chain, remove a pin, and replace it with a master link, it's very likely to hold up fine. If you keep breaking and reassembling the chain, depending on the type of chain, it's very likely to snap at what can only be an inopportune moment when you're exerting plenty of force on the drivetrain. And that's from experience.

And yes, the OP should use a brake. But I don't want to read that thread for the umpteenth time, so I still think the advice to get multiple chains is the best response.

2wheelsgood

If I remember correctly that article was posted on April fools day.

jhota

this may be kind of a dumb question, but:

why would you be changing your gear ratio that much?

i change my chains about once a year (except for the mountain bike, which is around every three). more often for the bikes i ride more.

and i just can't see changing gear ratios often enough to fubar the chain before i'd be replacing it anyway.

maybe it's living in flat-as-a-pancake coastal SC.

monsterkidz

I run 46x17 most of the time, but am able to ride 46x15 with the the wheel flipped and the same chain. As long as you aren't damaging the chain while installing/breaking/installing you should be OK. I've always felt that most chain failure is due to improper installation.

Hirohsima

As a paid shop mechanic for 6 years I can tell you in plain honesty that every broken chain I have ever seen has either been due to a crappy install or extreme wear. My chains are the the expanded pin type which are mushroomed at the outer plate and I seriously doubt I could break one of those chains unless someone fat-fingered the install.

Since I only break a chain once to remove excess links, all of the links are factory closed and peened. Having the best tool helps ensure you don't do damage to your parts. And yes, machines fail. But the biggest variable in most bike repairs is NOT the part, but the monkey turning the wrench.

I have never had a chain fail, but I also run SS and run F&R brakes, so I pretty much KNOW I am fine. I also maintain my dad's bike who does cross country rides multipule times a year. He has over 50,000 miles on a few different bikes and many parts. He has never had a chain fail. That is pretty good evidence to me.

jhaber

I guess I should respond cause this thread got more responses that I thought. I don't have many thousands of miles on my chain. My chain is strong chain in good condition (KMC 710SL), I have a nice (but not shop quality) 1/8 chain breaker, and the chain has only been broken three times so far in its life. I guess I just worry

Lou627

jesus christ. I wish I could remember why I saw that. If it was posted here or something. I really thought he was crazy recommending to do this every time you clean your drive train. Crazy in that he loved bikes too much. Well jokes on me, good one sheldon.

Lou627

would you not think this man is crazy?

sorry I hijacked the thread