My bike chain snapped 3 miles from work and I walked the rest

Happened last Tuesday on my commute into Portland. I was hauling uphill and the chain just gave out with a loud ping. No warning, no skipping beforehand. I ended up walking my bike the last 3 miles to the shop and dropped $45 on a new chain and a lesson learned. I'm going to start carrying a chain tool and a quick link from now on. Has anyone else had a chain fail on them mid-ride without any signs?

2 comments

2 Comments

sandra6938d ago

45 bucks for a chain is steep unless you got a high end one at a shop. You can grab a decent KMC chain online for under 20 and it'll last just as long as most shop brands. But more importantly, chains don't usually snap without warning. They stretch over time and you can check it with a simple chain checker tool that costs like 10 bucks. If you replace it before it gets too worn you save yourself this exact headache. Also, carrying a chain tool is smart but you need a quick link that fits your specific chain width, not just any random one off the shelf. I bought the wrong size once and it was useless.

lindahunt8d ago

Yeah, "they stretch over time" is key, I ignored my chain getting loose and it snapped a week later. Gotta check that wear regularly or you're just asking for a walk of shame.