My chain snapped on the bridge trail in Golden Gate Park last Sunday

Never had a chain give out like that before, middle of a climb and it just went. Now I carry a chain breaker tool in my pack and check my links every few rides.

2 comments

2 Comments

lindahunt1mo ago

Can't say I've ever had a chain snap on me, are people really hunched over their bikes with a ruler every week? I lube mine when it sounds like a dying cat and have been fine for years. Maybe I'm just lucky or don't push hard enough, but this whole "check your links every ride" seems like a lot of work for something that might never happen. Those chain wear tools probably sell more on fear than actual need.

murray.cole1mo ago

Man I used to be one of those guys who thought chain maintenance was overkill. I'd just lube it when it got noisy and call it good. Then I had a chain snap on me during a group ride on Page Mill Road, steep section, almost went over the bars. That changed everything. Now I check every link with a chain wear indicator every 200 miles and replace way before it's stretched out. That $15 chain checker has saved me from way worse than a walk home. Plus the chain breaker tool you mentioned, yeah I got one of those too after that day.