Repairing a broken chain out on the road

[confusedcyclist]

Last weekend while riding with a friend, we were caught out with a broken chain, looked like one the pins failed and he was out of action, luckily I was 20 mins from home and was able to pick him up in the car but it had me thinking, I wouldn't be prepared in the event of this happening to me on my own, and knowing my luck it would happen 30 miles from home.

I bought this park tool brute chain tool which stows nicely in my backpack, but realised after watching some how to vids on fixing a chain I don't have a spare link/pin. My defy 1 is still running the stock KMC X10 chain and Im not sure what to look for as I understand pins/links very from chain to chain.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on where to source some of these so I can stick a set of these in my backpack in the unfortunate event of another snapped chain?

Also, I understand that when you remove a pin, they are redundant and shouldn't be reused, however would you re-use a pin in a tight spot or just call it quits and get a bus home?

Edit: Ahh this should really have been in the technical know how forum, sorry

 

[User33236]

I carry a spare KMC chain link with me, along with a compact chain tool, as a 'get me home' solution where I can then assess and carry out whatever long term solution is required. This is likely to be to replace the chain as, if it has already failed, is likely to start to be unreliable.

Should you wish you repair the chain I would think something like http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pack-of-5-10-speed-chain-pins/ would suit.

 

[confusedcyclist]

The spare links you carry, are they from excess links when you bought a new chain, or are they purchased as I'm struggling to find them. Also, those pins are ruddy expensive!

I'll see if the LBS can front me a spare for free! They are usually pretty good at the one off freebies (I'm a tight b*stard I know!)

 

[ianrauk]

The spare links you carry, are they from excess links when you bought a new chain, or are they purchased as I'm struggling to find them. Also, those pins are ruddy expensive!

I'll see if the LBS can front me a spare for free! They are usually pretty good at the one off freebies (I'm a tight b*stard I know!)

They sell KMC chain links through all the online retailers.

 

[Flying Dodo]

If one of the links has got bent, in theory you should be able to simply remove it with the chain tool and make the chain shorter, which may get you home. However the quick links may be a better solution, as too short a chain may cause shifting problems. You can get universal ones which cover 8 & 9 speed chains. However, you could just as easily carry an excess link as you've suggested, as generally you tend to have to shorten a new chain anyway.

 

[confusedcyclist]

They sell KMC chain links through all the online retailers.

Ahh, I wasn't sure if that was what I needed, thanks!

 

[ColinJ]

It's a good idea to practice on a length of scrap chain at home so you know what you are doing if you ever have to repair a chain out on the road.

(That advice applies to sorting out punctures as well ... I'm amazed at how many people struggle to replace a tube. Practice at home until you can do it easily in less than 15 minutes. Practice on the back wheel because that is more complicated to get in and out than the front.)

 

[jack smith]

Just carry a missing link and you dont need a chain tool, i always carry both though,just shorten the chain to get you home

 

[slowmotion]

Just carry a missing link and you dont need a chain tool, i always carry both though,just shorten the chain to get you home

It isn't always that simple though. My chain broke in three lanes of heavy traffic in Parliament Square, two weeks ago after the Southend Night Ride to the Coast. A car want over the broken chain before I could recover it, and damaged the broken ends. Absolutely no way I could fit a missing link to it without a chain tool to effect an emergency repair. I had never had a broken chain before and always rather questioned the need for a chain tool when out on the road even though I have one at home. Paying £40 for a new chain at CycleSurgery in Victoria, after a fifteen minute walk, rather changed my opinion.

 

[jack smith]

If a car runs over tour chain your best off with a new one anyway but alwaysncarry a missing link and a chain tool for the majority of breaks a missing link will sort it

 

[slowmotion]

Amazon do a card of six ten speed KMC missing links for less than £16 including postage.

 

[ColinJ]

Just carry a missing link and you dont need a chain tool, i always carry both though,just shorten the chain to get you home

How would you undo the other end of a broken link to remove it without a chain tool?

 

[slowmotion]

How would you undo the other end of a broken link to remove it without a chain tool?

That's what I wondered as I stood on the pavement in Parliament Square, a broken chain in my grubby hand. Even after n+1 pints of lager in All Bar One, even I realised that I was snookered.

 

[jack smith]

I said I carry a chain tool, however you can easily remove the other end of the link by bending it apart anyway with either your hands or a Allen key

 

[bikepacker]

Sram Powerlinks must be available as a couple of years ago there was someone at Mildenhall Cycle Rally selling them in packs of 5. He charged me £8 for 2 packs of 9 speed. Might have been Francis Thurmer but can't be sure.