Repairing a broken chain out on the road

[chewa]

I carry a multi tool that has a chainlink tool on it.
I have broken a chain (not at the quick link) and have simply taken out another link (shortening the chain slightly) which worked fine to get me home

 

[brand]

I start with the following assumption, shimano chains are sh*t. I have had 3 break no other brand has. Once miles from anywhere on the moors. I free wheeled down into a town where a Halfords stayed open late just to put a new one on for me.
I think I have the tool but no idea how to use it. I think I had better practice in case I am in some place with 3 lanes of traffic. Or maybe I will just stay in Lincolnshire.

 

[ColinJ]

you can easily remove the other end of the link by bending it apart anyway with either your hands or a Allen key

I've never tried it but you could well be right.

I'm just trying to think of a scenario where a chain could be too broken to ride, but still too strong to break apart easily without the tool ... Maybe if the plates snapped down the middle leaving not enough to get hold of?

 

[jack smith]

Now that would be a serious break! Must be a truly sh*te chain to snap like that though

 

[shouldbeinbed]

multitool chain tool & speed specific quick links that are a couple of quid or so in Halfords

 

[zacklaws]

If your chain snaps and you have no tool to repair it, just tie the loose ends together with some thin string, wire or zip tie that will go between the rollers and links or even the holes in the links, ensure that you are in an easy gear and that part of the chain is at the bottom between the chain ring and bottom jockey wheel where no pressure will be put on it and your pedal for your strongest leg is in about the 2 o'clock position and half pedal all the way home making sure the broken part does not go round the jockey wheel or chain ring, it may be tiring but it beats walking. I've only had to do it once about 40 years ago, mid winter in the dark, it was a quick flash of inspiration....and a long length of fishing line to repair the chain that saved me from pushing a fully laden bike with fishing tackle 7 miles

Luckily, I had no big hills to climb, but you can always walk the hard bits.