Stiff Links

[Dogtrousers]

Last weekend my gears started jumping mid-ride. When I got home I found a stiff link. A bit of manual working, cleaning with WD40 then re-lubricating and it was free again. (My folding 10 speed chain tool doesn't have a link-freeing slot, and my 5-speed tool is in the garage somewhere ... finding time est 2hrs).

On Friday I did a 100 mile ride and after about 70 miles again the gears started skipping, and by counting pedal revs and skips I could tell it was once per chain rev. At a cake stop I fiddled with the chain and found and manually worked on a stiff link. Jumping stopped. Today I examined the chain and found TWO links that didn't straighten out when kinked. Again I've worked, cleaned and re-lubed them, individually, as well as re-lubricating and wiping down the chain.

Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this? I never had this problem with 5 or 8 speed transmissions, despite subjecting them to extremes of neglect. Are 10-speeds more finicky? Why on earth should it start mid-ride?

It's a SRAM chain on a new SRAM Apex and the bike has done less than 1,000 miles. I re-lube and wipe the chain down after every ride. OK - most rides. Certainly every ride when the weather has been wet. The lube I've been using is "Green Oil" which I bought on a whim last year. I'm wondering if the lube is wearing off or something.

 

[Brommyboy]

There is a simple way to free a stiff chain link, once you have found it. Sometimes it is easier to locate by slowly turning the chain backwards. Once located, hold the chain either side of the stiff link, side on. Thumbs on stiff link, then pull the links either side outward, and then push inward. Effectively you are bending the chain sideways at the stiff joint, to open it up a bit. It does require a lot of effort but does gradually open the joint so it is flexible.

 

[Easytigers]

I'd definitely try a new lube...not heard of that type before but it's worth a go. Where do you store the bike?

 

[BSRU]

I once had a problem with a Shimano chain that if the chain line was bad it would result in a stiff link. I'd fix the stiff link but it would return at various distances later.

 

[Dogtrousers]

@Easytigers Bike lives either in the hall (next to a radiator) or in the garage.

@BSRU that's interesting. I do try to ride sane chainlines (avoiding big/big, little/litte and so on) but I can't guarantee 100% compliance.

I think I'll start reading some zillion post "what chain lube" threads.

 

[Easytigers]

@Easytigers Bike lives either in the hall (next to a radiator) or in the garage.

@BSRU that's interesting. I do try to ride sane chainlines (avoiding big/big, little/litte and so on) but I can't guarantee 100% compliance.

I think I'll start reading some zillion post "what chain lube" threads.

Was just trying to rule out dampness etc...ruled out!!

 

[wisdom]

Just a thought could the radiator be drying it out too much. I have heard of the lube you are using but dont know anyone who has used it

 

[02GF74]

approx. how many miles has the chain done?
has it been subjected to regular maintenace - i.e. washed and then lubed, especially after wet rides?

 

[Dogtrousers]

approx. how many miles has the chain done?
has it been subjected to regular maintenace - i.e. washed and then lubed, especially after wet rides?

Only about 800 miles. Chain has been cleaned and re lubed regularly.

I'm going to give another lube a go.

I still find it odd - especially that it arises mid ride. When I've had problems with 5 or 8 speeds in the past this has been due to neglect and shows itself as soon as you start.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I have just had a perfectly lovely sunny lunch ride ruined by none other than a stiff chain link - GRRRRR.... its a new chain too, but alas, it did endure half of the Ride 100 (before by seat bolt sheered off).
And on the way back from my crappy lunch ride, I got a puncture too.

Having a great day, not

 

[Dogtrousers]

Incidentally I changed brands of chain lube from a cheap oil one to a fancy rip off ceramic doodah one.

Despite my initial scepticism the fancy blind-you-with-science Borg nanobot overpriced gloop seems to have sorted the problem. I'm a convert.