The chain that came off my bike last night.....

[lozcs]

Hi,

Out for a little ride last night and heard a "dink dink dink" metal bouncing down the road... next thing I know chain is off...

Luckily only 1 mile from home and managed to freewheel most of that...

Anyway..

Just had a look at the chain and it's a Shimano CN-HG73. (pic attached)

I've got a standard chain tool (although typically it's at work in my bag) which I've used to put a new chain on my hybrid no problems but the link pins on this chain look like they are tapered out at each end.

I've had a little Google but my question is - can I just split a link and reconnect one link shorter or does this chain need a 'KMC connector' and I guess another tool to put it on?

Thanks

Lawrence......

 

[Smokin Joe]

The chain broke, from what I gather?

Dump it and buy a new one, it broke because it's trying to tell you something (like buy a new one). KMC, SRAM or Wipperman all come with a tool free joining link, a standard chain tool will suffice to shorten the chain to the correct length.

 

[fossyant]

+1 with Smoking Joe

 

[lozcs]

Mmmmm.....

I guess so..

I work next to Evans in Birmingham - do I just ask for the same model number chain or anything else recommended?

Lawrence.....

 

[albion]

Give it a go.Worst case is you have to avoid using the big chainwheel with big cog.

 

[HLaB]

Give it a go.Worst case is you have to avoid using the big chainwheel with big cog.

Easier said than done With a chain that was too short, I somehow snagged it and snapped the derailleur hanger the hanger which is meant to go first stayed true I think if I was in that scenario again, I'd adjust the limit screws to make sure I can't.

 

[lozcs]

[QUOTE 1611856"]
Buy a chain that is for the speed of your bike - the amount of sprockets on the rear cassette. 8sp, 9sp, or 10sp?

Buy SRAM, as mentioned they have a powerlink so you can connect and disconnect the chain (for cleaning) without the need for a chain tool.

All you'll need a chain tool for is to shorten the chain to the required length.
[/quote]

Thanks Lee,

I've got 8 cogs on the back when I google the chain all the results say it's a 9 speed.

I've had problems with this bike slipping in the small rear cogs - even after LBS said chain amd cassette wasn't worn and indexed the gears.

Do you think that is the problem?

Lawrence......

 

[lozcs]

HG73 that came off..

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/hg73-chain-ec005208?query=HG70

looks like 9 speed only, yet bike is 8 speed???

So any one of these?

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/components/chains#!Speed=8

What's the difference between the £9 one and the £34 one!!

Lawrence......

 

[HLaB]

9 speed is narrower, I think you can put a 9sp chain on a 8 spd bike but not visa versa but check. I got my last 8sp chain from crc, they had plenty, like said I prefer SRAM but my current one on the townbike is a Wipperman as it was cheapest circa £8-10 i think.

Edit: Oh and I don't know if it has been said but you might need a new cassette too.

 

[PpPete]

KMC are my favorite, the quicklinks always seem slightly easier to use than SRAM to me. I've tried all their different quality levels and all seem very good to me.

 

[Herzog]

KMC are my favorite, the quicklinks always seem slightly easier to use than SRAM to me. I've tried all their different quality levels and all seem very good to me.

Another vote for KMC, I never use Shimano chains. I've had a couple of Shimano chains fail and find KMCs to be more reliable, whilst also lasting longer.

 

[HLaB]

Another vote for KMC, I never use Shimano chains. I've had a couple of Shimano chains fail and find KMCs to be more reliable, whilst also lasting longer.

Touch wood I've never had a Shimano chain fail on me but the KMC/SRAMs with quick links are just so much easier.

 

[jay clock]

I am a Wipperman man. The little link is excellent

 

[2old2care]

The chain broke, from what I gather?

Dump it and buy a new one, it broke because it's trying to tell you something (like buy a new one). KMC, SRAM or Wipperman all come with a tool free joining link, a standard chain tool will suffice to shorten the chain to the correct length.

+1 Again.

I now don't bother with Shimano chains anymore since a mechanic chap in the LBS told another customer that when he has to rejoin his Shimano chain he fits a new chain since the replacement pins hardly ever fit right. I found out exactly what he meant a couple of months later when my chain parted because of one of these links. So it's KMC from now on, or until I decide to try another make.

 

[2old2care]

Touch wood I've never had a Shimano chain fail on me but the KMC/SRAMs with quick links are just so much easier.

I use one since I can easily remove the chain to clean it and the bike.