"Half-broken" chain, didn't think it would happen to me

[RebornRider]

I've never suffered a completely broken chain, at least not since starting to ride mtb as a middle aged adult 24 years ago. (I rode everywhere before getting a driver license at 16. Then not.) I was doing a half-a$$ed clean in the garage this afternoon when the towel caught on the chain. A closer look revealed the following. I guess I'm lucky?

I also guess that I should not chance another ride until I replace the chain.

 

[RustyIron]

Lucky! Far better to discover it in the garage than high atop a mountain somewhere. Might be a good time to go buy a lottery ticket.

 

[RebornRider]

The only time I saw a guy break his chain was at Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, and he did a dramatic otb as a result. No injuries, but he said it hurt.

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket! It would be my first.

 

[Spin]

I have experienced the same thing and it did result in a pretty decent OTB.

 

[MasterDabber]

As a previous "Roadie" I've broken a couple of chains. The last one was just as I came over the brow of a category 3 climb in France. I'd just sat down after being up on the pedals. If it had "gone" whilst I was standing it could have been painful in the nether regions. Btw, I always carry a Quick Link and both times I've been back riding withing minutes.

 

[Dax]

A mate did this quite often on his stump jumper, got through my complete supply of quick links over a week. FYI you can use a 11sp quick link in a 12sp chain.

 

[darwink1]

I had 2 broken chains last summer alone! Thinking about keeping a spare in the pack now lol.

 

[RebornRider]

The replacement chain had exactly two "extra" links, so I used those links to replace the broken link and its neighbor. My chain checker says the broken chain was nowhere near the stretch limit, so it is now my bike park backup chain.

FWIW, the Turbo Levo includes spare quick links and a "chain breaker" in the head tube, but I have my doubts about the chain breaker's ability to break a chain and not itself.

 

[steve_sordy]

...........
FWIW, the Turbo Levo includes spare quick links and a "chain breaker" in the head tube, but I have my doubts about the chain breaker's ability to break a chain and not itself.

It only has to push a rivet out, not actually break anything. It will be right.