Answered What to bring in case of a chain snap?

[Beekeeper]

Never had a chain snap but it’s bound to occur at some point.
What should I bring? I’ve no idea.

 

[ImSundee]

chain tool (most decent multitools have one on them) and a master/quick link, then you can remove broken link and rejoin quickly.

This will be enough for you to get home where you can then replace. But you probably wont be able to get into the biggest rear gear due to the shorter chain.

 

[Beekeeper]

chain tool (most decent multitools have one on them) and a master/quick link, then you can remove broken link and rejoin quickly.

This will be enough for you to get home where you can then replace. But you probably wont be able to get into the biggest rear gear due to the shorter chain.

Thanks, do I need a specific quick link for a 10,11 or 12 speed drive train?

Also could I add more than one quick link to make my chain the same length as before?

 

[Changleen]

Yes, you need a specific size (thickness) link for your chain (They are different). In a pinch you can probably get away with SRAM on Shimano or whatever, provided the thickness (number of speeds) is correct but far better to have the ‘right’ one.

No, you can’t add more than one without breaking the chain in multiple places, which would be self-defeating. If your chain is the right length loosing one link probably won’t stop you using all the gears, but may make the biggest gear a bit too tight to shift into nicely. If your bike is set up with a tight chain to start with (e.g. downhill, trials maybe, in some circumstances) then it may be too tight to shift into the biggest gear when you loose a link. Shouldn’t really be this tight IMO, especially on modern clutched designs.

 

[KennyB]

Kind of puzzled, if you replace one link, the chain is the same length? You could always carry 2 quick links and a short bit of chain (each end an inner link). But I've only broken a chain twice in over 30 years and they were just one link.

 

[GrahamPaul]

Thanks, do I need a specific quick link for a 10,11 or 12 speed drive train?

Also could I add more than one quick link to make my chain the same length as before?

Worth practicising how to do a chain repair using an existing pin on an old chain. Recently was on a ride where 2 of us snapped chains within 30 minutes of each other. Only one of us had a quick link. The other chap was going to push out the 10km until I showed him how to do the repair. (One of the other riders volunteered his 8 speed quick link - but all the bikes were 10 speed. He didn't know there was a difference!)

 

[ImSundee]

Kind of puzzled, if you replace one link, the chain is the same length? You could always carry 2 quick links and a short bit of chain (each end an inner link). But I've only broken a chain twice in over 30 years and they were just one link.

depending how it breaks, if you just break an outter link then yes size will stay the same, but if you do an inner, you need to remove 2 outters and then use one quick link to bring it together, shortening by 1 inner and 1 outer. so about 3/4cm shorter.

 

[GrahamPaul]

depending how it breaks, if you just break an outter link then yes size will stay the same, but if you do an inner, you need to remove 2 outters and then use one quick link to bring it together, shortening by 1 inner and 1 outer. so about 3/4cm shorter.

Isn't an "inner + outer" = "1 full link" = 1 inch?

Which would be around two and a half centimetres for removal of two outers, one inner and replace with one quick link.

 

[ImSundee]

Isn't an "inner + outer" = "1 full link" = 1 inch?

Which would be around two and a half centimetres for removal of two outers, one inner and replace with one quick link.

yea thats probably a better estimate of size than mine And I agree a single link is a outer and inner but some dont always see it like that.

 

[GrahamPaul]

yea thats probably a better estimate of size than mine

Reminds me of something my wife once said...

 

[Zimmerframe]

Sandwiches.

 

[KennyB]

yea thats probably a better estimate of size than mine And I agree a single link is a outer and inner but some dont always see it like that.

I hate to be a pedant but when I last bought a chain, the link count was, 118, 59 inners, 58 outers and a quick link.
PS SRAM user manual agrees.

 

[steve_sordy]

In addition to the chain splitter on my multi-tool, I carry a new magic link and about half a dozen new links of chain, surplus from my last fitting. Then I can replace as many damaged links as required (up to the spares limit). I also have some old magic links for giveaways. OK, they are worn out, but MUCH better than no link at all.

PS: I have started to carry a pair of vinyl gloves in my pack, to avoid getting my hands covered in oil. They will come in handy if I ever have to use my spare tube in my tubeless tyre too. That sealant is sticky!