So Thankful

[johnniecakes]

I was cleaning a bike this afternoon and came across a broken side plate on my chain. So thankful it didn’t break while I was riding it. First time I have ever seen this.

IMG_2555.jpg

[donevwil]

Wow, never seen that as well. Go buy a lottery ticket.

[Shortsocks]

Thats definitely a First time That Ive ever seen that.
Good job on catching that. Yeap, thats Lottery Ticket time for you!!

[Louis]

Out of curiosity, have you checked the elongation? (elsewhere, not included the bad link) I wonder where that is compared to the side-plate crack.

[dcama5]

What surprises me is that you caught that! I mean, good God, I would never see that during any routine maintenance. It would have to fail for me to catch it! How did you spot this? Thanks, Dave

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by dcama5

What surprises me is that you caught that! I mean, good God, I would never see that during any routine maintenance. It would have to fail for me to catch it! How did you spot this? Thanks, Dave

yeah, me too. I pushed off for work on my SS MTB and the chain snapped a few weeks ago - I didnt wipe out, but my stomache hit the saddle hard and sent me flailing to stay upright.

Makes me need to check my chains on my other bikes and (gasp) clean them...

[charliedid]

Curious where you bought that chain from and why it seems a section of it is upside down? Did you piece it together somehow?

Glad you didn't get hurt.

[bikinchris]

Counterfeit chains are VERY bad for cracking side plates. Some degreasers can also cause this by altering the metal.

[jadmt]

Originally Posted by charliedid

Curious where you bought that chain from and why it seems a section of it is upside down? Did you piece it together somehow?

Glad you didn't get hurt.

all my shimano chains have links that are randomly flipped just like that. All bike shop purchased.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by jadmt

all my shimano chains have links that are randomly flipped just like that. All bike shop purchased.

And even if they were all aligned at the start on the new chain, they would have to flip somewhere once it was installed.

[johnniecakes]

Originally Posted by Louis

Out of curiosity, have you checked the elongation? (elsewhere, not included the bad link) I wonder where that is compared to the side-plate crack.

After I found the broken link and before it got removed I checked for elongation with the Park tool and it was less than .75. I also checked with the Park ruler and could not see any real elongation over 10 inches.

I found it because when I lube the chain I put a tiny drop on each link. If it been on the inside probably would have gone unnoticed.

Since I have several bikes don't know where I got it or when.

Just wonder how many times it was ridden like that.

[Louis]

Originally Posted by johnniecakes

Just wonder how many times it was ridden like that.

Probably not many (unless you weigh < 100 lbs)

[Louis]

Originally Posted by johnniecakes

After I found the broken link and before it got removed I checked for elongation with the Park tool and it was less than .75. I also checked with the Park ruler and could not see any real elongation over 10 inches.

Interesting.

That suggests that the root cause was not over-use, but literally a "weak link."

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Louis

And even if they were all aligned at the start on the new chain, they would have to flip somewhere once it was installed.

So I'm just being dense? :-)

[Louis]

Originally Posted by charliedid

So I'm just being dense? :-)