Help: Bike chain completely fell off

Connemara · Sep 29, 2008

I was riding home tonight and my chain fell off of my bike (as in off of the sprockets and onto the ground

). I have never experienced this and don't know how to fix it. Can someone point me to a good tutorial or tell me how to do it?

sonick · Sep 29, 2008

google?

is it still in a loop, or did the chain break? As far as I know, it can't fully come off the bike if it didn't break (at least with mountain bikes with rear derailleurs).

If it broke, you'd need a chain tool to remove the broken link and connect it back together.

jkennett · Sep 29, 2008

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

I agree with Sonick that this sounds really weird.... Your chain shouldn't be able to fall onto the ground unless it breaks. Maybe it was on wrong in the first place?

Connemara · Sep 29, 2008

Originally Posted by sonick

google? is it still in a loop, or did the chain break? As far as I know, it can't fully come off the bike if it didn't break (at least with mountain bikes with rear derailleurs). If it broke, you'd need a chain tool to remove the broken link and connect it back together.
It broke.

sonick · Sep 29, 2008

Ah... Been awhile since my mountain-biking phase... but from what I remember the gist of it would be:

buy a chain tool,
remove the broken link (top) with aforementioned chain tool (shortening the chain by one link shouldn't cause a problem)
thread the chain through the rear derailleur,
re-connect two ends with chain tool
stretch the chain over bottom of front-gear cogs so that it 'grabs' the chain
turn pedals backwards (i.e. clockwise) to lead the rest of the chain over the rest of the cogs.

Better instructions here: http://www.bicyclinglife.com/HowTo/ChangeAChain.htm

Connemara · Sep 29, 2008

For reference, this chain is really old. Should I just get a new one?

Huntsman · Sep 29, 2008

Something initiated that failure: defect in the steel, defect in the component, environmental factors acting upon it, unusual stresses, or a combination thereof. Apart from something being wrong with your bike that is subjecting the chain to unusual stress, any of those other factors have a decent probability of occurring in other links of that chain. So I'd buy a new one.

FLMountainMan · Sep 29, 2008

It's pretty simple mechanical device, if it isn't salvageable, buy a new one.

sonick · Sep 29, 2008

Yah buy a new one then, it'd probably break again if that's the case. You'd still have to go through pretty much the same procedure for a new chain anyhow.

And not a knock on conne, but I agree with ^ (pre-toned down version); it's amazing how little some individuals of my generation (I'm 22) know how to work with their hands, or fix random household items.

FLMountainMan · Sep 29, 2008

Originally Posted by sonick

Yah buy a new one then, it'd probably break again if that's the case. You'd still have to go through pretty much the same procedure for a new chain anyhow.

And not a knock on conne, but I agree with ^ (pre-toned down version); it's amazing how little some individuals of my generation (I'm 22) know how to work with their hands, or fix random household items.

No shiat. The blue collar tradesmen must be licking their chops. It used to just be the women they could fleece. "Yeah, changing that air filter will cost ya $50.00....."

Bad news for the auto parts stores though.

Connemara · Sep 29, 2008

I could do it myself if necessary you macho bastards.

ms244 · Sep 29, 2008

Fold the chain in two, place it horizontally on a table or similar so that 3/4 or more is off the edge. If its sagging a good bit, the chain is toast. Get a new one.

+1 on the lack of skills. The worst is the idea that mechanical/hands on skills is below them.

If you want to redeem yourself, buy my lathe.

dl20 · Sep 29, 2008

Chains can also stretch over time. Buy a new one and a pocket sized chain tool.

dl

DNW · Sep 29, 2008

Originally Posted by ms244

If you want to redeem yourself, buy a latte.
fixed

bbaquiran · Sep 30, 2008

I notice a lot of rust on your chain. Do you even lube it?

Help: Bike chain completely fell off

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