Brand new Haibike, two broken chains in first 35 miles, and other problems, advice needed

[Croxden]

The chain on my Haibike clearly broke half way through the link. I had a photo somewhere.

 

[Crockers]

If it's a Haibike couldn't you have use a plastic tie

 

[Woosh]

If it's a Haibike couldn't you have use a plastic tie

you should get a patent for this 'soft link'.

 

[EddiePJ]

If it's a Haibike couldn't you have use a plastic tie

I so wanted to say that, but could see a couple of H bike owners getting their cable ties in a twist if I had.

 

[Bigdaddyuk666]

I don't get it I haven't got a single plastic tie on my bike .

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[DAJ]

Is there a missing link connection on the second chain? I wonder if the bike shop manually fitted a normal link pin and that is what parted.

 

[KTM Bike Industries UK]

Here are some pics.

First broken chain -

Second broken chain -

Looks like there could be 2 separate issues. The first one must have been caused by the missing link not being fitted properly, the chances of the break being caused by anything else just by change on that link are too remote.

So thats the first one.

The second one is a new chain and a 10speed one, so I'd bet the "eBike specific" shop didn't fit it correctly. 10speed chains often have a direction. If you fit it the wrong way, it'll snap. I'm not sure why, but it does... I've done it on my normal bike, or as mentioned above they simply didn't fit it very well and its failed.

eBikes don't really need specific chains, they put out a wattage that is no more than a normal cyclist can do.

I bet if you get a third chain fitted correctly you'll be fine. I can't see that these 2 problems are anything more than a bad build quality on the first one, and then incorrect fitting on the 2nd.

 

[fatwomble]

Looks like there could be 2 separate issues. The first one must have been caused by the missing link not being fitted properly, the chances of the break being caused by anything else just by change on that link are too remote.

So thats the first one.

The second one is a new chain and a 10speed one, so I'd bet the "eBike specific" shop didn't fit it correctly. 10speed chains often have a direction. If you fit it the wrong way, it'll snap. I'm not sure why, but it does... I've done it on my normal bike, or as mentioned above they simply didn't fit it very well and its failed.

eBikes don't really need specific chains, they put out a wattage that is no more than a normal cyclist can do.

I bet if you get a third chain fitted correctly you'll be fine. I can't see that these 2 problems are anything more than a bad build quality on the first one, and then incorrect fitting on the 2nd.

I had no idea that Shimano 10 speed chains are asymmetrical, never gave it a second thought after so many years with 9 speed chains. Found these instructions.


3) When joining the chain, always join so the connecting pin is leading the link in the direction of chain travel. So if you are joining the chain along the lower length of chain on the bike you will have the inner link in your left hand, and outer link in your right hand as they meet.

4) Shimano 10sp chains are asymmetrical, and should be installed so the chain writing faces outwards towards you as you install the chain. It doesn't matter which way up or down the writing faces (if you look along the chain you will see it changes anyway). In anycase the step above will dictate this.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Looking at the Shimano 10-speed chain, it has an asymmetric chamfer on the side-plate. I guess that's to improve gear-changing or noise when changing or something like that. I can't see that it could have any bearing on the chain snapping. Much more likely is something like an incidence of chain suck.

 

[Woosh]

the first chain showed a damaged missing link.
The second chain has lost its missing link altogether.
Both chains could have failed because the missing links are not up to the job.
Don't forget, the missing link is not as strong as normal links against torsion.

 

[Bigdaddyuk666]

Never had an issue with the missing links in over 6000 miles of using them . 3 chains in total but new missing link on each

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[KTM Bike Industries UK]

Looking at the Shimano 10-speed chain, it has an asymmetric chamfer on the side-plate. I guess that's to improve gear-changing or noise when changing or something like that. I can't see that it could have any bearing on the chain snapping. Much more likely is something like an incidence of chain suck.

I'd agree... apart from the fact that every chain I've tried fitting the other way has snapped within 30 miles, and everyone I know who;s fitted a 10sp chain the wrong way has snapped it within 30 miles. I can't explain it, but it happens.

 

[Bigdaddyuk666]

Doesn't explain if it was an x10e it's a bi directional chain

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[KTM Bike Industries UK]

Doesn't explain if it was an x10e it's a bi directional chain

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my point was more that chain 1 failed because the missing link wasn't fitted correctly.

chain 2 failed because the bike shop didn't fit it correctly... neither of them is the fault of the chain, or the bike.

 

[Bigdaddyuk666]

Ahh ok sorry if they can't fit a chain properly that's poor . Even I changed my chain successfully with no problems.

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[KTM Bike Industries UK]

Ahh ok sorry if they can't fit a chain properly that's poor . Even I changed my chain successfully with no problems.

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This is the problem I have with some "eBike specialist" shops.

I've been into a shocking number of eBike shops who know a lot about e, and nothing about bikes.

The bike is 99% of an eBike, and think some haven't realised that, shall we say.

 

[Bigdaddyuk666]

That's why I decided to do all my maintenance myself

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[2Lazy]

Thanks for all the comments. I took the bike into the shop today. They said the problem is likely a faulty batch of chain links. I've no doubt used incorrect terminology here but basically they meant a faulty batch of the special link bit that joints the two ends of the chain together. Their proposed solution was to not use a special link bit at all and instead join the two ends of the chain together using a regular link.

I left them to fix the bike while I waited since the shop is a 50 mile drive from where I live. Then I got a call from the shop saying that it wasn't the special link bit that had failed after all and it was in fact a regular link on the chain that had failed which they thought was rather odd. So their solution is now to use a different type of chain, one designed specifically for my derailleur/ cassette but unfortunately they need to order the part in so I've had to leave the bike with them and I'll have to collect it again in a couple of days - so yet another 100 mile round trip.

I think the lesson here is always buy an ebike locally if you can. Which I would have done except that the only Haibike dealer in my local area is Evans and well.....let's not even get started on that one!

I'm not a bike expert but I'm left wondering about two things -

1. If the two ends of the chain can be connected using a regular chain link and this method provides a stronger chain than using a special chain link thingy why use a special chain link thingy in the first place?

2. If some chains should only be fitted in a certain direction- and given that incorrect fitting could well be the reason my second chain failed - how does one tell if the chain has been fitted with the correct direction of travel?

 

[Woosh]

2Lazy, KMC chains are non directional. Missing links are there to make the job of fitting a chain simpler for the user and technicians. I don't use special links on my bikes, just use regular pins.

 

[Croxden]

With mine the links broke, I have photos some where. The replacement has been fine and it is an 11 speed SRAM.