chain link

[musicbooks]

Hi,
Yesterday coming back from work, my chain started crunching every 3 or four turns. When I got home I checked the chain and one of the links had popped off its sprocket and was bent out (hence the crunch). With a pair of pliers I popped it back on the pin and squeezed it straight. I did a test cycle and all is well. However, I am concerned that the chain is now weak. Is it likely to pop out again and should I replace the whole link or even the chain.

Thanks in advance for advice.

BW
musicbooks

 

[flecc]

If you mean one of the side plates had come off the chainlink pin, it could have happened if something like a small stone or piece of metal had got between a sprocket tooth and the chainlink, forcing the plate out.

If that's the case, it will probably be ok now since there's normally almost no side thrust to worry about.
.

 

[musicbooks]

If you mean one of the side plates had come off the chainlink pin, it could have happened if something like a small stone or piece of metal had got between a sprocket tooth and the chainlink, forcing the plate out.

If that's the case, it will probably be ok now since there's normally almost no side thrust to worry about.
.

That's right, T, the side plate had come unstuck from one of the pins. I squeezed it back together with pliers and all seems well. Just worried that it could fly off half way down a hill (or up)

Thanks for your help and reassurance.

T
BW
musicbooks

 

[Mussels]

If you are worried about it coming out again the the SRAM Powerlinks are a good replacement. You don't need to fit it straight away but it could sit in your toolkit so a snapped chain doesn't mean you have a long walk home. Just don't buy the version in Halfords, it is utter rubbish.
When my chain snapped I was very thankful to have a hub motor.

 

[flecc]

I'm afraid the otherwise excellent Powerlinks that Mussels mentions are only for derailleur gear chains.

Your Agattu hub gear chain is a wider 1/8" pitch one which can't use them, but after removing the offending chain section you can use one of these clip type connectors which are available from any good cycle shop. The rounded end of the retaining clip is mounted at the front in the direction of travel:

 

[Lloyd_50cycles]

I wouldn't personally recommend this type. They do fit the chain, but don't work very well with the Panasonic motor unit. The extra width of the link makes it prone to catching on the motor sprocket and chain tensioner. I would recommend keeping a chain tool in your kit, as even with a clip on link you could still find yourself having to use a chaintool to push out a damaged link should you snap your chain.

All the best

Lloyd

 

[musicbooks]

I wouldn't personally recommend this type. They do fit the chain, but don't work very well with the Panasonic motor unit. The extra width of the link makes it prone to catching on the motor sprocket and chain tensioner. I would recommend keeping a chain tool in your kit, as even with a clip on link you could still find yourself having to use a chaintool to push out a damaged link should you snap your chain.

All the best

Lloyd

Thanks Lloyd ( and everyone) for the advice. I'll keep an eye on it. Could you recommend a decent (and cheap.. I am Scottish!) chain tool?

bw
musicbooks

 

[flecc]

Decent bike shops stock various types Tom, some larger and easier to use and some more compact for on road use. Here's photos of a couple of typical types, one larger, one small. See below for how to use, and expect to pay from about £8 to £15 for the larger budget tool:

The following link gives advice on how they are used:

Chain tool advice
.

 

[fishingpaul]

Thanks Lloyd ( and everyone) for the advice. I'll keep an eye on it. Could you recommend a decent (and cheap.. I am Scottish!) chain tool?

bw
musicbooks

If you live by a hawk cycles shop they do one for about £4.

 

[flecc]

If you live by a hawk cycles shop they do one for about £4.

Unfortunately musicbooks is at Bath, and the CycleKing/Hawk Cycles discount group don't have any western branches.

CycleKing/Hawk
.

 

[Citrus]

Park tools QKCT5 Mini Chain Brute Chain Tool

This is the one I use and carry around with me all the time in my portable tool kit - it is an invaluable piece of kit. I didn't pay £14.99 for mine though - got it for £8 off ebay last year.

 

[Mussels]

If you are buying it as an emergency tool to carry with you then a multi tool may be a good idea, I got this one from Halfords for £13 and use it for a lot of jobs on my bike even when I'm at home. The chain splitter works fine on a 7 speed chain after a little practice.

Bikehut Multitool With Chain Tool from Halfords Price £13.99

 

[musicbooks]

Thanks for your help guys,
I'll let a few moths out of the wallet and see what I can afford
bw
musicbooks

 

[john]

With some chains, once a pin has come out you have to replace it with a larger diameter pin or it will not be tight enough.

 

[Mussels]

Thanks for your help guys,
I'll let a few moths out of the wallet and see what I can afford
bw
musicbooks

New chains are £4 each so it may not be worth messing about with fixing it. If you've done a lot of miles the cogs may need replacing with the chain and it can get more expensive.