My chain snapped on a steep hill in Seattle and I had to walk home

It happened two days ago on the climb up Queen Anne. I was putting down some power and there was a loud crack, then the pedals spun free. The chain broke right at the master link. I didn't have a chain tool or a spare link in my bag, just a multi-tool and a patch kit. So I had to push my bike the rest of the way up the hill and then walk it two miles home. It was a brand new chain I put on maybe four months ago. I think I messed up the master link when I installed it. I've since bought a proper chain breaker and a few extra links. Has anyone else had a new chain fail that fast? I'm wondering if I should just avoid master links altogether and pin it the old way.

2 comments

2 Comments

mila3951d ago

Ugh, that's the worst feeling. Honestly, I've done the walk of shame with a dead bike more times than I want to admit. Tbh I once had a brand new tire blow its sidewall out on a flat road because I pinched the tube putting it on. Felt like a total genius. I still use master links though, I just triple check the snap now.

the_phoenix1d ago

Read a forum post once where a guy swore he heard the master link click, rode half a mile, and then his chain just exploded at a stoplight. Makes me paranoid every single time I put one on now. I always do the pull test on both sides after the snap, even if it felt solid. That story stuck with me because it's such a simple thing to mess up, but the result is so totally annoying. Like you're just stranded over a tiny piece of metal.