Breakdown!

[johnridley]

Last night, I picked up a piece of glass in my tire. Big enough leak to hear, but I was only a mile from home so I just rode on in and changed the tube once I got there.
This morning, I went to shift up (in front) and the SRAM link just fell apart. Luckily, only about a mile from Dexter, so I walked to the top of the hill, coasted in from there, and bought a 99 cent main link at the hardware store.

Observations:

• I've been breaking down, but fairly close to services, so not too bad I guess.


• I didn't know SRAM links could just come apart like that; I guess I'd better start carrying a spare or two.


• I'm not actually sure I like the SRAM better than the cheapo Bell link, though the Bell instructions say you need a rivet tool to get it off, so it's probably not reusable.

I guess I should just go back to basics, use standard links and a chain tool. Chains falling apart at speed are potentially dangerous, so that's the right route, really.

Riding this week for 3 days; once back on the 6th, only 3 times in June.

Comments

[kevinnickerson.livejournal.com]

Ya know, when bikes start having memory modules built into the chains, they've probably become too high tech.

I'm sure you have a reason not to use a classic master link with a split 'ring' even though they never pop apart and don't require any special tool beyond a flat blade screwdriver.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

Har, har. Though, you can get training computers that have strain gauges in the pedal stems with wireless transmitters, to track how much force you're putting into the pedals. That's kinda close.

I posted on BikeForums, and it turns out I shot myself in the foot on this one.

The link is supposed to be easily removable by hand, but won't come apart under normal use. I screwed up by using pliers to force it apart when I cleaned it a while back, and doing that damages the master link. I did not know this before.

The SRAM power link is actually simpler than a conventional master link. It's just two plates, each with one rivet, the end of the rivets have a groove, and the plate has an oblong hole that detents a bit where the rivet rests when together, so it snaps into place. The normal tension of the chain holds it together. By forcing it open, I knocked down the corner of the detent, and probably damaged the groove as well, making it easy for them to just fall apart.

When taken apart properly, you squeeze the two plates together, lifting the rivet out of the detent, then it just slides apart. Once you figure it out, it's supposedly very easy to do totally by hand.

I don't think you can use a classic master link on a multispeed bike; the link is too wide and it'd get caught in the deraillers/sprockets while shifting. I've never seen one, anyway.

The cheapo I picked up at the hardware store was KINDA like a master link; a plate with two rivets with grooves, then a closing plate with a long slot that goes in the grooves, and a hole very near one end. You put one rivet through the hole, slide the plate down, then bend the chain until the rivets are close enough together to get the 2nd rivet end through the hole. Takes about 5 seconds to put on, and doesn't add width to the chain.

Most bike chains don't use a master link at all, they just have you press the rivet in to a normal link with a chain tool. SRAM and Wipperman have the quick links. You won't see me using Wipperman chains; while they are the best, I'm not really in the market for $350 titanium chains. Yes, really.

<rant>
Cycling has got to be one of the worst sports for having screwed up a wonderful, simple thing with too much technology elitism. The receptionist at my dentist has a bike mechanic husband, and she doesn't understand why I don't get $200 shoes, $200 pedals, a $2000 bike, $300 saddle, $150 jerseys, etc, etc. One of the things I enjoy about cycling is simplicity; all that crap would just make me thing more about the equipment than the experience. I don't believe that I'd enjoy a $2000 bike 10 times more than a $200 bike. Cycling for the masses, particularly for utility as opposed to recreation, is practically a nonexistant concept in this country. It's either for racing snobs or kids.
</rant>