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Broke a Shimano 5800 Chain. Fixable? Dangers?

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Broke a Shimano 5800 Chain. Fixable? Dangers?

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Old 09-06-18, 12:35 PM
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raria
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Broke a Shimano 5800 Chain. Fixable? Dangers?

See attached photo of break.

Can I just remove the broken link and put the chain back together?
Should I just junk the chain because its become worn?

I've had the chain for 1000 miles so not too long

Broken chain
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Old 09-06-18, 12:51 PM
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Clean the chain off and examine it very carefully. The last time I saw a break like this (heck, the first and only time I saw a break like this!), there were cracks in roughly half of the external plates. It could have been fixed either of a couple of ways, and it would then have been a ticking time bomb waiting to break again. I replaced the chain.
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Old 09-06-18, 01:07 PM
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Replace chain
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Old 09-06-18, 01:14 PM
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CliffordK
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There are a few brands that sell quick links that may work with that chain.

However, the first step would be to get the exact amount of stretch.

Lay the chain out, and measure a foot or a couple of feet of chain. Slight tension is best.

If you are over about 0.5% stretch, just toss and replace.
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Old 09-06-18, 01:44 PM
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raria
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Thanks

Thanks. Less than 0.5% stretch
​it broken when it got jambed in the FD.

chain length isnt a science so if i just remove a link there should be no problems?
Originally Posted by CliffordK
There are a few brands that sell quick links that may work with that chain.

However, the first step would be to get the exact amount of stretch.

Lay the chain out, and measure a foot or a couple of feet of chain. Slight tension is best.

If you are over about 0.5% stretch, just toss and replace.
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Old 09-06-18, 02:08 PM
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CliffordK
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Originally Posted by raria
Thanks. Less than 0.5% stretch
​it broken when it got jambed in the FD.

chain length isnt a science so if i just remove a link there should be no problems?
You will lose 2 halflinks.

Wrap the chain around the largest rear sprocket and the largest chainring (with or without the derailleurs).

If your chain is long enough then you're fine. If it comes up short, then you'll need another half link from something (left over chain?).

Keep in mind that Shimano recommends replacing the chain pins when you link it back up.

It is hard to say what I'd do. If it fit, I'd probably toss it back on, although my primary 11s bike has pretty expensive sprockets, so I've been erring on the side of toss and replace (toss in a box, and perhaps re-use later, maybe on a different bike).
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Old 09-06-18, 03:17 PM
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Just replace it with an 11 speed quick link and get more mileage out of that chain.
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Old 09-06-18, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by RocThrower
Just replace it with an 11 speed quick link and get more mileage out of that chain.
+1. Or just buy one of the new 11sp chains that come with a quicklink, use the QL on your broken chain until the chain wears out and then transfer it to the new chain. Buying just the link is not a bad idea either since you can save it as a spare when you replace this chain.
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Old 09-06-18, 08:42 PM
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I’d just replace the chain. Yes, you could try to squeeze more miles out of the broken one. Why bother? The new one is going to work and feel better, plus you have the confidence on the road/trail of a new chain that was never stressed to breaking.
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Old 09-06-18, 09:00 PM
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Buy a new chain. A wear item..... I would have fears of breaking it again founded or not.
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Old 09-07-18, 03:32 AM
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Originally Posted by PDLandis
I’d just replace the chain. Yes, you could try to squeeze more miles out of the broken one. Why bother? The new one is going to work and feel better, plus you have the confidence on the road/trail of a new chain that was never stressed to breaking.
Exactly how I feel as well.
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Old 09-13-18, 08:57 PM
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raria
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Fixed it


Originally Posted by RocThrower
Just replace it with an 11 speed quick link and get more mileage out of that chain.
Curious if the chain is now too short. This is the RD placement on the biggest chain on the biggest COG
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Old 09-14-18, 01:18 AM
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Originally Posted by raria



Curious if the chain is now too short. This is the RD placement on the biggest chain on the biggest COG
That looks fine. As long as it shifts into big/big it's OK. Shimano specifies big/big+2 for cassettes 28t or larger.
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Old 09-14-18, 09:08 AM
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raria
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Will keep as a backup chain

Thanks, but doesn't the RD look a bit stretch to you?

Originally Posted by cpach
That looks fine. As long as it shifts into big/big it's OK. Shimano specifies big/big+2 for cassettes 28t or larger.
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Old 09-14-18, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by raria
Thanks, but doesn't the RD look a bit stretch to you?
nope you could probably remove 2 more links and it would still shift to big big.
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Old 09-16-18, 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by redlude97
nope you could probably remove 2 more links and it would still shift to big big.
I have always set up drivetrains to have the RD be essentional perpendicular to the ground while on the big rings.
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Old 09-16-18, 07:12 PM
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raria
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Interesting

What part of the RD? The lower part (black in my picture) or the upper part (silver in my picture)?

Also I think you mean parallel not perpendicular

Originally Posted by PDLandis


I have always set up drivetrains to have the RD be essentional perpendicular to the ground while on the big rings.
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Old 09-16-18, 07:22 PM
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Cage of rd "T" with chain stay is what is safest bet imo.
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