Using a chain as a hacksaw inadvertently
06-23-19, 11:12 AM
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Using a chain as a hacksaw inadvertently
So last Thursday, once again I was running late while preparing for the 6pm club ride. I was riding my 10 speed Dura Ace 7800 equipped bike and had been dunking my Shimano chain in Molten Speed Wax in a mini-crock pot so that I could hopefully fish it out hot, mount it quickly with the KMC quick link I was using and then ride it right away with a somewhat silent drivetrain.
A phone call I was on took too long so I was rushing to leave my home on time and sort of slapped the chain on there and fished the stiff links through the derailleur cage. It was drizzling and despite a weather Doppler report indicating that the worst of the rain was over, it started raining lightly and before long the rain was steady. While on the group ride I was getting a face full of hot roostertail grit water off the wheel of the strong person I was drafting. I notice a vague clattering that I attributed to the chain wax being a bit stiff through the cage, maybe the individual links were not flexing fully.
Chainsaw/bike chain acting as a hacksaw details to follow:
A phone call I was on took too long so I was rushing to leave my home on time and sort of slapped the chain on there and fished the stiff links through the derailleur cage. It was drizzling and despite a weather Doppler report indicating that the worst of the rain was over, it started raining lightly and before long the rain was steady. While on the group ride I was getting a face full of hot roostertail grit water off the wheel of the strong person I was drafting. I notice a vague clattering that I attributed to the chain wax being a bit stiff through the cage, maybe the individual links were not flexing fully.
Chainsaw/bike chain acting as a hacksaw details to follow:
06-23-19, 12:12 PM
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Did you happen to have routed the chain the wrong way around the little tab on the derailleur cage? Done it myself.
06-23-19, 12:29 PM
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I wondered if that was the issue as I rode but didn't check it since the 50 mile ride was on didn't really stop for much. Turns out I was indeed on the wrong side of the derailleur cage tab and the chain outer plate wore a groove pretty far down. The groove is so deep that had I continued, that little tab might have been sawed right off.
Now that the chain is (about to be) routed correctly through the pulleys, hopefully there will be no further issue. I suppose I might have shorted the chain life slightly. The tab on the derailleur cage is weakened but it is not functional for anything other than keeping the chain oriented correctly, as far as I can tell.
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06-23-19, 12:41 PM
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06-23-19, 01:35 PM
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Don't feel bad.
I inadvertently used my fixed gear chain (and sprocket) as a chainsaw and nearly cut off the top of my thumb while wiping excess lube off. I managed to cut halfway across and into the bone.
I inadvertently used my fixed gear chain (and sprocket) as a chainsaw and nearly cut off the top of my thumb while wiping excess lube off. I managed to cut halfway across and into the bone.
06-23-19, 03:39 PM
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Fixed gears are kind of scary that way, lots of leverage and inertia. Fingers don't stand much of a chance.
06-23-19, 10:45 PM
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OrenNoah, I didn't cut my thumb, but I did grind all the flesh off my chin down to the bone.
You get old enough, and you're able to relate to everyone's story. Sheesh.
I hope your stitches come out painlessly, and that you heal quickly.
06-24-19, 10:07 AM
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for some reason I was envisioning a chain sawed stay....... glad that was not the case
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06-24-19, 02:58 PM
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Chain outside the derailleur cage. Been there, done that ... twice. 😡 Once was a 50 mile rain ride. Only made noise in certain gear combinations.
06-25-19, 01:34 PM
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over the years with motorcycle, car and bike wrenching, I have done all kinds of dumb things--one of them was indeed doing this same thing--in a rush, putting chain improperly through and it being over the jockey lip thing.
"whats that odd noise?"
"doh"
I too was on a ride with a ton of rain and cold and wind, and kept ignoring the sound, thinking I dont know what. Well, not ignoring, but wondering what a weird noise, but was cold and wettish, and didnt look properly.......
"whats that odd noise?"
"doh"
I too was on a ride with a ton of rain and cold and wind, and kept ignoring the sound, thinking I dont know what. Well, not ignoring, but wondering what a weird noise, but was cold and wettish, and didnt look properly.......
06-25-19, 02:28 PM
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Now that the chain is (about to be) routed correctly through the pulleys, hopefully there will be no further issue. I suppose I might have shorted the chain life slightly. The tab on the derailleur cage is weakened but it is not functional for anything other than keeping the chain oriented correctly, as far as I can tell.
06-25-19, 08:12 PM
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