R8000 Chain - What to do if I need to break the chain while on a ride?
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R8000 Chain - What to do if I need to break the chain while on a ride?
So I carry a chain breaker; however, the R8000 has a quick link on it. My understanding is a quick link still requires a special pair of pliers.
So if I break down, do I just break the chain as I normally would?
So if I break down, do I just break the chain as I normally would?
#2
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Chains joined by a quick link must be broken by removing the quick link. Never had to do that on the road in all my years of riding. A wipperman link requires no tool to remove.
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You will need replacement quick links in addition to your chain breaker. I also carry the cut-off links from sizing the chain in case I need to splice in some additional links. I carry a tool made of coat hanger wire to open the quick link and to hold the ends together while I install the link, kind of like this one: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/q...ink-in-a-chain Mine has some zig-zags in it to hold the chain better. There is also a method using a rock, see online.
If the quick link breaks replace it. If the chain breaks somewhere else, cut the chain to remove outer plates on either side of the break so that you can join the exposed inner plates with the quick link. If you have more than one damaged link is where the spare links come in handy, so you do not have to shorten your chain, but you will need a second quick link to splice them in.
Edit: You can have more than one quick link in a chain without issue.
If the quick link breaks replace it. If the chain breaks somewhere else, cut the chain to remove outer plates on either side of the break so that you can join the exposed inner plates with the quick link. If you have more than one damaged link is where the spare links come in handy, so you do not have to shorten your chain, but you will need a second quick link to splice them in.
Edit: You can have more than one quick link in a chain without issue.
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You will need replacement quick links in addition to your chain breaker. I also carry the cut-off links from sizing the chain in case I need to splice in some additional links. I carry a tool made of coat hanger wire to open the quick link and to hold the ends together while I install the link, kind of like this one: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/q...ink-in-a-chain Mine has some zig-zags in it to hold the chain better. There is also a method using a rock, see online.
If the quick link breaks replace it. If the chain breaks somewhere else, cut the chain to remove outer plates on either side of the break so that you can join the exposed inner plates with the quick link. If you have more than one damaged link is where the spare links come in handy, so you do not have to shorten your chain, but you will need a second quick link to splice them in.
Edit: You can have more than one quick link in a chain without issue.
If the quick link breaks replace it. If the chain breaks somewhere else, cut the chain to remove outer plates on either side of the break so that you can join the exposed inner plates with the quick link. If you have more than one damaged link is where the spare links come in handy, so you do not have to shorten your chain, but you will need a second quick link to splice them in.
Edit: You can have more than one quick link in a chain without issue.
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to use one since, which covers ~85k miles of riding.....
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I agree, chain breaks is likely the least of my concerns. I'm not a pushing my bike to its limits, and my bike is well maintained.
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Any quick link that's the proper width (9-speed, 10-speed, 11-speed, etc.) for your chain will work. Shimano, KMC, and Wipperman are all suitable. As noted, the Wipperman Connex link dosn't require a tool to remove while the others are tight enough that a pair of quick link pliers are very useful if not essential. None of them require a tool to install.
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Wolftooth Pack Pliers. They have storage for extra links and can be used a tire levers. A little expensive but a very good tool. There are also plastic ones out there. Lighter and cheaper but not by much. Also not as durable. I
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Chain tool and quick link will get you going in a number of low probability situations.
If your chain is proper length, then removing one damaged link will make the big/big combination unusable, but otherwise you're good.
If your rear derailleur fails, the same items could get your rig rolling as a single-speed.
I had a quick-link come apart on a ride, in the midst of a rough shift. I was halfway through a brevet, solo, in rural Ohio. I found one half of the quick-link pretty quickly, but never found the second. My spare quick-link saved my ride; I was rolling again in 10 minutes.
If you look in the repair kit of cyclotourists and randonneurs, it often tells the stories of their experiences. I've encountered some oddities like cleats and once a left crank-arm, but I think chain tools are next in line after flat repair and spokes. I carry two quick-links and a multi-tool with built in chain-break.
If your chain is proper length, then removing one damaged link will make the big/big combination unusable, but otherwise you're good.
If your rear derailleur fails, the same items could get your rig rolling as a single-speed.
I had a quick-link come apart on a ride, in the midst of a rough shift. I was halfway through a brevet, solo, in rural Ohio. I found one half of the quick-link pretty quickly, but never found the second. My spare quick-link saved my ride; I was rolling again in 10 minutes.
If you look in the repair kit of cyclotourists and randonneurs, it often tells the stories of their experiences. I've encountered some oddities like cleats and once a left crank-arm, but I think chain tools are next in line after flat repair and spokes. I carry two quick-links and a multi-tool with built in chain-break.
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#12
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Modern chains seldom fail but if it does break or you need to remove the chain from the bike to do whatever, you simply break the chain with you chain breaker and rejoin it with a quicklink. - You dont NEED to bring a quick link tool as well. A quick link tool is nice to have at home tho.
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Modern chains seldom fail but if it does break or you need to remove the chain from the bike to do whatever, you simply break the chain with you chain breaker and rejoin it with a quicklink. - You dont NEED to bring a quick link tool as well. A quick link tool is nice to have at home tho.
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Whenever I replace a chain I throw the old quick link in my saddle bag.
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#16
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Technically, the link on those chains is single use according to Shimano, but practically they'll usually be OK if removed and reinstalled. I'd recommend carrying a spare link, because then you can repair a damaged section of chain--this just requires a normal chain tool. Because my bikes have different chains--I have bikes in 8,9,10,11 and 12 speeds I ride regularly--I just tape the spare quick link to the saddle rails of my bikes so I don't need to keep track of it (because I don't have tool/flat kits on my bikes). If for whatever reason you need to remove a quick link on the road, if you have a thin, strong cord or wire, you can thread it over the quick link, cross it over itself, and pull. I happen to use a small section of nylon sheathed dyneema chord as a keychain, which handily does the job.
is a reasonable demonstration. Admittedly this hasn't come up for me particularly often.
Master link pliars are a nice tool to keep at home, though.
Master link pliars are a nice tool to keep at home, though.
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#18
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^ hunm... I do similar to the video above, but doesn't come out that easily ..... and I have leather gloves on me to not hurt myself.
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You will need replacement quick links in addition to your chain breaker. I also carry the cut-off links from sizing the chain in case I need to splice in some additional links. I carry a tool made of coat hanger wire to open the quick link and to hold the ends together while I install the link, kind of like this one: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/q...ink-in-a-chain Mine has some zig-zags in it to hold the chain better.
#20
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In all my years of riding (at least 50) I've never broken a chain. It would never occur to me to carry anything. I've used all the brands of chains out there from 5sp up to 10, but not 11.