My bike's chain snapped right on the Lions Gate Bridge climb

It happened yesterday evening during my usual ride home from downtown Vancouver. I was putting in a solid effort up the bridge approach when there was this awful crunch and my pedals just spun free. The chain had completely snapped, leaving me stranded on that narrow bike lane with cars whizzing by. I had to walk the bike the rest of the way up and over the bridge, which took about 25 minutes and felt pretty unsafe. I always carry a multi-tool and a spare tube, but I don't have a chain breaker or a quick link on me. It's a Shimano 105 chain with maybe 1500 km on it, so I didn't expect it to go yet. Has anyone else had a chain fail that early, and what do you guys carry for roadside chain repairs?

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3 Comments

linda3356mo ago

Man that sounds scary... glad you're okay. I've noticed modern stuff just isn't built to last anymore, my coffee maker died after a year. Makes me wonder if they're making bike chains thinner now too. I started carrying one of those tiny emergency quick links in my seat bag after a friend got stuck, it's smaller than a tube.

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derek8686mo ago

Nah, my experience is the opposite, chains last way longer now.

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hall.charles3mo ago

Ride those 105 chains myself and @derek868 is right they usually last longer than that. Maybe you hit something or a bad link from the factory. I keep a quick link and a small chain tool in my kit now after a similar snap on the Burrard Bridge. Costs almost nothing and takes up zero space.

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