Singlespeed Tip - Extra Chain Links | Blue Collar Mountain Biking

Singlespeed Tip - Extra Chain Links

May 2nd, 2007 by Brad Quartuccio

On a geared mountain bike there is really no reason to carry extra chain links along with a chain tool in your kit. In the event of chain breakage, you simply remove any broken or deformed links and put the chain back together. Due to the rear deraileur there is enough chain to take a link or two out and make it back home. You may not have enough chain to go big chainring/big cog, but it’ll work.

Not so with a singlespeed. There is no extra chain to go around - bust a link, and you’re out of luck without a few spares. An easy way to make sure you have the correct links for your drivetrain is to simply zip-tie a few to your seat rail. Yes, they’ll corrode under there, but these are spare links to be used in emergency cases only. They’ll work in a pinch and won’t leave you stranded. Just make sure you bring that chain tool along!

Soon enough I’ll give a little how-to in chain tool use, determining proper chain length and my ongoing love affair with plastic zip ties.

5 Responses to “Singlespeed Tip - Extra Chain Links”

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1 Larry in AK on May 2nd, 2007 at 6:47 pm

I competely disagree on the “don’t need to carry a master link in your kit with a tool”. Many SRAM chains have an inherrant problem with the pin bulging the hole on the opposing side of the link you are trying to put together. It’s not like a master link takes up alot of room in your tool kit.
2 Guitar Ted on May 2nd, 2007 at 9:54 pm

Larry: Possibly a problem, but my experience with SRAM chains is that this isn’t an issue. In fact, Ive strung together several bits of cut off SRAM chain at the shop and used it as a single speed chain. Don’t know how to ’splain it to ya, but there it is!

That said, a master link is pretty easy to stow. Maybe Brad can show us how to do it with a zip tie!

My procedure is to throw about five links worth in my tool wallet and in the bottom of my hydration pack. That way I have a better chance of at least having one of those around when I’m out riding. The seat rail thing is fail safe in that regard, I’ll admit.
3 Eric on May 2nd, 2007 at 10:35 pm

An excellent point about the razor’s edge that we singlespeeders ride. My only question about the zip-tied-to-the-seat-rail solution: how do to you break the zip tie in the woods? Do you carry a knife too? Why not just store it in the same bag you’re storing the tool in?
4 Larry in AK on May 4th, 2007 at 3:42 pm

Thanks GT, my comment was based on what a mechanic had told me, after I had buggerd up a chain trying to splice back together and had a failure again. I would be very interested in how to do a zip tie. I use zip ties alot for non bike projects.
5 Brad Quartuccio on May 8th, 2007 at 8:25 am

For the record, master links are nice and all but without a chaintool they’re useless in the field. And you’d still need extra links for the singlespeeders out there, as you may break/deform more than one particular link.

To get the links of chain from the seat rail just twist and break the zip tie. Then put it in your pocket, don’t leave it in the woods. No knife needed.

Singlespeed Tip - Extra Chain Links

5 Responses to “Singlespeed Tip - Extra Chain Links”

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