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  1. Yes, the chain is cracked. Has this chain ever been degreased with Simple Green or a similar solvent?

  2. Yes. It is dead. Stop riding.

    Have you been degreasing it with a general citrus degreaser like Simple Green? If so, stop using it. Simple Green makes an aerospace degreaser, which is fine – this is called hydrogen embrittlement. Any bike degreaser is also fine.

  3. Check your chain rings and cassette for wear. If anything is worn, then you have the privilege of buying a new drivetrain.

  4. I’m not trying to be snarky here, but I’d like to hear one other possible conclusion you could draw, based on the irregularly shaped breaks and how they occur at different locations on different links. It’s hard to take the question seriously.

  5. CalligrapherPlane731 on

    Yeah, this chain is a time bomb. Also, consider that chains break when they are under the most load; a chain breaking likely means you are on the ground. Replaced this immediately before your next ride. I would treat this chain like it’s already broken.

    People degrease chains? There is absolutely no need for that and, as you can see, it’s could be harmful. When you apply new lube, whether petroleum based or wax, while the chain is wet, spin the drivetrain to work any contaminants out, and then wipe those off with a rag. Or if you wax in a pot, just let the molten wax flush out contaminants; stir the pot with the chain.

    Each pivot in a chain link is a bearing. You would never degrease a bearing. You should treat your chain the same way. Even if you don’t embrittle the chain, you expose the bearing surface to oxidization and it’ll wear faster.

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