I'm fairly new to MTB and wasn't aware of when to shift. I've been shifting under high load going up steep inclines. The drivetrain is a Microshift 1×9. Ive broken 2 SRAM PC971 chains. Drivetrain seems fine going through the gears, smooth, no clicking or clunking, easily goes into the largest gear. This is most likely caused by my lack of shifting skill??
by canuevendoublehaul
12 Comments
Shifting timing certainly is a factor. Are you reusing chain pins, by any chance? If so, don’t.
A bit of experience but also shit components.
SRAM for example is designed to shift under heavy load.
You should get in the habit of easing off the pressure when changing gear.
When you install the new chain, are you using a quick-link? Or are you removing a pin from a chain and reconnecting it? The latter is not a good practice and will end much like your picture.
I too use a MicroShift cassette on my gravel bike, but I use a KMC chain that comes with a quicklink.
Shimano Cues also.
How’s your chain line?
‘ I’ve been shifting under high load going up steep inclines.’ That’ll do it
Where are you buying the chains from?
There’s a chance they might be fake.
Seems you admitted to be I’ma have of shifting under load, where sometimes you may hear a big clank in the chain area because of that.
I’d say ease of the power momentarily when shifting and once the shift is complete return all power you need
I’m only posting here cause it came up on my feed, I usually post in bmx, but are MTB compatible with ‘layered’ chains? In bmx the tough chains the links all overlap for extra strength, if your sprocket and derailleur are compatible Shadow Conspiracy offers a lifetime warranty on their Interlock Supreme, considered the toughest chain on the market, hell even mobility chair websites sell it for their products.
I would recommend never shifting under high load, even if you’re going up an incline.
One trick I’ve used on an incline to deload the chain is to take a 90° turn across the road, do my shift, then turn back up the road again.
I never shift under load, the only straight up broken chain I’ve ever had was the result of the one and only time I did so whilst also cross chaining (chain on the largest gear in the front whilst also on the largest on the back). I had just bought the bike used and immediately thought “oh no…”. I ran back to the shop as the owner was locking up, he had it fixed in 2 minutes and told me to never shift under load, and that this road bike shifted a little differently than the MTB I was used to at the time.
Last broken chain I’ve ever had lol. Now they just get worn. If you don’t think you have a drivetrain issue otherwise, it’s very likely you caused these breaks yourself. Try another chain (or at least some new pins on one of these)and see if it happens without any load shifting.
It seems a bit weird to me. I’ve been carelessly shifting my eMTB under load for 4 years, also while climbing steep hills, and never had any chain issues. Using SRAM PC1130 11 speed chains.