Roadside Bicycle Chain Repair - without master link

We'll show you how to repair a chain on the roadside to allow you to get home. To fix a chain (mend a chain) on a road bike or mountain bike, all you'll need is a chain tool. We'll demonstrate on a bike stand with a standard chain tool, but a good chain tool as part of a multi tool will do the job is you have a broken chain or snapped chain. First you will want to remove the entire chain link where it is broken which includes both the pin of the outer plates (where the break is most frequent). Then push the pin out or the other part of the chain link just part way such that you can snap it back into the other side of the chain. Don't push the pin to far or you will never be able to re-attach the end of the chains.

I do not carry a spare master link for my chain because I have found that for 10 speed and 11 speed chain, using such a link really requires special tool for removal and re-assembly. In addition, your master link may not fit your fellow cyclist broken chain.

With practice, you can fix a chain in minutes and be back cycling. One caution, the chain is now shorter by one link so try not to use the large chain ring with the larger cogs of the cassette of your bicycle. Be sure to replace the chain when you get home because it is shorter and may have other weak or damaged chain links.

The most common causes of chain damage or breakage are poor quality chain, shifting under load (such as trying to shift while applying maximum force on a steep hill), or improper chain replacement during bicycle maintenance or repair. In this later case, the pin of the chain or master link may not have engaged the plate or been push to far through the link.

Indications of a partially broken or bent chain link are chain jumping or clicking about every 3 pedal revolutions while cycling. Stop bicycling and take a close look at the chain as you turn the crank to pedal backwards. The damaged link will be obvious as it passes through the pulley wheels of the rear derailleur.