Ugh, My Chain Came Off During My Ride Today!

[kajero]

I cross chained while switching gears on my bicycle today which caused the chain to come off. That part wasn't as bad as putting the chain back on. Is there any way to avoid getting grease all over my hands when I put the chain back on -- beside not cross chaining in the first place? :confused:

[smittykitty]

Carry a pr of disposable gloves in your seat bag. DH used a pr the other day helping a friend fix a flat. They were totally covered in grease! Saved his white bar tape!

[emily_in_nc]

What smittykitty said. Other than that, it's also smart to carry an individually wrapped wipe (Wet-n-Dry or whatever) in case any grease gets on your hands (or you get the famous "chainring tattoo" on your leg.

[lph]

If it comes off the largest chainring while pedalling it's worth a try to shift down again and try to get it on while still pedalling. Try a few times. With luck you may get it back on before you've rolled to a stop :-) Otherwise it's possible to grab a twig or something to lift the chain with to keep grease off your hands, but I usually just get dirty.

[kajero]

Yep, I carry wet ones. Only I opened them up and they had all dried out due to the heat. Better luck next time?????

[kajero]

I never even thought of disposable gloves. And they don't take up any room. I will put some in my seat bag as soon as I remember!

[pinsonp2]

You might also try a chain keeper http://www.amazon.com/Third-Eye-Bicycle-Chainwatcher-Universal/dp/B000AO3HO2/ref=sr_1_9?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1408620921&sr=1-9&keywords=chain+keeper

P2

[Crankin]

I never have to put the chain back on manually, on the rare occasion it comes off. Keep pedaling and quickly put the front derailleur into the biggest ring. The chain will go back on when you do this. You just have to be quick and once it goes back on, get yourself into a gear that isn't cross chained!

[kajero]

I am not sure I can think fast enough to do that! :rolleyes:

[Crankin]

It becomes a habit...

[Aromig]

I also carry individual "Monkey wipes" in my pack. I use them to handle the chain, and then to wipe any grease off of the me or the frame. The few times I've dropped a chain I've been thrilled to have one in my pack.

[ny biker]

I think sometimes if you pedal backwards, the chain will go back on.

[smittykitty]

A little water bottle squirt on the dried up wipes and they are rejuvenated (if you are carrying any plain water).

[pll]

I think sometimes if you pedal backwards, the chain will go back on.

It does. Just take the pressure off the pedals and do it gently. Shift back to where you were originally. It happened to me a few days ago after shifting, has happened also while climbing.

Chain grease on your hands... that's why the shorts should be black! :rolleyes:

[malkin]

I used to drop the chain and shift it back on in the same place on my old commute a couple times each week. When I got a new bike, I never dropped there anymore and I doubt that I could shift it back on. Seems like the work of small mischievous supernatural beings; maybe they just liked that purple aluminum frame.

[brigada]

or maybe the chain was a couple of links too long :D

[tulip]

I put my chain back on with my foot. Takes some practice but it's quite practical.

[Cyclegalnyc]

You can avoid having to even get off the bike by practicing this: As soon as the chain is dropped, click back into the LARGE chain ring and start to pedal VERY SLOWLY. If done correctly, the chain will reattach and then you can drop back into the small chain ring. If your chain has come off to the complete inside of the crank arm, you will need to use your hand (or a large stick if nearby).