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In the last few rides I've snapped my chain three times. The chain is (was) a SRAM pg11-30 running on a relatively new GX cassette and a nearly new RF narrow-wide. GX mech.
The thing is, it is 'burst' outer side plates that have done it every time. They've all ruptured around the rivet.
Is it simply a duff chain from a duff batch? Have I committed an installation faux pas despite having used these chains a lot in the past? Am I just too hench?
It's pretty academic anyway as the chain is now in the bin, but if it keeps happening with a new chain I might at least know why. 🤷♂️
Quick link or put together with a chain tool?
Is it simply a duff chain from a duff batch?
Where did you buy it from? There's lots of fake chains on amazon and ebay.
check all the teeth in the drive chain.
sure its long enough? checking its tension with the suspension loaded up a bit? ie biggest sprocket at or just beyond sag?
nickc
Where did you buy it from? There’s lots of fake chains on amazon and ebay.
What? ffs it's endemic on there now with batteries, perfumes and such but now bike chains as well?! jesus tf christ
Good questions above.
Installed with quick link.
Bought from CRC.
Hardtail, so no suspension compression issues.
Oh, and teeth on the drivetrain all OK. Recently had new mech with new jockey wheels as the top jockey had lost a tooth - and was getting a bit loose in the pivots.
What?
You know that supply-chain issues have made lots of components pretty scarce though, right? Crims are going to take advantage of that
There have been some bad batches of 12 speed SRAM chains in the past - I had one break three times because the outer plates cracked then broke in two around the rivets. If the chain is new I'd take it up with CRC.
FFS - forgot. Chain was just under 0.75% wear.
Installed the chain correctly on the chain ring ? Loads of fake chains out there, only buy from well known supplier.
I had a chain that did this, caught it before it broke! Pretty sure it was from Wiggle or CRC as I don't buy them on Amazon or eBay.
[img] 
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The packaging and chains (at first glance) can look pretty convincing, It's often just teeny details that give them away, the most obvious one is a quick link that doesn't quite work.
^^^^
That's it, yes. Identical to mine pretty much. As I removed the borked chain earlier there was another 'burst' outer plate just hanging on, but ready to go bang and induce a balls-stem interface.
I'm erring towards a lax day on the QC station at SRAM HQ...
On the counterfeit issue.
I've never bought a chain from Amazon or similar. CRC 90% of the time. If they've been taken in by fakes, then so have I.
Is it simply a duff chain from a duff batch? - Probably
Have I committed an installation faux pas despite having used these chains a lot in the past? - Possibly
Am I just too hench? - doubtfull as most chains can withstand 8 to 10000N or 800 to 1000kg of force applied to them before they just rip apart
If they’ve been taken in by fakes
FWIW I stopped buying drivetrain components from CRC a while ago, as I just don't trust them to buy from reputable sources or its ex-OEM stock that's come from who-knows where. I could be entirely wrong and misguided, but I've seen mechs sold in clear plastic bags, and cassettes not in original packaging in the past and so I just go elsewhere for those parts. It cost me a few quid more every time, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting proper parts.
looking at that chain ^^^^ looks like it been running round on narrow wide 1 link out 🙂
or its ex-OEM stock that’s come from who-knows where
OEM stuff comes off the exact same production like as the aftermarket stuff, just different boxes
In answer to original question, possibly yes. But through no real fault if your own.
75% worn chain is part if your problem. Both me and and my riding buddy have snapped sram chains with the same bursting open at links.
in both cases shifting under load into big rings on a climb.
snapping once at that wear its bin it time. Repairing and expecting it to live on is i think a bit optimistic. Granted I’m ocd about stuff but i’ve only ever have chains snap once at that level of wear. Because i repaired it to get home then binned it for a new one.
The chain in my photo was a year or two old but very few miles on it! Not out of sync with narrow wide either.
I had a comedy chain-maggedon incident with a 12sp SRAM Eagle chain a couple of months ago. It looked exactly like the pictures above, with multiple cracked and broken links.
I just assumed it was because I was on my e-bike and had given it too much welly up a super steep climb, so I bought a like for like replacement.
I am a timebomb....a ticking ticking, timebomb!
I’ve had the same issue today. Chain failed with cracks on multiple links, was due to be replaced but not fully work out using the chain checker. Chain came on a new bike so proper SRAM part.
What's it being cleaned with? Never experienced it myself but heard people talk about the risk of hydrogen embrittlement with certain solvents.
Sounds to be like one of those "sound theory, but not in real life" ideas but thought I'd chuck it in there
Some of the cheaper sram chains seem to crack like the one in that picture above.
Assuming it’s 11 speed then I’d get an X1 level chain to replace it. Not wild expensive but resists corrosion better than the cheaper ones and we’re always solid for me when I was running 11 speed.
On 12 speed I run XX1 on the big bike and KMC X12 ti-ni in the hardtail. Had no issuers with any corrosion or snapping on either bike. Plus bling.
Yes. Hydrogen embrittlement perhaps, the result of some degreasers.
Is this another plus point in favour immersive waxing and a simple boiling water rinse (once the new chain has been thoroughly cleaned of it’s OEM grease)
See ZFC on YouTube.
Chain in the pic is also showing signs of rust in places too.
At 0.75mm stretch isn't the chain a bit old and knackered? I note you say this has only been breaking "recently"... Has it been OK up until recently.
And what's all this "Out of sync" malarkey?
also; don't use combo of ultrasonic baths and sodium hydroxide based cleaners. (lemons based for instance)
I use Muc Off degreaser, but diluted.
The 'out of sync' thing is - is it getting on the wrong chainring teeth on a n/w ring when there is enough wear for it to just mate with the wrong teeth. The answer is no in my case.
I think it is just a duff chain from SRAM. It has happened to me once or twice before with this particular model of chain. Lesson learned - never had problems with KMC, so back to them. It is just that CRC had these SRAM jobs at a good price.
🤷♂️
Don't blame the chain. It's just old and knackered!
This "syncing with narrow/wide " is a new one on me! Are you sure it's not just bollox?