How can I fix my bike's chain?

I recently was riding up a steep hill and pedaling hard on a rusty old chain, and it just snapped in the middle. There's no repairing this chain; I'll have to get a new one. My question is whether this is the kind of thing that I can take to a bike shop or if I should just repair it myself? How do you suggest that I approach this problem?

You need to go to a bike shop and buy a the appropriate chain. Chains come in various widths to fit the number of cogs on your cassette. You'll also need a chain tool. I'd recommend either a Shimano or SRAM chain.

Either way, I'd recommend you buy a SRAM Power Link. The Power Link lets you put the chain together easily and without the use of a chain tool. You can also use the Power Link to take the chain apart to clean it in the future. Specific Power Links are made for different width chains, so make sure you buy a Power Link that is compatible with your chain..

If you don't get a Power Link, you'll have to use the chain tool to press a chain rivet into place. Of course, you have to buy a chain tool to "cut" your new chain to the appropriate length, so nothing is lost...

Regarding chain tools, personally, I like the Park Tool Screw Type chain tool, but it is kind of expensive unless you intend to do all of your own wrenching.

http://parktool.com/products/detail.asp?...

You can also get a multi-tool with a chain tool to do the trick. I like the Crank Brother Multi-17. You can easily stick this in your saddle bag to make on-the-road repairs, as well. However, since you can't get as much leverage, it is harder to press rivets out of a chain than with a larger chain tool.

http://www.crankbrothers.com/multi17.php

You'll need to "cut" the new chain to the length of the old chain. Hopefully, you saved the old chain so you can measure the length of chain. If not, you need to go read the Park Tool article on chain length:

http://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp...

Then thread the chain through the derailleurs and put it back together. You might want to read this article:

http://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp...

And you're done!

Or you can take the bike to a shop and have them do all this for you. Installation of a new chain is quick, easy and inexpensive.

Hope this helps.

As a matter of fact there is a special tool kit for handy repairs of the chain...unless you have some spare links this is only temporary solution...I suggest you to have the chain changed at the service and buy the tool kit anyway in case your chain snaps ( it's one of the things one should always take into consideration, like the rupture of the tire )...you should ask the vendor how to use it as it requires some skill...

If you're going to do this yourself you may want to take the old chain in with you so that you can have the folks in the shop measure the length of your old chain providing that several links aren't MIA. This way they can cut the new chain to the proper size. Otherwise have them do the install for you. It will save lots of time and assure a job well done.

If you want just the chain fix at the bike shop tell that before you hand over the bike. If you want to fix your self there are chain that have super links on them that do not tools but they cost a bit more than a normal chain. A chain repair tool costs about 10 bucks they same amount they will charge you fix it at the shop

Buy a new chain from the store and put it on yourself there cheap i got one for my bmx and it was easy to put on and only $20

take your old chain in aswell incase they need to cut it to size which is most likely they will.

Try to goto the bike shop and buy then chain then. While your there ask to change the chain for you. If they charge you then obviously you'll need to do it yourself or fork over the cash. Take your bike with you when you go shopping.

Take your bike to a bike shop. They'll repair it. They can change the chain.If they can't repair it they'll tell you.