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A spare string weighs a lot less than a chain. They provide a spare string in the seat pole apparently. Edit: there's also two strings, one on each side. So if

A spare string weighs a lot less than a chain. They provide a spare string in the seat pole apparently. Edit: there's also two strings, one on each side. So if one snaps, I think you can ride home with the other

kazinator 4y ago
Right; I've never met anyone who carries an entire spare chain. It would not even slightly make sense. If you put a new chain on old sprockets, it will likely skip, particularly on the rear cassette. This will go double if you're someone who allowed the chain to wear for so long that it just broke. That chain will only work with the sprockets that it is on and vice versa. If you damaged a newer chain due to some freak accident (like cross chaining while shifting under load or something: shouldn't happen on a quality, well adjusted drive train) you probably don't want to replace it; aside from the bent/broken link, it is good. Splice the damaged link out and get moving. Swapping in a new chain could be extra work. It likely has excess links which you have to remove and set aside, and may have stuck links that have to be identified and massaged into releasing.
tetraodonpuffer 4y ago
I just have a couple powerlinks in my bag when riding, which take very little space. It is also unlikely to have a chain break while riding, however having a chain breaker tool and spare links comes in handy if your rear derailleur gives up the ghost (due to a fall etc), as in that case you can bypass it entirely with a shortened chain.
- FridgeSeal 4y ago
  Mountain biker chiming in: have broken chains, friends have broken chains. It’s not a common occurrence, but basically ever has a chain breaker and spare links in their bags. MTB also admittedly puts a lot of components under far more wear and tear than other disciplines. For MTB especially, it’s not the fact that there’s probably better drivetrain options, but the fact that the current options will happily take a beating, and still let you ride back out. I’m sure the string is real nice and quiet, and has a nice internal hub, but my chain, mech and cassette will get whipped into trees and rocks, will have sand, water, grit ground through it for ~20kms, sustain impacts from going off drops and jumps and they’ll continue to work. I’ve bent mechs, hangers, dinged cassettes, ground chainrings, and they’ll put up with an astounding amount and still get you home. Once home the ease of access make maintenance a lot simpler, everything gets a clean and lube and it’s happy to go again.
wiredfool 4y ago
I bring a breaker tool and a spare magic link. Never needed the link, but it’s small. The breaker tool has saved a couple of riding partners.
- aliqot 4y ago
  It's always the clip on the magic link. You ever notice that? I've never broken the link itself, always the clip.

kazinator 4y ago

Right; I've never met anyone who carries an entire spare chain. It would not even slightly make sense. If you put a new chain on old sprockets, it will likely skip, particularly on the rear cassette. This will go double if you're someone who allowed the chain to wear for so long that it just broke. That chain will only work with the sprockets that it is on and vice versa. If you damaged a newer chain due to some freak accident (like cross chaining while shifting under load or something: shouldn't happen on a quality, well adjusted drive train) you probably don't want to replace it; aside from the bent/broken link, it is good. Splice the damaged link out and get moving. Swapping in a new chain could be extra work. It likely has excess links which you have to remove and set aside, and may have stuck links that have to be identified and massaged into releasing.

tetraodonpuffer 4y ago

I just have a couple powerlinks in my bag when riding, which take very little space. It is also unlikely to have a chain break while riding, however having a chain breaker tool and spare links comes in handy if your rear derailleur gives up the ghost (due to a fall etc), as in that case you can bypass it entirely with a shortened chain.

FridgeSeal 4y ago
Mountain biker chiming in: have broken chains, friends have broken chains. It’s not a common occurrence, but basically ever has a chain breaker and spare links in their bags. MTB also admittedly puts a lot of components under far more wear and tear than other disciplines. For MTB especially, it’s not the fact that there’s probably better drivetrain options, but the fact that the current options will happily take a beating, and still let you ride back out. I’m sure the string is real nice and quiet, and has a nice internal hub, but my chain, mech and cassette will get whipped into trees and rocks, will have sand, water, grit ground through it for ~20kms, sustain impacts from going off drops and jumps and they’ll continue to work. I’ve bent mechs, hangers, dinged cassettes, ground chainrings, and they’ll put up with an astounding amount and still get you home. Once home the ease of access make maintenance a lot simpler, everything gets a clean and lube and it’s happy to go again.

wiredfool 4y ago

I bring a breaker tool and a spare magic link. Never needed the link, but it’s small. The breaker tool has saved a couple of riding partners.

aliqot 4y ago
It's always the clip on the magic link. You ever notice that? I've never broken the link itself, always the clip.