Replaced the chain on my road bike and it snapped on its third outing today. Is there any point in me taking this up with retailer or will they just say it’s wear and tear/improperly fitted?

IMO it depends how it broke
Seen a few where the outer plate has cracked roun the pin which is easy warranty replacement

If its just split apart then ask them and see what they say

I might have a ride back to where it snapped and try and find the pieces.

When I had a look at the chain, it was missing a pin and one side of the
outer plates. The other side was still hanging on and bent.

Its always worth asking the shop nicely.

If no ask if they’ll do a deal on a new chain.

KMC warrantied mine without too much fuss.

If at joining pin then chances are it was not joined properly.

I had CRC warranty an SRAM PC991 years ago. I was surprised. Outer plate had cracked IIRC.

Shimano warrantied a Dura Ace one I broke first time out.

zangolin – Member
If at joining pin then chances are it was not joined properly.

Nah, Sram PC1071, so joined with a Powerlink. It snapped one or two links away from the Powerlink.

Warranty on a chain???!!

In that case it should be straightforward. Clearly not of reasonable quality, so it should be replaced under statutory consumer rights.

Was it fitted by a qualified bike mechanic?
If not, then I’d be very surprised if they’d warranty replace it.

Surely the legal obligation is to repair the chain!

I guess under SOGA its up to the retailer to prove it wasn’t the fault with the chain – should be tough if it didn’t break where you jponed it.

Warranty on a chain???!!

My thought exactly…

Do it in my exiperence working in shops all brands and have warrantied there chains and I have seen them all do it.

How do think they improve them if they don’t see how they are have failed in the real world.

Especially considering it was not at the main link.

aP – Member

Was it fitted by a qualified bike mechanic?
If not, then I’d be very surprised if they’d warranty replace it.

Even though it’s completely irrelevant? They might try to use it as a rat-out clause but that’s all it would be.

Warranty on a chain???!!

My thought exactly…

In this country we have a law that requires goods sold to be of reasonable quality. A chain that breaks on its third outing (other than at the joining pin, or as a result of being cut too short) is clearly not of reasonable quality, and you have a right to have it repaired or replaced.

Manufacturing defects in chains are not uncommon. Why on earth would you not insist that the retailer provide you with a non-defective chain in return for your hard earned cash? Just because a chain is a wear-and-tear item, it doesn’t mean that a retailer is free to provide you with a defective item.