Fix it yourself, or else

So today for the second time since having my bike repaired at a shop I've broken my master link. Now, broken might not be the correct term, but the chain flopped off and the master isn't there anymore. I don't reuse master links, so this is a bit perplexing, as other bikes where I've reused links before haven't had any issues. It's an older GT I've owned since new, and I've added a tool pouch, lights, and semi-slicks to make it commuter friendly. https://youtu.be/5IgO01eoTzk It's been great. Took it out Saturday for a nice ride. Tuesday I decided to ride it to work, which is just under an hour away by bike. Had a great ride in. What a wonderful way to start the day! Well, about 2.5 miles from home I'm bombing down a hill around 30mph+ when I go to get a few pedal strokes in and ........ NOTHING. I look back and my chain is being dragged from the rear derailleur. My 11spd SRAM link was of no help on this 3x9 setup as I couldn't get the links to clip, so out came my Topeak Alien that's as old as the bike..... because it's a pinned chain of no discernible make. I removed half a link and spliced the chain back together all the while cars passing at much greater speed than the posted 35mph, while leaning my bike against the side of the highway overpass. Not very fun, but satisfying that I was now back underway. The chain binds, most likely where I spliced it back together, and it made riding difficult, but doable. I got home and she's hanging back up in the garage until I get my new chain. No, I'm not messing around with another master link. I'm replacing the chain, and getting the one I want.

The backstory to this, was my bike chain had been slipping up and over my cassette. I took it to the local shop as I didn't have the proper tools at the time to diagnose a work cassette or chain. He showed me the cassette was worn on my larger, more used gears, and my chain was pretty well worn too. I let him keep it and return it to me fixed, as I also didn't have rear cassette tools at the time. I got a great deal and picked out the rear cassette I wanted. I'm assuming that's where we got cheap on the chain. I let him decide that my older bike, which was to be replaced (or at least upgraded) soon didn't need primo parts. It's understandable as that's usually the attitude many people have with older bikes, as this definitely fits the bill as she's a 2001 GT XCR 3000.

I still love and care for her as if she was my only bike. She's getting regular use now as my commuter and since I have bought all the tools I need for servicing a bike (or at least what I've needed so far) I have been doing all the work myself. I even rebuilt the Judy Race fork and SID rear shock myself. Bike repair isn't hard. Sometimes it can be tedious, but we live in an internet age, where YouTube tutorials are a dime a dozen for anything you need. Bike took kits can be had for fifty bucks, or you can buy Park Tools directly from your local shop (which I suggest, because one day you may need that shop).

So maybe I cheated to get a leg up. Last year I was deployed in Kuwait. Soldiers can buy bicycles there and ride them all over post. It's very common. My friends and I used to get together at least once a week and go on a nice big ride, sometimes stopping off at the cinnamon bun place or at Chili's for some tacos. I maintained everybody's bikes. Seth's Bike Hacks provided the tutorials and Amazon supplied the tools. I serviced everything on these big box store quality bikes. Cable adjustments and replacements, bearing service, even rebuilt a wheel with a new rim. So from this fiddling around I perfected my craft. Perfected might not be the right word, as your local bike shop has perfected their craft. I'm merely an amateur that's halfway decent now.

So moral of my story, learn to do repairs yourself, and everything will be fixed/repaired to your satisfaction. Parts will be exactly as you want them.