The Bucket O' Nothing

Friday: bike status as usual (occasionally the chain comes off and jams in fifth gear). Borrowed multi-tool from one of the sysadmins at work, who had helped me un-jam the chain earlier that week.

Saturday: set about adjusting chain in the evening. Bent one of the links, but that wasn't a problem as I took two links out. Got it back together somehow. Chain clacked alarmingly when pedals were turned. Made note to look at it again.

Sunday: left the bike alone.

Monday: realised that the clacking noise was from the chain passing under rather than over something near the pedals. Attempted to adjust chain again, this time working with the silver links (one of which has an empty bar rather than just two holes, for ease of adjustment). Swore a lot as the gears and pedals kept freewheeling. Managed to get chain partly back together, but with one of the silver links misaligned. Figured it'd be okay.

It wasn't. The silver link with two holes is now bent.

At this point, I have a perfectly serviceable chain (really, it's actually properly greased and oiled) that needs doing up again with some extra links, a bike that has no chain attached, and a whole lot of frustration. Also I need to clean the multi-tool I was using.

My plan for Tuesday is to throw money at this problem rather than more time, and take it to Station Cycles in the morning. I think I need to read up more on bike maintenance before I try this again myself.