Broken Cable

The wife and I were out on the tandem last weekend and on the way in, the final 1/4 mile stretch, I broke a cable on my Mirage drive. It is the cable for the leading fin. That sucks. Has anybody else had this happen? Does it seem to be a somewhat common failure?

In the Hobie Accessories and Parts catalog all I can find is part# 81201 - Miragedrive chain assembly. The chain itself is fine as is the cable on the other end of the chain. All I need is the cable, the piece the cable attaches to which connects to the chain, and the other end the cable attaches to that has the threaded stud which connects to the drive. Any less costly way to fix this other than spend $50 for the entire chain assembly?

Thanks.

Wow -- pretty pricey piece of equipment. I can't think of any alternative, except maybe to post a "parts wanted" ad in the sale forum. It's amazing they don't fail more often since they get tensioned and relaxed in a corrosive environment about 3000 - 3600 times per hour while pedaling. Unfortunately with those, there is no good way to know if or when they might separate.

If the drive is in otherwise solid shape, buying the replacement might be your best alternative. Those "03 drives were really built well though and should last a long time. This might be a good time to look everything over carefully and see what else might be marginal, loose or sloppy. For instance, your SS mast cotter pins should probably be replaced (cheap but very important) since they get worn but you can't really inspect them. If your sprocket shaft is loose, maybe see if the bushings look worn.