Missing links (from chain)

yoBob said:

I have a 9X3 Shimano 105 bike. I replaced a link from my chain with one
of those no-tool links for ease of removal. Cleaned the chain last
night. While re-installing, I lost a spacer from the last regular link
in the chain. I had to remove it (and it's mate) to get the chain to
snap closed. Now I have a chain that's 2 links shorter than it was
originally. Should I worry about this? I figure I would only need the
extra length in the big ring-big cog combination which I NEVER use.

you never do intentionally, but by mistake. it can lead to all kinds of
embarrassment, including bent axles.

Quoted message said:

Also, can you buy chain parts, i.e the spacer? A couple of extra links
to put back in?

bike shops throw out unused linkage by the yard. best to replace the
whole thing though.

Missing links (from chain)With the back-wheel in the air, slowly turn the peddles and move the gears into that worst-case combination.

Then check how much movement you have left on the arm that carries the jockey wheels (taking account of suspension movement if applicable), As long as you have a reasonable amount of movement left (say half-inch or more) you should be OK.

"yoBob" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:000b01c6c702$9475d4d0$6500a8c0@VALUEDCB7D4C82...
I have a 9X3 Shimano 105 bike. I replaced a link from my chain with one of those no-tool links for ease of removal. Cleaned the chain last night. While re-installing, I lost a spacer from the last regular link in the chain. I had to remove it (and it's mate) to get the chain to snap closed. Now I have a chain that's 2 links shorter than it was originally. Should I worry about this? I figure I would only need the extra length in the big ring-big cog combination which I NEVER use.

Also, can you buy chain parts, i.e the spacer? A couple of extra links to put back in?