Dumb chain question?

Nick Drew:

Quoted message said:

Now call me Mr Stupid, but what happens if the chain breaks at a different
link and you don't have a spare joining pin?

If you carry a chain tool with you as part of your on-the-road emergency kit
(I carry a multi-tool that includes a chain tool), you can remove the broken
link and re-join the chain minus one link whenever and wherever this may
happen. Unless your chain is already extremely short, one or two fewer links
shouldn't cause a problem.

d.

Nick Drew said:

Despite having had my Kona hardtail for 3 years now, I've only just
noticed that the chain is one of those with a special pin for when
you need to break or repair the chain.

Now call me Mr Stupid, but what happens if the chain breaks at a
different link and you don't have a spare joining pin?

I suggest carrying a chain tool and a SRAM Powerlink (which will work on
$himaNO chain).

Have a butcher's at:
url:http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchnRe.shtml

~PB

Quoted message said:

Nick Drew:

Quoted message said:

Now call me Mr Stupid, but what happens if the chain breaks at a

different

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

link and you don't have a spare joining pin?

If you carry a chain tool with you as part of your on-the-road emergency

kit

Quoted message said:

(I carry a multi-tool that includes a chain tool), you can remove the

broken

Quoted message said:

link and re-join the chain minus one link whenever and wherever this may
happen. Unless your chain is already extremely short, one or two fewer

links

Quoted message said:

shouldn't cause a problem.

I appreciate a chain tool is a necessity, and not being a complete newbie I
tend to carry one, but removing a pin that isn't the joining pin is pretty
much impossible, it seems. Hence the question

Cheers
Nick

Nick Drew said:

I appreciate a chain tool is a necessity, and not being a complete
newbie I tend to carry one, but removing a pin that isn't the joining
pin is pretty much impossible, it seems. Hence the question

Have you (or anyone) actually tried removing it (with a good tool, eg.
Topeak)?

If it's not removable then you could always remove adjacent ones and use a
shorter chain to "get home".

~PB

in message <[email hidden]>, Nick Drew

(') said:

Quoted message said:

Nick Drew:

Quoted message said:

Now call me Mr Stupid, but what happens if the chain breaks at a

different

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

link and you don't have a spare joining pin?

If you carry a chain tool with you as part of your on-the-road
emergency

kit

Quoted message said:

(I carry a multi-tool that includes a chain tool), you can remove the

broken

Quoted message said:

link and re-join the chain minus one link whenever and wherever this
may happen. Unless your chain is already extremely short, one or two
fewer

links

Quoted message said:

shouldn't cause a problem.

I appreciate a chain tool is a necessity, and not being a complete
newbie I tend to carry one, but removing a pin that isn't the joining
pin is pretty much impossible, it seems.

My experience is that it's easy enough to get them *out* with a
perfectly ordinary chain tool, but virtually impossible to get them
back *in*. So carry a magic joining link.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
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------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

Nick Drew said:

Despite having had my Kona hardtail for 3 years now, I've only just noticed
that the chain is one of those with a special pin for when you need to break
or repair the chain.

You haven't removed your chain in 3 years?

That aside, what make is the chain? That, to a large extent, determines the tool/method required.

Ian

Simon Brooke said:

My experience is that it's easy enough to get them *out* with a
perfectly ordinary chain tool, but virtually impossible to get them
back *in*. So carry a magic joining link.

Hi there.

The trick (unless you are using a shimano chain) is not to oush the
pin all the way out. Push the pin until it is almost out, then with a
bit of wiggling (carry rubber gloves) you'll be able to pull the link
apart. The pin is then ready in place to be pushed back when you've
removed the offending links.

See the excellent park tool site for diagrams and instructions.
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchnRe.shtml

Note Shimano chains are a pain in the a**, and you need to carry a
special spare pin around with you. Sram are *much* better choice.

Cheers, Andy

ps Top tip: When you fit a new chain you'll inevitably have a few
links spare. I rejoined these and am using them as a rather natty
keyfob. As I've always got my keys with me, I can use these spare
links in an emergency.

--
o
_o <|\
_ \<_ _\
______ --^o- __ (_)/(_) __ / ________
| |
| andrewgturnbull |
| Stirling Triathlon Club |
| http://www.stirling-tri.demon.co.uk |
|_____________________________________|

"Andrew Turnbull" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Simon Brooke said:

My experience is that it's easy enough to get them *out*

with a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

perfectly ordinary chain tool, but virtually impossible

to get them

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

back *in*. So carry a magic joining link.

Hi there.

The trick (unless you are using a shimano chain) is not to

oush the

Quoted message said:

pin all the way out. Push the pin until it is almost out,

then with a

Quoted message said:

bit of wiggling (carry rubber gloves) you'll be able to

pull the link

Quoted message said:

apart. The pin is then ready in place to be pushed back

when you've

Quoted message said:

removed the offending links.

See the excellent park tool site for diagrams and

instructions.

Quoted message said:

http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQchnRe.shtml

Note Shimano chains are a pain in the a**, and you need to

carry a

Quoted message said:

special spare pin around with you. Sram are *much* better

choice.

Quoted message said:

Cheers, Andy

ps Top tip: When you fit a new chain you'll inevitably

have a few

Quoted message said:

links spare. I rejoined these and am using them as a

rather natty

Quoted message said:

keyfob. As I've always got my keys with me, I can use

these spare

Quoted message said:

links in an emergency.

My tip for "easy" link removal/replacement. It is all too
easy to overdo the "push nearly out" method so give this
method a try.......
Select a link, fit link removing tool and turn handle 3
turns only, then move to the other pin on that side plate
and do same number of turns. The side plate should then be
free (give a half turn on each pin if it not). Slide link
out and re-insert into extractor and push both pins back the
3 turns (or whatever) to their starting point.
On re-assembly this link can be used to join both end of
the chain for any low power tests you want to do. When
happy, and this is the tricky bit, push the loose side plate
on to the two "empty" pins, it should be just possible to
feel when they are aligned correctly, fit into extractor and
do a half turn then check you can do the same for the other
pin. If not ok use the "tight link" position to release
the plate & try aligning it again. When this is OK tighten
the tool so pins are correctly through plate
One thing I like about my method is that the chain can
be hung on the chainwheel and the loose link fitted there so
not only do you avoid pushing the pin too far in
dis-assembly but you are not trying to do hold the extractor
tool and two ends of the chain in position all at the same
time.
IanB