Shimano Chains and Joining pins

Steve C said:

Luckily I've never suffered a broken chain. I do own a chain tool and
a handful of 'special' Shimano joining pins, but have never actually
split a Shimano chain, only SRAM(?) ones which use a standard joining
pin all the way through.

I can't answer your question directly, but my steed came with a shimano 9
speed hg chain. Not understanding the jointing pin thing, I split it using a
standard tool on an ordinary link, rejoining it with the same pin. Ever
after, about every 350 miles, the link I split the chain at would reopen.
Then I learned about SRAM powerlinks and SRAM chain, which seems better than
the shimano [censored] anyway...

Tim
--
Seasons greetings from Brum, UK www.nervouscyclist.org
'I wish you a hopeful Christmas, I wish you a brave New Year, all
anguish pain and sadness, leave your heart and let your
road be clear' Greg Lake - 'I Believe In Father Christmas'

Steve C said:

Luckily I've never suffered a broken chain. I do own a chain tool and
a handful of 'special' Shimano joining pins, but have never actually
split a Shimano chain, only SRAM(?) ones which use a standard joining
pin all the way through.

If I were to have the misfortune to break a Shimano chain while
riding, can I fix any link with the joining pin or can they only be
used as a replacement for the original 'special' pin? I don't have a
spare chain to play about with and I'd rather not learn this the hard
way.

No, you are supposed to replace only an ordinary pin with a special pin.
See http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=25

You could also just join the chain in the traditional way (by driving in a
partially driven out pin), though there is a possibility of damage.

For 8 and 9-speed chains, what I suggest for speed and safety is to carry
SRAM Powerlinks. These actually work with Shimano and Campagnolo chain as
well as SRAM, and don't need any tools. You still need a tool to remove
damaged links - but that's dead easy.

For 10-speed, there are Wipperman Connex, KMC links, and various others.

~PB

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message

Quoted message said:

For 8 and 9-speed chains, what I suggest for speed and safety is to carry
SRAM Powerlinks. These actually work with Shimano and Campagnolo chain as
well as SRAM, and don't need any tools. You still need a tool to remove
damaged links - but that's dead easy.

Seconded.

Spare SRAM link is a quid or so, and tiny enough to carry in your spares kit
(I wrap mine in a bit of insulating tape - they have a habit of falling out
of bags).

cheers,
clive

Clive George said:

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message

I have used the original linking pin in a Shimano chain once, and a
Shimano special replacement pin about once. Both were a lot of hassle.
Now if I replace a Shimano chain, I remove the original linking pin, and
half a link, and use a SRAM Powerlink to join the chain.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For 8 and 9-speed chains, what I suggest for speed and safety is to
carry SRAM Powerlinks. These actually work with Shimano and
Campagnolo chain as well as SRAM, and don't need any tools. You still
need a tool to remove damaged links - but that's dead easy.

Seconded.

Spare SRAM link is a quid or so, and tiny enough to carry in your spares
kit (I wrap mine in a bit of insulating tape - they have a habit of
falling out of bags).

Once an old shimano chain is worn out, I remove the SRAM link, cable tie
the two halves together, and keep one or two with my bike. I have to
say that I have never snapped a chain, but have had cause to remove the
chain a least twice whilst out.

The special replacement Shimano pins are a pain. Once you have fiddled
with them to get them in the correct place, you then have to snap off
the end, which needs extra tools. (Not a good idea when out).

Martin.

Pete Biggs said the following on 08/01/2008 23:29:

Quoted message said:

For 8 and 9-speed chains, what I suggest for speed and safety is to carry
SRAM Powerlinks. These actually work with Shimano and Campagnolo chain as
well as SRAM, and don't need any tools.

Thirded. All this special link nonsense with Shimano seems too much
like hard work if you needed to fix a chain in the pouring rain
somewhere. Nope, just use a SRAM chain that uses bog-standard links and
a Powerlink.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

Steve C said:

Luckily I've never suffered a broken chain. I do own a chain tool and
a handful of 'special' Shimano joining pins, but have never actually
split a Shimano chain, only SRAM(?) ones which use a standard joining
pin all the way through.

If I were to have the misfortune to break a Shimano chain while
riding, can I fix any link with the joining pin or can they only be
used as a replacement for the original 'special' pin? I don't have a
spare chain to play about with and I'd rather not learn this the hard
way.

Whenever you break a Shimano chain (whether accidently or on purpose)
you're supposed to push the old pin all the way out and replace it
with the "special" black pin. This works really well if the chain
seperates while out riding, assuming you have a chain tool with you.
Of course you also need a pair of pliers to snap off the pin's
vestigial appendage, else there will be difficulty at the derailleur
cage.

BTW, when the Hyperglide chain with black replacement pin was first
introduced I said, "what [censored]" and proceeded to push the old pins
back in whenever I broke the chain, which as a hot waxer I did fairly
often. I rode with that original chain for over 18,000 miles when
suddenly one of the links let go. I thought, "perhaps Shimano was
right!"

--
jeverett3<AT>sbcglobal<DOT>net (John V. Everett)

John Everett said:

Steve C said:

Luckily I've never suffered a broken chain. I do own a chain tool and
a handful of 'special' Shimano joining pins, but have never actually
split a Shimano chain, only SRAM(?) ones which use a standard joining
pin all the way through.

If I were to have the misfortune to break a Shimano chain while
riding, can I fix any link with the joining pin or can they only be
used as a replacement for the original 'special' pin? I don't have a
spare chain to play about with and I'd rather not learn this the hard
way.

Whenever you break a Shimano chain (whether accidently or on purpose)
you're supposed to push the old pin all the way out and replace it
with the "special" black pin.

BTW, when the Hyperglide chain with black replacement pin was first
introduced I said, "what [censored]" ... "perhaps Shimano was
right!"

They are correct but completely wrong! I had a Shimano chain come with
my Birdy and knew nothing about special likss or pins, just pushed a
pin almost out to break it and rejoined with the same pin as per the
old Sedis that were the norm back in the day. I'm now on my second
SRAM replacement and the other bike has a SRAM too but it doesn't seem
to get much use these days.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

"Tim Dunne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve C said:

Luckily I've never suffered a broken chain. I do own a chain tool and
a handful of 'special' Shimano joining pins, but have never actually
split a Shimano chain, only SRAM(?) ones which use a standard joining
pin all the way through.

Funnily enough I had this explained to me on Sat afternoon whilst in the
LBS. Apparantly the Shimano pins have a slight "head" which means that when
you drive them out they make the hole larger so you are supposed to replace
them with the special pins. I've only done this a couple of times but didn't
find snapping the extra bit of pin off a problem using a hole in the chain
tool. I'm now using Wipperman ConneX which is easily taken on and off by
hand, although I did discover that the Wipperman links aren't symmetrical.
There's a right way and a wrong way, if you have it on the wrong way the
chain will skip on the smallest 11-12 tooth cogs.

Cheers
Jim J

Jim said:

"Tim Dunne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Steve C said:

Luckily I've never suffered a broken chain. I do own a chain tool and
a handful of 'special' Shimano joining pins, but have never actually
split a Shimano chain, only SRAM(?) ones which use a standard joining
pin all the way through.

Funnily enough I had this explained to me on Sat afternoon whilst in the
LBS. Apparantly the Shimano pins have a slight "head" which means that when
you drive them out they make the hole larger so you are supposed to replace
them with the special pins. I've only done this a couple of times but didn't
find snapping the extra bit of pin off a problem using a hole in the chain
tool.

I used pliers to snap it off the one (or 2) times I have used them, and
found it fiddly. However the thought of having to do this on a dark
wintery night, or when I am late for work does not feel too beckoning.

As a regular MTB rider I never go out without my chain tool and a SRAM
powerlink. It's the dog's dangles for joining (and unjoining - for
cleaning etc) most chains and I think you can get 3 links for a £5.
Money well spent IMO.