11 (and maybe 10) speed chains

[alecstilleyedye]

tried to break an 11 speed chain shimano with my trusty multitool and just couldn’t split it. bike’s gone to lbs but could it be that the pin on the chain tool is too thick for 11 speed (and maybe the 10 speed on another bike). do i need to upgrade my multitool?

 

[Cycleops]

A lot of those multitools have only a 'fat' pin. You'll need to buy one specifically for 11 speed.

 

[the snail]

I think it's just the construction of the pins which means you need quite a lot of force to push the pin out, maybe the multitool doesn't have enough leverage?

 

[Cycleops]

The pin on my Crank Bros tool will only remove pins from a single speed. The chain tool in my Decathlon tool set has a reversible pin and the finer one will work on up to a 9 speed. Might work on 10/11 speed but I've not tried

 

[alecstilleyedye]

tried both a crank brothers and lezyne tool…

 

[I like Skol]

I have found that as chains have got narrower on the 9, 10 and 11spd gears that the pins have got correspondingly tighter, requiring more force, and eventually yielding with an often alarming crack. It might not be the fault of your chain tool but more a case of unfamiliarity with more recent chains?

 

[Ajax Bay]

A fair few chain tools specify only up to 10sp.
This Topeak (I carry this) tool is called 'Universal' but the description says 'compatible for use with single and multi-speed chains including 10 speed hollow pin chains'.
https://cyclingtips.com/2018/10/the-best-chain-breaker-home-mechanic-15-reviewed/