Chain breaker

[Jason.T]

I'm slowly getting all the essentials I need for roadside repairs in case there ever needed especially as I have my first 100+ sportive in 2 weeks

One thing I'm unsure about is my chain, I have a KMC missing link chain so no need for a chain tool to take it off (had it off last week)

If my chain ever broke while out riding would I be able to replace the broken link? Would a chain tool remove the pin on a KMC missing link chain or do they only work on non missing link chains?

Sorry if this sounds a dumb question but I really don't know

 

[Brommyboy]

Although I have had a chain break through a failed link, most chain breakages occur through bad use: if you cross the chain too far in a gear change and then put on a real pressure load, it can easily break. In that case you will need the chain breaking tool and some spare links! I just make sure I change gear carefully and have never broken a chain through miss-use.

 

[John the Canuck]

..............
One thing I'm unsure about is my chain, I have a KMC missing link chain so no need for a chain tool to take it off ......

If my chain ever broke while out riding would I be able to replace the broken link?
why do you assume the 'link' would fail - are they intrinsically weaker..?

Would a chain tool remove the pin on a KMC missing link chain or do they only work on non missing link chains?
-dunno------ I carry 3 'missing links' a chain tool and 4 links of spare chain . maybe overkill .?
...........

john

 

[SquareDaff]

If my chain ever broke while out riding would I be able to replace the broken link? Would a chain tool remove the pin on a KMC missing link chain or do they only work on non missing link chains?

Sorry if this sounds a dumb question but I really don't know

No question is dumb. It's dumb to not ask the question and get stranded in the middle of nowhere through lack of knowledge.

I've had one chain failure.Fortunately I had a splitter on me to remove the pins and then replaced the failed link with the quick links you already have. Takes about 2 mins to get back on the road. Not sure if I could have removed the link without a splitter. Just make sure you have the right size. A lot of the current splitters are 8-10 speed compatible but not with the new 11 speed.

 

[ColinJ]

I have fixed broken chains for other riders on 4 or 5 occasions over the years.

If it is an outer link that has broken, just remove that and replace with a spare quicklink.

If an inner link has broken, remove that and the outer links either side of the break and repair with a quicklink. The chain ends up a pair of links shorter, but that is ok as long as you avoid using your biggest ring-biggest sprocket combination, which you should do anyway because it is bad for the chain. You should replace the chain or put another couple of links in when you get home.

A tool should remove pins from all chains (PS yes, 8-10 speed. I have never touched an 11 speed chain, so I do not know about them!), but the pins in some chains are not supposed to be put back in once removed.

Quicklinks or missinglinks are as reliable as other links if assembled correctly. I don't have scientific evidence for that, but I have put my chains under great pressure and never broken a quicklink. None of the chains I repaired for other riders had failed at the quicklinks.

 

[Jason.T]

Cheers guys, I'm looking at getting the topeak hexusii multi tool

Anyone know if the chain breaker from that will fit my KMC 10 speed chain?

I know a dedicated chain breaker would be better but would prefer to get one on a multi tool as it's for emergencys only so less tools to carry

 

[SquareDaff]

Cheers guys, I'm looking at getting the topeak hexusii multi tool

Anyone know if the chain breaker from that will fit my KMC 10 speed chain?

Oddly enough that's the exact same tool I carry and yes, the chain breaker will work on a KMC 10 speed. One very IMPORTANT tip though - make sure you carry a spare allen key that fits the breaker tool. Think it's a 5mm but check. Bit of a design flaw in the tool in that you can't get enough leverage on the chain breaking tool as is, and the allen keys on the tool itself don't detach!!!!

 

[Mo1959]

Oddly enough that's the exact same tool I carry and yes, the chain breaker will work on a KMC 10 speed. One very IMPORTANT tip though - make sure you carry a spare allen key that fits the breaker tool. Think it's a 5mm but check. Bit of a design flaw in the tool in that you can't get enough leverage on the chain breaking tool as is, and the allen keys on the tool itself don't detach!!!!

Oooo, I didn't know that. I am sure that is the multitool I recently bought thinking it would cover everything!
Just checked mine again. It comes apart into two sections and the chain tool and allen keys are on different sections so should be ok should it not?

 

[Jason.T]

Oddly enough that's the exact same tool I carry and yes, the chain breaker will work on a KMC 10 speed. One very IMPORTANT tip though - make sure you carry a spare allen key that fits the breaker tool. Think it's a 5mm but check. Bit of a design flaw in the tool in that you can't get enough leverage on the chain breaking tool as is, and the allen keys on the tool itself don't detach!!!!

Excellent, other than having to carry a Allen key for the chain break do you think it's a good tool?

 

[ColinJ]

Oddly enough that's the exact same tool I carry and yes, the chain breaker will work on a KMC 10 speed. One very IMPORTANT tip though - make sure you carry a spare allen key that fits the breaker tool. Think it's a 5mm but check. Bit of a design flaw in the tool in that you can't get enough leverage on the chain breaking tool as is, and the allen keys on the tool itself don't detach!!!!

That is a silly design mistake!

My chaintool is on my Crank Bros multitool and it works ok. It is not quite as easy to use as a dedicated tool, but it does the job.

 

[HLaB]

Cheers guys, I'm looking at getting the topeak hexusii multi tool

Anyone know if the chain breaker from that will fit my KMC 10 speed chain?

I know a dedicated chain breaker would be better but would prefer to get one on a multi tool as it's for emergencys only so less tools to carry

Yes it'll fit, I use a Hexus II and although though touch wood my 10spd KMC chains have never broke on a ride, I have shortened them with the tool whilst fitting.

 

[HLaB]

Oddly enough that's the exact same tool I carry and yes, the chain breaker will work on a KMC 10 speed. One very IMPORTANT tip though - make sure you carry a spare allen key that fits the breaker tool. Think it's a 5mm but check. Bit of a design flaw in the tool in that you can't get enough leverage on the chain breaking tool as is, and the allen keys on the tool itself don't detach!!!!

Excellent, other than having to carry a Allen key for the chain break do you think it's a good tool?

You don't need a separate allen key the sides come off as tyre levers and one of them has a short allen key that fits the tool perfectly and your hand, not a design flaw at all

 

[Jason.T]

You don't need a separate allen key the sides come off as tyre levers and one of them has a short allen key that fits the tool perfectly and your hand, not a design flaw at all

I did see that the sides come off with an Allen key attached, I think @SquareDaff was saying that it doesn't work that well using the build in Allen key on the side

 

[HLaB]

I did see that the sides come off with an Allen key attached, I think @SquareDaff was saying that it doesn't work that well using the build in Allen key on the side

I dont know if they knew it was there, it works perfectly with it and lets you be very controled when removing or inserting pins.

 

[SquareDaff]

I did see that the sides come off with an Allen key attached, I think @SquareDaff was saying that it doesn't work that well using the build in Allen key on the side

Thanks for the vote of confidence but alas, in this case, I was just being dumb and had failed to notice this!