Chain Tools

[Ansome]

Hi,
I have been through a few chain tools recently, one broke while trying a get me home repair and another two in workshop situations over the last two weeks, different chains and bikes so the only constant is me! Now either I have suddenly started getting something wrong after thirty odd years or the chain tools haven't been up to it (to be fair the one on my recently deceased two-section Topeak 16 of ten year vintage has always been a good servant, it tightened using one of the allen keys on the other half of the tool and was the only one I needed, road or workshop, for years)

Before I spring some more money on another tool I thought I'd ask the CC mechanics crew which tools are popular and last and what, like my recent cheaper 'it'll do' (they didn't) purchases, breaks on seeing a chain within two paces. Bear in mind that I am the family 'you know a bit about bikes don't you?' so it has to cope with various speeds/widths etc.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Acyclo]

I've had several over the years and the best is the Park Tool item. Not the big pro. tool the small carry on unit. Look, here's one now: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PARK-TOOL...sure_Cycling_BikeLocks_SR&hash=item3ce3b1b560

 

[Roadrider48]

+1 for Park tools. I've had a couple of others in the past and it seems they are made of very soft metal, and not really up to the job.

 

[Ansome]

Thank you, yes, I was thinking I might invest in the Park 3.2 beast for workshop use and was hoping there would be a lighter saddlebag option as well, I had looked at this one but was wondering if anyone had any experience of the current multitool options with a good chain tool on it as well or is it the Holy Grail? One of mine that broke was on a Birzman multitool, it did one rivet and then gave up by bending a jaw on the second one, getting any torque on it was awkward too. I liked the Topeak because it was easier to get the twisting force needed by using the allen key.

 

[Tim Hall]

Another vote for the Park Tools lightweight jobby. I've had one for ages and still not managed to bust it. My fleet goes upto 9 speed, but I think I used it on a 10 speed on a Friday Night Ride once. And you can get replacement tips for it too. A good bit of kit. Compare and contrast with my spesh multitool which broke on it's first outing.

 

[Scoosh]

I needed a light-weight chain tool a while ago and got the Pedros 6-pack Chain Tool. It's small and lightweight, has spoke keys, an Allen key and flat-head screwdrived and has been use on a couple of occasions with ease and success. Light and small enough to go in the saddle-bag, it is also my chain-tool of choice in the 'workshop'.

Despite some negative comments from Anonymouses, I've had no complaints.

 

[ColinJ]

I have been using the chain tool on a Crank Brothers multitool for years. The multitool is chunky but bombproof.

 

[Skyfoil]

I've tried a few but the Park Tools one is solid. It's bigger, bulkier and heavier than many i've tried, so I wouldn't carry it in my saddle bag, but for the workshop it is a must have!

 

[Custom24]

Another vote for the Park Tools lightweight jobby. I've had one for ages and still not managed to bust it. My fleet goes upto 9 speed, but I think I used it on a 10 speed on a Friday Night Ride once. And you can get replacement tips for it too. A good bit of kit. Compare and contrast with my spesh multitool which broke on it's first outing.

Yes it works on 10 speed, at least on tiagra

 

[PeteXXX]

I have been using the chain tool on a Crank Brothers multitool for years. The multitool is chunky but bombproof.

+1 for the Crank Brothers, I'm thinking of getting another one so I don't have to keep swapping it form bike to bike!

 

[Ansome]

I've had a look at all your choices, thanks for the replies. I've ordered a Park 3.2, reckon that might be part of my estate in a few years...

Still umming and ahhhing over a take-out option, having used and broken the Birzman (luckily only on a bike that was in my garage at the time, so I could curse at it and then go in for a cuppa) I'm not keen on it's replacement being the same 'twist the whole tool' method of driving it so I think probably the Pedros will do me as it's designed to be a chain tool first. Or the lighter Park...or..arghhhh!

 

[Kestevan]

I've got one of these.....
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-mini-20-pro-20-function-multi-tool/

The chaintool has been used both at home and on-ride for last couple of years with no problems.

 

[Ansome]

I looked at everything I could and in the end went for this:http://www.merlincycles.com/topeak-super-chain-tool-44741.html

So I asked everyone's opinions then made my own choice of a completely different one that hadn't been mentioned. Nice work Ansome.

 

[Scoosh]

Looks good, that does.

 

[02GF74]

I've broken a numbner of he cheap ones - they lugs break, the pin drops out od the threads get damged so spllashed out on the Shimano chain tool - better by miles.

cheap one, works reasonably well but won't last long so avoid.