chain

[brucers]

I've taken a chain off an old mountain bike (by cutting through the frame!). I have a chain tool. I am under the impression that some chains have a specific link that you can use the tool on. Is this the case or can you just push out any pin (as I can't see any link on the chain that looks different)?
Any tips appreciated as I'm hoping to use it on another bike but am equally happy to risk ruining it to experiment (the chain not the bike!)

 

[BSRU]

As far as I am aware, if it is a standard Shimano chain you can push out any pin but you need to use a special pin to reconnect it.
If it is a quick release chain then one of the links will be different to the rest.

 

[Biker Joe]

Old bike = old chain.
Push out any pin. I've never had a problem replacing a pin using a chain tool but I've never had to do it on a modern chain.

As an aside, in the old days we used to place the chain over the open jaws of a vice and drive the pins in & out with a hammer and drift.
Ah, the good old days eh? Less complicated.

 

[brucers]

Thanks guys. And Joe, I have all those 'old days' tools...so no stopping me if the modern gadget is not up to the job!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

I have a KMC chain on my bike. If I'm removing the chain, I use a chain tool and slide the pin far enough out so I can take the chain in half but not all the way out so that I can get it back together again.

 

[tyred]

Old bike = old chain.
Push out any pin. I've never had a problem replacing a pin using a chain tool but I've never had to do it on a modern chain.

As an aside, in the old days we used to place the chain over the open jaws of a vice and drive the pins in & out with a hammer and drift.
Ah, the good old days eh? Less complicated.

It's funny but I had to resort to that on a 1970s Puch 3 speed as I wanted to lower the gearing and needed to add a link to the chain and the chain wouldn't fit into my Park chain tool. Must have been some sort of old German standard.

 

[Duckehhh]

can anyone recommend a chain breaker tool thats not too expensive. I bought a cheapo one off ebay, and its a pile of crap.

 

[PaulSB]

B&Q hacksaw by the sound of it!!

 

[Biker Joe]

can anyone recommend a chain breaker tool thats not too expensive. I bought a cheapo one off ebay, and its a pile of crap.

I bought mine from chain reaction cycles.Various splitters available. Free post and packing . Speedy del. Good prices.
That's as good a place to start as any. (I have no affiliations with this company just good experiences)

 

[brucers]

You forgot to mention the hammer and vice home splitting kit!!

I bought mine from chain reaction cycles.Various splitters available. Free post and packing . Speedy del. Good prices.
That's as good a place to start as any. (I have no affiliations with this company just good experiences)

 

[Biker Joe]

You forgot to mention the hammer and vice home splitting kit!!

Damn. Are those kits still available?

 

[smokeysmoo]

can anyone recommend a chain breaker tool thats not too expensive. I bought a cheapo one off ebay, and its a pile of crap.

After years of using cheapo chain splitters I finally bought a decent one a couple of years ago, one of THESE

It well made, it works and I have no reason to expect to have to buy another one during my cycling life

 

[brucers]

Only to those of a certain era and experience!! Having earlier admitted to having these 'kits' I must include myself in that group.

Damn. Are those kits still available?

 

[smokeysmoo]

You forgot to mention the hammer and vice home splitting kit!!

PS: no-one seems to have mentioned this, but don't push the pin all the way out, they are a pig and a half to get back in.

The idea is to leave it in the chain plate so you can separate the links and easily push it back in.

Note: for anyone splitting a 10 speed chain, NEVER re-join it by pushing an old pin back in

Either use a missing link or a specific 10 speed joining pin, other wise your chain will split, trust me

 

[fossyant]

Don't use n old chain. New ones are cheap.

Only try and rejoin newer chains with quick links if you can. Push out pin to get right length and rejoin. Recently had a new Dura Ace chain that came with a standard joining pin in one link. Lets say it should have had a special one, and ended up bending the links when I fitted it. Removed and joined with a quick link. This was a bagged Dura Ace chain rather than a boxed one. Last Dura Ace chain I had used the special link. Most other chains I have I just use a quick link. Will stick to that from now on.