Have I just messed up my brand new chain?

[Glover Fan]

Err this could be embarrassing and annoying.

Basically my existing 10 speed chain is still reading 12" after 1800 miles, but I have heard that it is good to rotate chains in order to increase the longevity of the cassette and chainrings. So I found myself a bargain 5701 105 chain on CRC the other day for £20. Now i've never fitted a chain before, but I had the instructions with the chain and my trusty Haynes manual to guide me through. I cleaned the chain that I wanted to replace and it turns out it didn't come with a 105 chain as standard even though my bike was advertised as a full 105 groupset it actually has a KMC chain which had the power links, fantastic I thought! Only took me a minute to remove (will definately be buying these in future!!!).

Now I lined the old chain up on the floor and laid the new one next to it so I had the right number of links to install on the bike. Lined up nicely and so like an idiot I jumped in and went to remove the rivet with my Park Tools Chain remover. A lot harder to remove than I thought, but it clicked and it screwed out nicely. Now I may be a bit dense here, but I ended up with two ends exactly the same as like a male to male electrical connection. So I removed a link further which has addressed the problem.

My question is, will 1 link shorter mean I can't use the full range of gears on my bike? Or will some leeway been given when the bike was built?

Also, when removing the second link I somehow managed to slightly bend the outer plate on the chain. I can probably bend it back OKish with some pliers, but will the strength of my chain now be compromised when I put the replacement rivet in?

Thanks in advance.

Jon.

 

[Baggy]

Everyone who's changed a chain has probably managed to remove an odd number of links...

You could always count the links in each chain, just to double-check you've got a different number of links. Sheldon Brown has info on making sure the chain is the correct length, which might help some.

Does the new chain also have a quick link?

The chain might skip anyway after 1800 miles, if I'm rotating them (I go through phases) I tend to do it every 400 miles or so.

 

[e-rider]

your problem is that the kmc had a 'quick link' which joins female to female. Normally, you would join male to female. As a result you have made the chain slightly shorter now. You could rush out and buy several 10 speed shimano connecting pins (which is what I'd do). And then put the missing link back in. As for the link that you bent the plate - this could be a problem! Once you have TWO new connecting pins to hand, remove the bent plate (without bending another) add the required number of links back in and then join the chain. Remember, always use a new conecting pin on Shimano chains and never remove one once it's in - ie. always remove a normal pin.

 

[Glover Fan]

Thanks for the swift replies. Sleep has made the whole situation a whole lot clearer.

I grabbed the un-needed links and have took out a link a few links down and attached an extra links worth from the unneeded links, at the same time getting rid of the bent outer plate. Just means I need to go to the lbs and buy another special connecting link. Could be handy to have a few kicking about anyway.

I'm hoping the chain won't skip as the kmc wasn't showing any wear whatsoever. Definitely going to buy another of those chains, though it is a bit heavier than my new 105 one.

P.S I'm glad I have a park chain tool those 10 speed chains need a lot of force to push the rivets out!

 

[the_mikey]

Once you've done this a few times you'll have an abundance of left over bits of chain, useful for fixing mistakes or breaks.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Thanks for the swift replies. Sleep has made the whole situation a whole lot clearer.

I grabbed the un-needed links and have took out a link a few links down and attached an extra links worth from the unneeded links, at the same time getting rid of the bent outer plate. Just means I need to go to the lbs and buy another special connecting link. Could be handy to have a few kicking about anyway.

I'm hoping the chain won't skip as the kmc wasn't showing any wear whatsoever. Definitely going to buy another of those chains, though it is a bit heavier than my new 105 one.

P.S I'm glad I have a park chain tool those 10 speed chains need a lot of force to push the rivets out!

Congratulations. Solving a problem on your own always feels good

 

[Baggy]

I'm hoping the chain won't skip as the kmc wasn't showing any wear whatsoever. Definitely going to buy another of those chains, though it is a bit heavier than my new 105 one.

Glad you've sorted it out. Hopefully it won't skip - but if it does, at least you've got a shiny new chain for use in the future.

FWIW I really like KMC chains, they seem to last really well and their "missing link" is the only joining link I've ever been able to get undone without tools and swearing!

 

[Glover Fan]

Well interestingly it is branded shimano on the outer plates, but it is definitely a kmc branded missing link. Perhaps kmc supply shimano?

 

[Baggy]

Well interestingly it is branded shimano on the outer plates, but it is definitely a kmc branded missing link. Perhaps kmc supply shimano?

Hmm, my (probably cheap) Shimano 10 speed chain doesn't have a joining link at all. Maybe the shop that built up the bike uses KMC?

 

[Glover Fan]

Good news, bought a few connectors and put the chain together and it works a charm no skipping at all, even when pushing it in mostly used gear!