Quick links?

[Dadam]

As in, do I need any for emergencies?
Clearly, as and when I replace chains I'll buy the appropriate item to join the chain properly. I can't be bothered with routine taking them off to clean and lube etc.

But in accumulating bikes I seem to have ended up with 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-speed drivetrains! I don't want to buy a set for each and then have remember to swap them round for each bike!

I have a chain breaker in my tool set and one on my multitool I take on rides. Question is, for an emergency on a ride, in a get-me-home situation; is it ok (or even possible) to just push in the pin I took out?

 

[fossyant]

I always carry spares. At a push you could get away with a 8 or 9 speed link to get you home (for 10-11-12). Many of the better chains don't like being re-joined with a pin as they aren't designed to be re-fitted. I've only once used a quick link after I bent a link after a bad shift on my MTB.

I just keep my old quick links from when I change chains

 

[Alex321]

As in, do I need any for emergencies?
Clearly, as and when I replace chains I'll buy the appropriate item to join the chain properly. I can't be bothered with routine taking them off to clean and lube etc.

But in accumulating bikes I seem to have ended up with 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12-speed drivetrains! I don't want to buy a set for each and then have remember to swap them round for each bike!

I have a chain breaker in my tool set and one on my multitool I take on rides. Question is, for an emergency on a ride, in a get-me-home situation; is it ok (or even possible) to just push in the pin I took out?

On anything above 8 speed, you will struggle to get the pin back in if you pushed it right out. DAMHIKT

If yo are careful, and don't quite push it all the way out, you should be able to get it back in on the next appropriate link. Though I have also know that way to create a "stiff" link, if you squeeze the plates too much as you push it back in. But it will get you home.

A quick link is beter, but as you suggest, may be an issue with multiple sizes of chain.

 

[T4tomo]

Its pointless carrying a chain-breaker with you if you haven't got a quicklink (or spare joining pin)

 

[ianrauk]

I've always carried spares, never used them.

 

[PaulSB]

Yes, you need them for emergencies. I carry 10, 11, 12. This way I'm covered no matter which bike I'm riding. I have used an 11, once, when my chain broke. Not only did it repair the chain I was able to carry on with my ride and enjoy the day.

As @T4tomo says it's pointless carrying a chain-breaker if you don't carry spares. They're around £2.50. A good investment.

 

[fossyant]

Many multi-tools have a chain breaker built in.

 

[ColinJ]

I carry 9, 10 and 11 speed in my local tool kit, matching the various bikes that I have here. I only have an 11 speed bike in Devon so I have just 11 speed links there.

[Hmm, I am not 100% sure that I DID leave spare links there - I will take a couple with me next time I go down. ]

 

[Dadam]

Thanks all. I only really carry a chain breaker thus far because it came on the multitool I chose because it had the other tools I wanted.

Seems to be a case of choosing to take the fairly low risk of an albeit ride-ending event vs a few quid on some items which take up practically no space and weigh nothing. It's not really the cost, just the faff of remembering to take the right ones, but I'll put them all the same container so as long as that's in the toolkit it's ok.

I'm thinking for now the 8 speed bike is just for short utility trips and currently the icy commutes, so no real need for one. The longer rides are mainly on the 10 speed bikes so I'll get a couple for those, and for 12 as that's the eMTB so more chance of breakage due to torque and generally more demanding usage. Plus don't want to be stuck pushing that heavy bugger for miles on a remote trail!

The 11 speed bike is just for commuting and the 9 speed bike is the folder which is just used locally atm but if I take it on holiday I'll get a couple.