Re-use chain link?

[DaveReading]

A chain tool is hardly an extra burden in your toolkit. A broken chain is a very rare event, but if it does happen, having a chain tool makes for a simple and quick fix, even if you have not been carrying a spare quick link of the correct speed. No chain tool makes for a long walk in cycle shoes.

Whenever I buy I new chain and need to shorten it, I can almost guarantee that my chain tool will be nowhere to be found.

I end up using the one on my multitool (Crank Bros) - it works perfectly well.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Whenever I buy I new chain and need to shorten it, I can almost guarantee that my chain tool will be nowhere to be found.

I end up using the one on my multitool (Crank Bros) - it works perfectly well.

All tools are designed to hide when needed - especially specialised tools

which is why a hammer is used so often

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have never actually used a chain link - but will have to at some point
Is it feasible to replace on on the road without special tools?
my emergency pack is already getting a bit heavy and an extra tool would just be silly

That's a good question.

If you have a chain tool (and I wouldn't call that "special" you get them built in to many multi tools) you should be able to sort out most chain problems. What's most likely to happen on the road is that an ordinary (non quick) link fails and you fix it with a quick link.

But if the question is "can a quick link be removed without special tools" I've read that there is a technique that involves getting the link to stand out in a v shape from the chainring and hitting it with a rock. Never done it myself.

Aside from one long forgotten incident in my youth (which was my own fault) I've never had a chain problem on the road. I once stopped on an Audax and loaned my chain tool to a rider in need.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

That's a good question.

If you have a chain tool (and I wouldn't call that "special" you get them built in to many multi tools) you should be able to sort out most chain problems. What's most likely to happen on the road is that an ordinary (non quick) link fails and you fix it with a quick link.

But if the question is "can a quick link be removed without special tools" I've read that there is a technique that involves getting the link to stand out in a v shape from the chainring and hitting it with a rock. Never done it myself.

Aside from one long forgotten incident in my youth (which was my own fault) I've never had a chain problem on the road. I once stopped on an Audax and loaned my chain tool to a rider in need.

errr

WOW

not sure I want to try that one out for the first time 10 miles from home

might need some details about how and where to hit - and what shaped rock - which is rather a difficult thing to obtain on a road - and most canal paths
mayeb I should frequent some dodgy places where half bricks are commonly found on the road side??

nah - maybe add an link to the emergenecy pack and hope I can persuade things to get into place

 

[Dogtrousers]

errr

WOW

not sure I want to try that one out for the first time 10 miles from home

might need some details about how and where to hit - and what shaped rock - which is rather a difficult thing to obtain on a road - and most canal paths
mayeb I should frequent some dodgy places where half bricks are commonly found on the road side??

nah - maybe add an link to the emergenecy pack and hope I can persuade things to get into place

See this thread for more.
That may be where I read about it
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/how-do-you-undo-a-kmc-link.70268/page-2

 

[nmfeb70]

I love this forum! You ask a simple question and by the end of the thread you come away fully educated on numerous other topics! Just for the record, my under saddle toolbag consists of a spare tube (most puncture kits are a waste of time), a multi-tool, tyre levers and yes, chain links. (If I'm on a long ride I pop a chain tool in my rucksack.)

 

[DCBassman]

My chain tool is a Park CT-5. It lives with the carried spares, so I always (well, almost always...) know where it is.

 

[DaveReading]

But if the question is "can a quick link be removed without special tools" I've read that there is a technique that involves getting the link to stand out in a v shape from the chainring and hitting it with a rock. Never done it myself.

Yes, I use that technique when removing a chain, albeit a small hammer rather than a rock.

But you need to make sure you tap the end of only one side of the quicklink, since the object is to get it to move relative to the other side.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You press in the middle of the chain link, and then push the chain either side to slide the link out of the narrow end to wide end of the hole. I’ve never had to do that on the road, but I have when I’ve fitted a new recumbent chain and forgotten to feed it through an idler.

I have used a chain tool three times on the road. Once on my mountain bike, once to help out a postie when on my commute, and another time on my road bike when I’d shifted into the spokes and needed a fix to get me home. That’s in a lot of years of regular cycling. You don’t use them very often but they are light and a life saver when you do.

If you maintain your chain well, replace before it wears, don’t crash, don’t shift into your spokes, and don’t cross chain. You might well never need to fix a chain on the road.

 

[Dogtrousers]

A quick search and I find that there is even a thread about the only time I've needed my chain tool on the road. By Fridays member and ex CCer Tim Hall
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/todays-coincidence.202232/

 

[Ajax Bay]

I'm a 'kink the chain up on the large chain ring with the quicklink pointing out' and hit/tap with object, carefully. Never had to do it by the side of a road (but I'm certain I'd be able to). And on the road, my chain tool has been pressed into service only for others (several times).

 

[I like Skol]

Just for the record, my under saddle toolbag consists of a spare tube (most puncture kits are a waste of time), a multi-tool, tyre levers and yes, chain links. (If I'm on a long ride I pop a chain tool in my rucksack.)

@nmfeb70 does your multitool have a basic chain tool built in? If not then the chain quick link you carry is unlikely to be any use to you should the worst actually happen. When a chain breaks you usually need a chain tool to remove the burst/damaged link so you can deploy the replacement connector.
Might be worth adding that chain tool to the kit or getting a multitool that includes one (my Topeak Hexus II does)

 

[nmfeb70]

@nmfeb70 does your multitool have a basic chain tool built in? If not then the chain quick link you carry is unlikely to be any use to you should the worst actually happen. When a chain breaks you usually need a chain tool to remove the burst/damaged link so you can deploy the replacement connector.
Might be worth adding that chain tool to the kit or getting a multitool that includes one (my Topeak Hexus II does)

I haven't fully utilised the multi-tool so I've never noticed! As replacing an old quick link doesn't need any tools I didn't think I would need one. Good point about removing a damaged link - that's something I'd never given a thought to. 👍

 

[Dogtrousers]

I haven't fully utilised the multi-tool so I've never noticed! As replacing an old quick link doesn't need any tools I didn't think I would need one. Good point about removing a damaged link - that's something I'd never given a thought to. 👍

The thing is, the problems you're likely to run into on the road will have nothing to do with the quick link. It's just one of 100-odd links that might fail.

If a non-quick link fails you will need a chain tool to cut the failed bits out and replace them with your spare QL. That's why you need a chain tool.

For removing and installing QLs at home I use QL pliers. If, for some weird reason, I ever need to remove a QL on the road ... then I'll have to try the "hit it with a rock" trick. But I can't see that happening.

 

[davidphilips]

Perhaps fit a new split link if replacing the chain as its worn as well as the chain, Only my view and what i do, have a nice day and safe cycling.