Shimano Master Pin

[mangid]

So, just installed a new Dura Ace 10spd chain on the road bike, when I installed the master pin the link was initially stiff. I pushed the pin just a smidgen from the other side and it seems fine. A quick run up and down the road and all seems to be shifting fine.

Still, first time I've done this job, normally on the fixed I have a nut and bolt and thread lock to keep things togeather. Have I buggered things up by pushing the pin from the other side, or is it all more robust than it appears and feels?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Imho Shimano chains are the work of the devil / idiot / whatever and can't understand how they manage to sell any but anyway this is the official guide in case you haven't seen one and if a chain link is stiff wriggling it usually helps which hopefully is similar to what you did.

 

[Peteaud]

Imho Shimano chains are the work of the devil / idiot / whatever and can't understand how they manage to sell any but anyway this is the official guide in case you haven't seen one and if a chain link is stiff wriggling it usually helps which hopefully is similar to what you did.

See now i like them.

 

[I like Skol]

Your chain splitter/maker should have 2 sets of claws, 1 set hold the chain while the pin is initially inserted and the other set (the ones closer to the wind in pin) are used to back off the link a touch and give some clearance within the link and prevent the tightness. It only needs a tiny amount so don't back it off too far.

 

[Carbon]

Your chain should be fine, however >
Buy yourself some KMC missing links: http://www.highonbikes.com/kmc-10-missing-link-for-kmc-or-shimano-10-speed-chain.html
Pop the Shimano master pin out, remove half a link to allow for the extra length missing link and re join your chain with the missing link.
You then also have the benefit of easily splitting your chain whenever you need to remove it as the missing link can be opened and closed as often as you like - great for bike cleaning etc.
I've used this link with the latest Dura Ace chain (7901) without issue as have many others.
By the way I didn't get on with the Dura Ace chain, shifting was not as good as I would have expected so I changed to a KMC X10 SL chain and hey presto it's super smooth now! I purchased a Dura Ace chain first as you would expect that chain being specifically designed to complement Dura Ace cassettes / chainsets would be the best, just like Shimano tell you, but it's not, IMHO.......

 

[mangid]

Thanks all,I did only push a smidgen from the other side, so hopefully no damage. I think i was expecing the magic pin to set things up correctly first time. I ordered some KMC missing links last night, just to be on the safe side. I think all is okay, but the chain is such a fragile thing I'm scared to breath on it :-)

I'll bear the KMC x10 in mind for next time.