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Removing / replacing chain
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
So recently I had to change my front derailleur and removed my chain. I have a compact tool kit... Like a stanly knife for the bike... And it has a chain remover.
So removing the chain was fine and I even ended up using the compact toolkit to remove and fit the front new derailleur. When it cam to fitting the chain... NIGHTMARE!
Lining up the pin, getting it seated the using the chain tool to get the pin in took me hours.
It got me thinking if I was on a trail how would I remove a stuffed link and reconnect my chain. What am I missing? It can't be this hard.
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you need a quick link which joins your chain together so you can be on your way again in no time
Powerlink! http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?M...
I think you mean "swiss army knife" but if you do mean stanley knife, I'll have to remember to never let you near my bike...
Hey also, you know your not meant to reuse the pin you pushed out. I'm thinking you might of and that's why it was so hard to put back together. Go the quick links mentioned, I now use the wipperman one. If you want to push a pin in then new pins have a guide bit that you snap off once its pressed in.
Had no idea about the guide pin! No wonder I was swearing for hours
@ Brian... Yep Swiss Army Knife..... Still probably best not to let me near your bike though.
Will be getting a quick link pronto
There's a pic below of what a replacement pin looks like. When you get the quick link though, I'd be trying to remove the pin you fitted because if you were at it for hours you've probably created a weak point which you wont want giving way when your got the power on.
From what I remember, it is Shimano chains that would not accept the pins being removed and re-inserted.
But, as others have said, get a Powerlink. These work on all Shimano and SRAM chains. Wipperman use their own sort.
So if my chain fails either side of the quicklink what to do?
Should I be carrying spare pins with me?
Carry spare quicklink in pack. 1 on the chain, and one in your pack always. You can buy a pack of 4 on ebay sometimes, or even just singles. If you have a 10 speed cassette avoid the sram one, try the wipperman conex instead (i heard). The 10 speed sram one is apparently not easy on-off like on 9 speed. Apparently the connex one will work better for on-off ease (for cleaning etc) for 10 speed. Once you have a powerlink/quicklink you can remove your chain easily for better cleaning.
Carry spare quicklinks. Just a note, if you use the wipperman one there is a right and wrong way to fitting it. You still need to carry the chain tool because if it breaks on the trail you need to push the pin out on the end of the chain that will have the plates so you have the inners bits on both ends for your quicklink to work.
After frigging around for years with SRAM powerlinks I tried the Wipperman (all 9 speed) and it's so much easier to remove without tools. As Brian said, there is a direction to fitting it though
Hey Danny
The trick is to pinch the link along it's width, the two sides slide easily and they pop-off in 2 secs flat!
I struggled for years too but someone suggested this to me recently and was amazed to see it work.
Phil
I think that's what I was doing, maybe I'm just a pussy
I just found it took too much force to squeeze them, particularly with tired/wet hands on the side of the trail
You pinch the sides of the link, not the length of it. I'll show you next time we ride.
I was using the SRAM ones without every having an issue. Then on a previous thread everyone was saying how annoying they were getting off then guess what, friggen couldn't get mine off
I now use the wipperman but carry the sram one as a spare as I had a few in my kit.
I've found the powerlinks can be a bit difficult to get off when the chain is new, but once it's a bit worn they come off much easier.
Never seen one with a chain breaker in it – post a pic.
I can see a whole new raft of birthday presents coming!!!
I've re-used chain pins a few times, the trick is not to push them all the way out. Only push it far enough to get the chain apart, then you can push it back in again. Haven't done it many times, but it's worked so far.
+1 for quick links.
@Charlie B.... It's called a Topeak Mini 18+
Has all the tools you need including alen keys, tire lever, chain breaker, etc.
Can't figure out out how to attach a photo from iPhone but will do tomorrow
http://www.topeak.com/products/Tools/Mini18
Have you tried Googling it, Charlie?
http://youtu.be/sSl8F6ZLLFg
At 01:40 he show's how easy it is to remove the SRAM link.