!@#!$%!^ Bicycle Chain!

[axelfox]

Tried to install a new chain on my bike today, and I was trying to be extra careful not to push the pin all the way through.

Of course, I pushed it all the way through. But no, that wasn't enough. I tried to put in back in with a hammer and the pin went flying to who knows where.

Does anyone know (Brut, I'm talking to you 😀) if mechanics usually have extra pins around to install lost ones?

 

[Dessert Tears]

A hammer? Do you have a chain pin tool? I can't think of any way you could install a pin without one. You may have damaged the holes in the link so that the chain will fail under load ...

I asked at a bike shop a few months ago, and they didn't have any in stock, but they offered to order some. An alternative is special links that snap together (some are permanent, some are removable) that require no tools and would replace the link you may have damaged (removing the old link would require a chain tool).

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

As Flatscan has suggested, what you need is a master link. There's no way to replace just a pin and have the chain be structurally reliable - at a minimum you need to replace one full link, and IMO it isn't wise to have a chain broken in more than one place. What you need is one of these or something similar.

 

[Brutuskend]

Shimano chains come with extra pins that are sort of tapered so you can start them back in. Your local shop should have one kicking around.

 

[Dirigible]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Shimano chains come with extra pins that are sort of tapered so you can start them back in. Your local shop should have one kicking around.

Seeing as Brutuskend is a bicycle professional, I'd listen to him.

You can also get something like this: SRAM Powerlink. It's that thing Flatscan referred to that allows you to join a chain without tools. I like 'em. Makes it easy to take the chain on and off for cleaning. (Edit: DonVito linked to the Powerlink as well.)

 

[Armitage]

Originally posted by: Dirigible

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Shimano chains come with extra pins that are sort of tapered so you can start them back in. Your local shop should have one kicking around.

Seeing as Brutuskend is a bicycle professional, I'd listen to him.

You can also get something like this: SRAM Powerlink. It's that thing Flatscan referred to that allows you to join a chain without tools. I like 'em. Makes it easy to take the chain on and off for cleaning. (Edit: DonVito linked to the Powerlink as well.)

They're a good thing to have in your seatbag as well. A broken chain can ruin your whole day.

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: Dirigible

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Shimano chains come with extra pins that are sort of tapered so you can start them back in. Your local shop should have one kicking around.

Seeing as Brutuskend is a bicycle professional, I'd listen to him.

You can also get something like this: SRAM Powerlink. It's that thing Flatscan referred to that allows you to join a chain without tools. I like 'em. Makes it easy to take the chain on and off for cleaning. (Edit: DonVito linked to the Powerlink as well.)

Yeah, you can use a master link but I don't care for them. Also, you will have to punch out another pin in order to use a master link. The Shamino pin I mentioned above is flared on the ends so it WILL fit tight in the holes that the old pin came out of. With Shimano chains you MUST use one of these pins if you ever break your chain or the chain will not hold. Keep in mind that depending on how many gears your bike has the chain will be narrower (more gears=narrower chain) so make sure you get a pin that will work with the chain you have.

Shamino chain pins are twice as long as a normal pin. The first part acts as a guide and you push that part through your chain and it holds the chain together so you can keep things lined up. Then you push the pin through and break off the guide on the back side of the chain.
PIC

 

[oboeguy]

Mmmm, Powerlink. Those things are great. Brutuskend, what is there not to like?

 

[Brutuskend]

Originally posted by: oboeguy
Mmmm, Powerlink. Those things are great. Brutuskend, what is there not to like?

IN my opinion a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link and in most cases that link would be the MASTER link. In the shop, I never use them. But then I also have a GOOD chain breaker. 🙂

 

[oboeguy]

I'll let you know if I ever break a Powerlink chain with my soul-crushing thighs. 😀