Let's Talk Tools. Chain tools to be precise.

[Sasha]

I have no love for chain tools. I have broken two of them in my medium length home wrenching career. But they are a necessary part of bike maintenance. I have begun installing sram links, but sometimes I still need to break a chain or cut one down. So my question:

What is a reasonably priced, durable chain tool? And what features make it good?

The Park and Campy models seem outrageously expensive for the home mechanic. Maybe it just costs that much to get something durable and precise. Like I said, I don't need to pop that many pins, but I don't want to destroy more chains, tools, etc.

As a subquestion - Is there a chain tool that works on track chains, 8,9, and 10 speed chains?

[Sasha]

I hate to admit my cheap-skatedness when it comes to this issue. These are the two that I've broken.

[agilismerlin]

Park,

a past down generation piece.


i am on a posting roll.

too many ipa's



i am a Tool'

an expensive one'

[Sasha]

Is that the ct-3?

[ghsmith54]

Is that the ct-3?

Yep. This is one of those rare instances where you get what you pay for. I've had one for more years than I can remember, broken more chains than I care to count and my CT-3 is still going strong.

[junior2189]

pedro is what i use

JUNIOR

[ThasFACE]

pedro is what i use

I use the same. Happy with it. Word to big bird.

[SteveP]

sasha
cheap tools suck.
get decent tools.

[WadePatton]

I had to replace the pin on a Park "pocket model". I think I have two of them, but I haven't seen them both at the same time in a while. The pin was replaced because the original one got loose and fell out and was lost.

I wouldn't hesitate to get the shop model Park. But of course these little ones are working fine for now. And I'm no pro, just enthusiastic.

[pdxmech13]

I use a shimano rose wood handled tool all the time at work. It was pretty expensive, however it is a breeze to use and it has style and beauty. Shimano have a lesser expensive model available now with large handles to make pressing the pin in and out easy.

[dang]

The better park tool is good.

Last year, I got a deal on the campag chain tool -- still pretty darn dear -- and I went for it. It's ridiculous, or would be, but for the fact that it's a seriously good tool and works ridiculously well with their chains.

[Too Tall]

The Park tool has replaceable pins. They are inexpensive and maintain the precision of this tool...which was NOT an issue so much with 6-9 speed...with 10 speed chains you'd best keep a fine point on your tool ;)

[Shawn G]

++ on the Park. Sure it costs a little extra, but the thing weighs about 5 lbs, you can use it to keep your Big Blue Book open to the right page.

Shawn G

[dbohemian]

I use a Rohloff Revolver...

I actually peens the pin on the chain like the factory did. Gives a little piece of mind that chains will not break at the place they were joined.

[Too Tall]

I use a Rohloff Revolver...

I actually peens the pin on the chain like the factory did. Gives a little piece of mind that chains will not break at the place they were joined.

Bastid. I have no will power to resist. Hate you. ;)

[twowheels]

love the campy, tis a pleasure to use, worth the $$$

i never regret buying good tools, just bad ones

[Sasha]

This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for. Can someone explain the difference between "Peening" the chain like the factory and pushing the pin in?

[ghsmith54]

This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for. Can someone explain the difference between "Peening" the chain like the factory and pushing the pin in?

When you just push the pin in, the end that's been pushed through the chain is of a diameter that's small enough to fit through the chain (otherwise you couldn't push it through) and therefore what's small enough to go in might be small enough to come back out (or more likely the plate will pop off from shear force when cross chaining).

When you peen the pin, you flatten the end against something (see the round knurled part on the way cool Rohloff) so that the end is now larger than the hole through the link therefore it's less likely that the plate will come off and the chain will fail.

[thwart]

Another thumb's up on the Campy tool for their ultra-narrow 10 spd chains... elegant.

But pricey, even when you acquire it 2nd hand.

And I hear it won't work on the upcoming 2009 11 speed chains, naturally.

Love Campy... hate Campy.

[KGB]

cheap women
cheap booze
cheap tools

all great ideas at the time