shimano chain pins

[wiggy]

How hard is it to snap off the end of a Shimano chain pin without pliers? In other words, does the well-prepared mtnbiker whose camelback includes the pins to fix a Shimano chain on the trail also need to lug around a pair of pliers? don't want to carry them for 100 miles this wknd if avoidable.

[liltommy]

I've got like 6.
Haven't used the pins in years.
A little pricey but well worth it to me for the conveniance.

Tommy

OH, and no, I don't think I could snap one off without pliers.

[crack monkey]

I stopped carrying them for that reason. I do carry a SRAM PowerLink.

[cbashaw]

I also prefer the sram power links for ease of use, but I have snapped pins off before without pliers by using either the bottom notch in the chain tool or the spoke wrench part of my crank Brothers multi tool It has always worked well for me.

If you use this method I would suggest trying it before you go so you know what to expect because all tools are different.

Although for my trials bikes I prefer using the pins over the links because they are much stronger and rarely fail, I have borken many power links when really torquing hard on the drivetrain.

[smdubovsky]

I think they are pretty easy to snap off. I think I'd be able to do it w/ just my multitool out on the trail (but I've never actually had to do one on the trail). I don't carry pliers.

[FIX_BKS]

Once pushed through, a good wack with anything solid snaps 'em off, like the chain tool itself for example. Matter of fact (and I don't recommend this) my buddy who replaced one forgot to snap it off and as he rode away the derailleur cage did the work for him...w/o causing any damage.

Would still recommend the SRAM Powerlink.

[g_barr]

How hard is it to snap off the end of a Shimano chain pin without pliers? In other words, does the well-prepared mtnbiker whose camelback includes the pins to fix a Shimano chain on the trail also need to lug around a pair of pliers? don't want to carry them for 100 miles this wknd if avoidable.

Both Park (http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=25) and Crank Brothers (http://www.crankbrothers.com/downloadcbfile.php?fileId=84) show the Shimano pin being snapped using the chain repair tool.

I like the SRAM Powerlink suggestion for a trail repair. Apparently the only compatibility issue is Shimano and SRAM are competitors. But I think you would still have to press at least one pin out of your chain.

I've practiced breaking an old Shimano HG chain with my Crank Brothers Multi-17 - it works okay but this tool does not punch the old pin out entirely (as the Park instructions mention). So you should still carry a few Shimano pins just to help push the old pin out. I haven't tried it with my Park CT-5.

If you're really concerned about your chain breaking, the fastest solution would be to pack a pre-sized replacement chain with a couple SRAM Powerlinks.

[jed]

I have used Sram 9-speed power links in Shimano 9-speed chains and it works fine. I'm a racer, too, so often my chain is getting abused, lots of force, cross-chained on the big ring, lots of shifts, etc.

I prefer Sram chains, though, as they seem to last longer. I've only broken a couple of power links over many hours/years if use, both were at Gambrill/Watershed. One of them was caused by hitting a rock, the other I'm not too sure. But that is a pretty good batting average IMHO. I always carry a spare.

I have been using a KMC 10-speed link in the 10-speed Shimano chain on my road bike, too. It has been working great.

I hate those silly pins.

[wiggy]

[QUOTE=g_barr]Both Park (http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=25) and Crank Brothers (http://www.crankbrothers.com/downloadcbfile.php?fileId=84) show the Shimano pin being snapped using the chain repair tool.

These are really great links showing how to use the chain tool to break off the pilot. Thanks for posting! This will save me 8 oz of weight during the sm100 (or yet another trip to the bike shop beforehand)!

[g_barr]

You didn't have much time to find SRAM Powerlinks, so what did you decide?

[wiggy]

You didn't have much time to find SRAM Powerlinks, so what did you decide?

I took a look at the Park chain tool I carried to see if it was one of those described on the Park web site, and it was, and it looked like it would be a fairly simple operation to snap off the end of the pilot with the tool. I didn't try it, but just figured I would manage it somehow or else just throw my bike against a boulder or something. The good news I didn't have to do either. Chain was fine; butt hurts

[g_barr]

Chain was fine

Glad to hear the last minute jitters were for naught. Congratulations on finishing.

butt hurts

I was contemplating next year's SM100 until you said this! Except for the road sections and some climbs, I'm not so sure about riding my hard tail.

[wiggy]

Glad to hear the last minute jitters were for naught. Congratulations on finishing.



I was contemplating next year's SM100 until you said this! Except for the road sections and some climbs, I'm not so sure about riding my hard tail.


don't let the prospect of a sore butt get in the way. In my case it was probably lack of chamois butter v lack of rear suspension (hmm, maybe chamois butter is a form of rear suspension. )your butt will probably hurt no matter what. Lots of people ride this on hard tails (as well as rigid single speed and a few on fixies!) though lots of people bomb the downhills a lot faster than I do.