Chain Tools - any recommendations?

banana_man

Hi, i'm doing the LEJoG imminently and it occurred to me that it's probably a good idea to take a chain tool with me; i've never had a broken chain, but covering over a thousand miles i'd say it's a bit of a risk and a debilitating one at that. I'd rather have a dedicated chain splitter rather than one on a multi-tool, because (a) i already have a good multi tool and (b) i've heard they can be really fiddly/cr*p. Does anyone have any recommendations and do the pins in them break easily?

I was looking at this, because I know Park Tools are good, but does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks.

nicklouse

why not take some spare chains that you have allready made the correct size and some powerlinks (or others brand of joining plates.

and just take the multi tool for the emergency.

Zendog1

nicklouse wrote:

why not take some spare chains that you have allready made the correct size and some powerlinks (or others brand of joining plates.

Stupid post - taking "some spare chains" on a Lejog.

Breaking / joining a chain is easy but is best practiced before you need to do it. Buy the lightest tool for your chain (Park tools are good) , a couple of spare links and at least five link pins. Try it - the trick is to take it slow and make sure the tool never gets out of line. It can take a surprising amount of force to get things moving - in and out. The second time is simple.
Cheers
Steve

[Edited by admin. Personal abuse will get you banned.]

Garybee

Zendog1 wrote:

Stupid post - taking "some spare chains" on a Lejog.

Steve

What's your problem then, so he made a grammar mistake or wasn't thinking when he typed his answer. The general gist of it was a reasonable idea though, take a spare chain already sized and with a quick link.

Get a life

Grifcp

good thread!

As for chain tools...I carry this one

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=410395818&n=Park%20Tools%20CT-5%20Chain%20Brute%20Chain%20Tool

Seems to work OK. Good luck with your Lejog.

andyp

The one Grif recommends is superb, a delightful piece of engineering. It's pretty small too so can easily be carried in a jersey pocket.

banana_man

Some people do the LEJoG with a support car carrying all of their stuff, so the "couple of spare chains" is not that silly of a suggestion, but alas we're taking the hardcore solo option, so i'm going to be relying on my repair skills. I'll definitiely need a practise beforehand, but thanks for the advice!

bryanm

As a side issue... A friend of mine spent ages working out where all the bike shops were on his lejog route. He took the basics to fix stuff on the go, but always knew where the next bike shop was if required.

moray_gub

banana_man wrote:

Hi, i'm doing the LEJoG imminently and it occurred to me that it's probably a good idea to take a chain tool with me; i've never had a broken chain, but covering over a thousand miles i'd say it's a bit of a risk and a debilitating one at that. I'd rather have a dedicated chain splitter rather than one on a multi-tool, because (a) i already have a good multi tool and (b) i've heard they can be really fiddly/cr*p. Does anyone have any recommendations and do the pins in them break easily?

I dont see what the prob is with a multitool one to be honest. I took an alien multi tool when i did LEJOG and altough i never used it i have since on two occasions and both times it worked like a treat.

cheers
MG