How to fit a chain!?!?

drewfromrisca
drewfromrisca Posts: 1,165
edited July 2008 in Workshop
I'm looking to get a KMC X10SL chain and I've read things about missing links etc so I'm trying to work out, what tools do I need to fit it? Do I need a chain extractor? How does cleaning it work? Do I just take it off with this missing link and then put it on again with same link??? I'm not the most mechanically minded! (Maybe it's time to do a mechanics course or buy a book!?!?!?)
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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    remove old chain. if it has a link use it. if not use a chain spliter.

    size new chain with a chain splitter
    info here: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=26

    info on splitting and joining here:
    http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=25
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • fluff.
    fluff. Posts: 771
    KMC chains do come with those missing links, you wont need any tools to fit or remove it, but you might need chain splitter as mentioned to remove your existing one.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    fluff. wrote:
    KMC chains do come with those missing links, you wont need any tools to fit or remove it, but you might need chain splitter as mentioned to remove your existing one.

    yes you will need to use a chain splitter to size the new chain.

    Unless your new chain is the same length as the old one.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    drewfromrisca wrote:
    I'm looking to get a KMC X10SL chain and I've read things about missing links etc so I'm trying to work out, what tools do I need to fit it? Do I need a chain extractor? How does cleaning it work? Do I just take it off with this missing link and then put it on again with same link??? I'm not the most mechanically minded! (Maybe it's time to do a mechanics course or buy a book!?!?!?)

    After you've sized the chain using a chain splitter, you fit the chain "by hand" - essentially you wrap one end around the jockey wheels etc at the back, the other end around a chain ring at the front, then pull both ends close together then put the missing link on to connect both halves -- regards cleaning your chain, week in/week out, just clean with some degreaser and a rag and then apply oil/lube as normal - on the rare occasion/before an event, yes you can always unclip the missing link and fully take your chain off - and yes, you can put it back on again with the same link - links are cheap though so you can always use new ones if desired.

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