Split a 10 speed Dura Ace Chain - Do I need a new link &

doyler78
doyler78 Posts: 1,951
edited May 2009 in Workshop
I've just split a 10 speed Dura Ace chain as I wanted to give it a really good clean as I'm cleaning the whole drive train and I just couldn't seem to get the chain clean enough.

Can I just rejoin the chain or do I need to replace the link and pin where I split the chain?

Comments

  • on the road
    on the road Posts: 5,631
    You can just rejoin the chain without replaceing the link, but you will have to use a HG pin and not the original pin because when you force the pin out it makes the hole bigger, so that original pin won't be big enough for the hole.
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I recommend just getting a KMC joining link, far easier than messing about with joining pins IMO
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  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    redddraggon wrote:
    I recommend just getting a KMC joining link, far easier than messing about with joining pins IMO

    +1 "far easier" and to tell the truth I never did trust myself at re pinning a chain. Especially the newer, narrower ones. I don't even consider using anything other than a "master link" these days.

    Dennis Noward
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    on the road wrote:
    You can just rejoin the chain without replaceing the link, but you will have to use a HG pin and not the original pin because when you force the pin out it makes the hole bigger, so that original pin won't be big enough for the hole.

    I'm a bit confused on this one. If the problem is that the hole in the link is bigger then how does a new pin sort that. Would a new pin not just be the same size as the old one and suffer the same problem?
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    redddraggon wrote:
    I recommend just getting a KMC joining link, far easier than messing about with joining pins IMO

    I have a new KMC X10L chain with the joining link that came with that. I take it I can just use that one and replace it for when I do use the chain.
  • Bhima
    Bhima Posts: 2,145
    redddraggon wrote:
    I recommend just getting a KMC joining link, far easier than messing about with joining pins IMO

    Every time you undo a chain using those, does the chain get weaker, like it does when you use a chain tool on normal pins Or can you just keep doing it?
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    doyler78 wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    I recommend just getting a KMC joining link, far easier than messing about with joining pins IMO

    I have a new KMC X10L chain with the joining link that came with that. I take it I can just use that one and replace it for when I do use the chain.

    Yeh, that's fine
    Bhima wrote:
    Every time you undo a chain using those, does the chain get weaker, like it does when you use a chain tool on normal pins Or can you just keep doing it?

    It won't weaken the chain using a special joining link.
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  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    The Shimano pins or a joining link will not weaken the chain. Just the link is a lot easier and is multi use. The pin is once only.
    My Fleet.
  • on the road
    on the road Posts: 5,631
    doyler78 wrote:
    on the road wrote:
    You can just rejoin the chain without replaceing the link, but you will have to use a HG pin and not the original pin because when you force the pin out it makes the hole bigger, so that original pin won't be big enough for the hole.

    I'm a bit confused on this one. If the problem is that the hole in the link is bigger then how does a new pin sort that. Would a new pin not just be the same size as the old one and suffer the same problem?
    The pin is a special HyperGlide connecting pin like this one, the HG pins are bigger then the original pins. But once you've replaced the pin with a HG pin, you can't break it there again. If you need to break the chain again then you have to break it at a different location, if you break it at the same location then that link becomes unusable.

    If you like the idea of taking the chain off frequently then maybe those KMC links are for you, but if you don't intend taking the chain off again then the HG pins are better, they are stronger then the KMC links IMO.

    I've heard lots of stories of chains breaking with those links, but I've never heard of chains breaking with the HG pin inserted.
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    on the road wrote:
    doyler78 wrote:
    on the road wrote:
    You can just rejoin the chain without replaceing the link, but you will have to use a HG pin and not the original pin because when you force the pin out it makes the hole bigger, so that original pin won't be big enough for the hole.

    I'm a bit confused on this one. If the problem is that the hole in the link is bigger then how does a new pin sort that. Would a new pin not just be the same size as the old one and suffer the same problem?
    The pin is a special HyperGlide connecting pin like this one, the HG pins are bigger then the original pins. But once you've replaced the pin with a HG pin, you can't break it there again. If you need to break the chain again then you have to break it at a different location, if you break it at the same location then that link becomes unusable.

    If you like the idea of taking the chain off frequently then maybe those KMC links are for you, but if you don't intend taking the chain off again then the HG pins are better, they are stronger then the KMC links IMO.

    I've heard lots of stories of chains breaking with those links, but I've never heard of chains breaking with the HG pin inserted.

    Now I understand. Thanks for that.

    Decisions, decisions. I have heard the same stories especially regarding the KMC 10 speed chains which is why I'm still considering whether to bother fitting the chain or not. It wouldn't be normal for me to split. I normally just rotate cassettes - not chains and cassettes so I think give my skepticism I will probably get some of those pins and use the KMC links as a quick fix if needed.

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