what tools do i need to take off and fit a chain?

whydoesitalwaysrainonme
whydoesitalwaysrainonme Posts: 532
edited June 2009 in Workshop
Hi
I am buying a new chain due to wear, and am wondering what tools i will need to take the old chain off and fit the new one?
cheers Jamie
Ribble Gran Fondo
Focus Black Hills
Raleigh Chopper

Comments

  • tayaste
    tayaste Posts: 19
    you need a chain tool.
  • whydoesitalwaysrainonme
    whydoesitalwaysrainonme Posts: 532
    do you mean one of these?
    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Chain_Rivet_Extractor/5360026441/
    Ribble Gran Fondo
    Focus Black Hills
    Raleigh Chopper
  • tayaste
    tayaste Posts: 19
    Yes... or this.... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topea ... 969759271/
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Remember to keep hold of both ends of the chain when you split it. I lost my grip and the tension in the rear mech whipped it back against the seatstay and it's taken 4 neat little chips out of the paint.

    Mind you, Kinesis are very kindly sending me some touch-up paint FOC!

    I have rejoined the chain with a KMC missing link to make things easier next time. It was quite a struggle driving the rivets out of the original 105 chain; I've bent my chain tool handle.
  • SBezza
    SBezza Posts: 2,173
    I would make sure you don't already have a missing link, I had one fitted on my Trek 1.7 from the factory.

    You will still need a chain tool to shorten the new chain however.

    I would get a KMC chain as well rather than a 105 chain, they will come with a new missing link as well.
  • DomPro
    DomPro Posts: 321
    This is a surprisingly messy job so its worth wearing gloves gloves like latex or general working gloves, (not cycling ones).
    Shazam !!
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    keef66 wrote:
    Remember to keep hold of both ends of the chain when you split it. I lost my grip and the tension in the rear mech whipped it back against the seatstay and it's taken 4 neat little chips out of the paint.

    Or just take the chain off the chainring, thereby removing all tension from it...
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Doh! You could have told me that last week!
  • butcher_boy
    butcher_boy Posts: 117
    When fitting the new chain to you measure it against the old one or count the amount of links?

    If you do a phyical measure won't the old one have streched a bit?
  • Shezzer
    Shezzer Posts: 229
    Just measure it side by side ... no need to count links.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    they don't stretch so much that you can't take the length of the old one as a guide!
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    It depends how worn they are !

    Count the links (or lay side by side on some newspaper or something and just match link-for-link), don't simply match the length of the old one
    - you want the new chain to be the same length as the old one was when it was new, not the length it now is now it's worn and stretched...
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    whydoesitalwaysrainonme wrote:
    Hi
    I am buying a new chain due to wear, and am wondering what tools i will need to take the old chain off and fit the new one?
    cheers Jamie

    The best setup imho would be to get a KMC chain and one of these: - only £8.

    KMC chain Link pliers: £ 7.95

    http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1 ... liers.html

    These link pliers make the job of removing your missing links and chain very easy. Much easier and quicker than by doing it by hand. People often come on the forum unable to open the missing links - it can be hard by hand - these make it a doddle.

Categories