How do I take my chain off?

Secteur

It seems to have a "quick release" link, but I can't figure out (without wanting to force & damage it) how to break the chain so I can give it a "deep clean".

Cheers.

thescouselander

Its takes a bit of practise but essentially you just need to push either end of the link together- sometimes it helps to use a pair of pliars.

nicktheluddite

Park tools make this http://www.parktool.com/product/master- ... iers-mlp-1 although I find needle nosed pliers are OK. (Do you really want to take off your chain? I believe deep clean can risk washing out the factory applied lubricant) The late great Sheldon Brown will explain everything http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html

rafletcher

It depends on the chain manufacturer and "speed" if you can - by which I mean that recently I bought a bike with an SRAM chain on it, 10sp. I use 9sp SRAM on my other bikes, and they have a "powerlink" that can be broken by pushing together the links on either side (sometimes by hand, sometimes using pliers to help). BUT I found out the 10sp SRAM powerlink is a permanent one, once installed it can't be "broken" - and I'm guessing their 11sp will be too. So next time I'll be using Connex/Wipperman or KMC, where the 10sp "missing link" (as KMC call it) can be broken by hand.

EDIT: If you have one you can't break, then use a chain tool, and when you want to put it back together take out 2 links (one at the end, one half way) and install 2 "missing links" to rejoin. You can use KMC or Connex ones in any chain of the appropriate speed - though some may be directional.

Secteur

Brilliant - thanks for the advice!

bompington

greasedscotsman

bompington wrote:

Is that for cutting the chain or the stay?

Secteur

It's 10 speed, and I seem to recall it saying KMC on it (though it's a full Shimano 105 groupset otherwise)

gilesjuk

I've removed a 10 speed link and reused it before now.

Used my Park Took master link pliers (alternatives are available).

pscyclist

To split a 'masterlink' without pliers, when out on the road, for example, you can lift the chain to create a couple of links slack around the chainwheel, so that the masterlink protrudes, and then give it a tap with whatever comes to hand, even a rock will do, in extremis.
I echo what others have said about reusabiliuty of links. I stick to KMC now.

keef66

I bought the pliers because getting the 10 speed ones undone can sometimes be next to impossible otherwise. (Ideally you need 3 hands to squeeze the sideplates together at the same time as pushing the links on each side towards each other)

KMC 10 speed missing links are reusable, the SRAM 10 speed Powerlock can be undone but it's not reccommended to reuse it.

Paul E

I had a kmc on mine too, you have to use a pair of pliers to push the plates apart, took a bit of fiddling the first time but once you are used to it it's fine, I had to split the ultegra chain on my bike now and used one of those links as they are so good.

CiB

The quick link on mine has a slight recess at the end of the slot that the pins slide over and down into, so instead of just pushing the two plates towards each others centres to separate them you have to push upwards & inwards a little bit at each end simultaneously to encourage the pin over the peak. Hard to explain but once you see it it becomes clear, and a lot easier.

desweller

greasedscotsman wrote:

bompington wrote:

Is that for cutting the chain or the stay?

Chainstay, duh. If you cut through the chain you'll damage it.

nicktheluddite

sheldon also tells you how to clean the chain http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html (WARNING - advice might not be serious).

balthazar

nicktheluddite wrote:

Do you really want to take off your chain? I believe deep clean can risk washing out the factory applied lubricant

To be clear, the factory lubricant is great, but eventually it is corrupted by fine road grit, which turns it into an efficient grinding paste. At that stage, the chain can be cleaned thoroughly. The only way to do that is off the bike, submerged and agitated in solvent.

The resulting cleaned and dried chain can be re-oiled with your lubricant of choice. The factory stuff is not available: I use motor oil which I have in abundance, but if I was buying something specially, I'd choose foaming chainsaw oil.