Anyone ever remove their chain for cleaning?

Bike-Rich
Bike-Rich Posts: 275
edited March 2012 in Workshop
Hi all,

I've never removed a chain before so want to prepare in case I get a snap on a ride. So thought it might be worth giving it a clean whilst it is off (including the cassettes and mini cogs).

I notice on my chain there is one link/pin that appears different from the rest (more solid), I presume this was where it was previously joined. Is it a good ideal to remove chain by this same link/pin and then reattach with the same pin? Or will the pin be unusable once out?

Comments

  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    What chain are you using? The usual method of removing the chain for cleaning means replacing one link with a quick link (KMC etc). The solid pin will be where it was originally joined yes.

    For a proper clean then yes i remove the chain. I also use a chain cleaner filled with degreaser for a quick clean.
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    no.
  • What chain are you using? The usual method of removing the chain for cleaning means replacing one link with a quick link (KMC etc). The solid pin will be where it was originally joined yes.

    .

    Right, so when the original pin comes out I cannot reuse it? I have to put a new 'quick link' in?
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    Depends on the chain - some you can reuse the pin, some have a special connector pin (some Shimano and Camapagnolo etc).

    The easy answer for easy removal in the future is a quick connector. I also carry a quick link and chain tool with me for possible breakages after snapping a sram chain 3 times last year on one ride - the pins are chamfered on the outer edge and so cant be connected as standard - hence why it kept breaking.
  • Depends on the chain - some you can reuse the pin, some have a special connector pin (some Shimano and Camapagnolo etc).

    The easy answer for easy removal in the future is a quick connector. I also carry a quick link and chain tool with me for possible breakages after snapping a sram chain 3 times last year on one ride - the pins are chamfered on the outer edge and so cant be connected as standard - hence why it kept breaking.


    Thanks, I'll look tomorrow to see what chain it is - think it is KMC.

    So the 'quick connector' is really only for 'patching' if out on ride? Ideally it should be a solid pin?
  • ratsbeyfus
    ratsbeyfus Posts: 2,841
    No - a 'quick link/connector' is strong enough to use all the time.


    I had one of them red bikes but I don't any more. Sad face.

    @ratsbey
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    Bike-Rich wrote:
    So the 'quick connector' is really only for 'patching' if out on ride? Ideally it should be a solid pin?

    Many KMC chains come with the quick connector as standard and are the proper way to join them. I've actually just bought a couple yesterday

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180489856484?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1721wt_1037
  • Thanks guys,

    The current chain on my road bike is a shimano 'VIA', i've had it for a while so i think it is best to replace anyway.
    So ideally a KMC 'Quick-Link' style chain is the way to go? I have 9 cogs on rear wheel so I presume I need a - KMC, 9 Speed?
  • g00se
    g00se Posts: 2,221
    A KMC X9.93 is a decent chain that's not too expensive - comes with the connector.

    The Wipperman 9 speed chain is good too with a quick connector that's easier to put on than the KMC.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    For future reference, a Shimano chain joined with the Shimano joining pin should be broken somewhere else.

    I use the KMC missing links with my Shimano chains. Simples!
  • All the info you need is here:
    http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html
  • keef66 wrote:
    For future reference, a Shimano chain joined with the Shimano joining pin should be broken somewhere else.

    !

    Thanks for replys,

    ^why is that keef66?
  • Twostage
    Twostage Posts: 987
    Answer to original question - yes if I'm giving it a deep clean.
  • pdw
    pdw Posts: 315
    Bike-Rich wrote:
    keef66 wrote:
    For future reference, a Shimano chain joined with the Shimano joining pin should be broken somewhere else.

    ^why is that keef66?

    Because that's what it says in the instructions :)http://techdocs.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/SI/Chain/SI_08V0C/SI-08V0C-001-ENG_v1_m56577569830682230.pdf

    All the other pins in the chain are riveted in. The connecting pins are apparently fatter at the ends, so I assume that they enlarge the chain plates slightly, and by the time you insert a second one you'll end up with a weak link.

    If you want to be able to take your chain on and off, use a KMC link. They work fine on a Shimano chain.
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    I usually just clean it with it still on the bike.

    If you take it off does it matter which way round you put it back on? an if it does how do you remember the original direction?
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • Chris Bass wrote:
    I usually just clean it with it still on the bike.

    After borrowing my LBS's Barbieri chain cleaning machine I have just ordered one. I'd forgotten how good they are.

    If you take it off does it matter which way round you put it back on? an if it does how do you remember the original direction?[/quote]

    Pretty much all chains are symmetric so it doesn't matter.

    EDIT Some of the more recent ones - http://blog.performancebike.com/2011/03 ... lo-chains/ - are asymmetric.
  • Just another quick question guys,

    If I go the KMC route, will I need the 2 KMC plier set for removing and rejoining?

    I plan to use my old shimano chain for a spare, are you definately right in saying I can use a KMC fix link with this also?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    KMC pliers make removal easier but you shouldn't need any tools to install one.

    And yes, if you get the correct Missing Link, it will work with a Shimano chain
  • Twostage
    Twostage Posts: 987
    Bike-Rich wrote:
    Just another quick question guys,
    If I go the KMC route, will I need the 2 KMC plier set for removing and rejoining?
    You don't need one if you have the knack and I admit it would be an easier process if you had three hands. I don't have one though. Happy to explain the knack if you want.
  • Thanks guys, and Twostage :)

    Just looking on chain reaction, there are quite a few KMC x9 types.
    The grey is the cheapest and all silver more expensive, is it just colour which is the difference?
    then they have a 'SL' range which is the most costly.


    I presume 'SL' means small link? would these still work with the standard joining link?

    I think I will stick with the 'all grey' providing it is no different from the silver.
  • jgsi
    jgsi Posts: 5,062
    Bike-Rich wrote:
    Thanks guys, and Twostage :)

    Just looking on chain reaction, there are quite a few KMC x9 types.
    The grey is the cheapest and all silver more expensive, is it just colour which is the difference?
    then they have a 'SL' range which is the most costly.


    I presume 'SL' means small link? would these still work with the standard joining link?

    I think I will stick with the 'all grey' providing it is no different from the silver.

    http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en&fn=bu_bicycle
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    SL is "Super Light". The cheapest KMC will shift as well and be just as durable as all the others. You're just paying extra for nicer finish and/or lighter weight.
  • Many thanks for help guys,

    Last questions :)

    The KMC quick link I use with the x9 chain will need to be different to the one used on a shimano chain right (will use the shimano for backup)?.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    The KMC 9 speed link will work on KMC, SRAM and Shimano 9 speed chains. You'd only need a different one if you went for Campag or go to 10 speed or both
  • Twostage
    Twostage Posts: 987
    Last time I narrowed it down to either a KMC X9 73 or an X9 93. Couldn't find what the difference was between them no matter how hard I googled. In the end I noticed that nearly everyone was selling the 73 for more than the 93 so I assumed the 73 must be better (I know). ChainReaction was bucking the trend pricewise and had the 73 cheaper than the 93 (and cheaper than anywhere else) so I bought it from there.
  • Bike-Rich
    Bike-Rich Posts: 275
    Twostage wrote:
    Last time I narrowed it down to either a KMC X9 73 or an X9 93. Couldn't find what the difference was between them no matter how hard I googled.

    Hi TwoStage!

    Finally got round to opening my post and have took delivery of the x9.93 chain. I too had trouble finding difference between the .73 and .93 but from my findings the .93 is apparently stronger and Half Nickel Plated. I might be wrong though.

    keef66 wrote:
    For future reference, a Shimano chain joined with the Shimano joining pin should be broken somewhere else.

    Right, as I will be using this old chain for a backup. Would it not be best to break the chain on the original join pin and completely remove this link and replace with the quick join?

    Will await advice before removing,

    Many thanks,
  • Bike-Rich
    Bike-Rich Posts: 275
    Any opinions guys? Would like to get this sorted tomorrow.
    The question is:

    Is it best to remove the existing pin join and replace with the quick joins. Or, should i just break elsewhere?
  • pdw
    pdw Posts: 315
    If you're replacing with a quick link, then I don't think it matters. If you do remove the original joining pin, bin the outer plates that it was in.
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    Bike-Rich wrote:
    Is it best to remove the existing pin join and replace with the quick joins. Or, should i just break elsewhere?
    Yes, if there is going to be a weak link in the chain it would most likely be at the original master link whether it was the original chain that came with the bike or a replacement chain done up with the special Shimano pin. Ideally that is the link you should replace with your quick link but not essential.
  • Bike-Rich
    Bike-Rich Posts: 275
    Perfect, will let you know how it goes.