Changing link in chain

jndb72

Afternoon,

Is it possible to change a single link in a chain? The chain in question is an Shimano XT HG94 10 Speed. When cleaning the bike this afternoon I noticed one of the plates on one of the links has snapped off. If possible I'd just like to buy a new link and fit it to the existing chain. Chain is only around a month old so I don't really want to replace the whole thing. Also, what tools would I require?

Apologies if this is a stupid question but I'm a noob to all this maintenance stuff. I'm basically fed up of paying the LBS to do stuff that I should be doing myself (within reason).

Thanks for any help.

Cheers

J

desweller

Yeah, just get a quick link, pop it off with your chain tool and put the quick link on instead.

mar_k

wouldnt it be covered under the Manufacturer Warranty if its only a month old?

jndb72

Not sure, It got fitted by a well know (in my area) LBS.

jndb72

DesWeller wrote:

Yeah, just get a quick link, pop it off with your chain tool and put the quick link on instead.

Just being doing some googling. Is a quicklink the same as a powerlink?

Thanks

J

desweller

Um, I think the Powerlinks are SRAM's one-use-only links. If you can find a link that you can remove (e.g. KMC or Connex) then that'll be a bit more useful.

I'm not sure if MTB 10-speed chains are a different breadth to road 10-speed; if they are then you can get the KMC links on eBay for a more competitive price than the big online retailers. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I can confirm/refute?

jndb72

Would something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25439 work as a replacement link?

Cheers

stubs

Yes get the Shimano ones. The Campag wont fit a MTB chain.

andrewjoseph

you need a chain tool, and you may need to take two links out, to be able to use the quick links. i.e. you can't use the quick link going through a side plate.

jndb72

Ok, getting confused now. I thought I might need a chain tool, can anyone reccommend one for this job. Why would I need to take out 2 links, could I not just take out the broken link and replace it with a new one?

Thanks for your input so far.

Cheers

J

cooldad

Any chain tool will do. My favourite is the Parktools Mini Brute. Tiny enough to carry around, good enough to break any chain.
You could just replace a link, but often makes a weak spot - a masterlink by whatever name is more secure and does a better job.

stubs

You dont need to remove 2 links that would make the chain too short. To use a master link you remove the outer plates to leave 2 male ends

jndb72

cooldad wrote:

Any chain tool will do. My favourite is the Parktools Mini Brute. Tiny enough to carry around, good enough to break any chain.

Is this http://www.parktool.com/product/mini-chain-brute-chain-tool-ct-5 the one you mention?

Thanks

jndb72

stubs wrote:

You dont need to remove 2 links that would make the chain too short. To use a master link you remove the outer plates to leave 2 male ends

Is the new replacement link then used to rejoin the 2 male ends?

Thanks

stubs

jndb72 wrote:

stubs wrote:

You dont need to remove 2 links that would make the chain too short. To use a master link you remove the outer plates to leave 2 male ends

Is the new replacement link then used to rejoin the 2 male ends?

Thanks

Yes

journey_man_pro

It sure is.

jndb72

Thanks lads. I'll order the bits tomorrow and give it a shot.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers

J

cooldad

jndb72 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Any chain tool will do. My favourite is the Parktools Mini Brute. Tiny enough to carry around, good enough to break any chain.

Is this http://www.parktool.com/product/mini-chain-brute-chain-tool-ct-5 the one you mention?

Thanks

.That's the one. CRC normally have them for a decent price, or Ebay

andrewjoseph

stubs wrote:

You dont need to remove 2 links that would make the chain too short. To use a master link you remove the outer plates to leave 2 male ends

that's what i meant, depending on where it's broke.

jndb72

Parts and tools arrived in the post this morning. 10 minutes of faffing about and I had a replacement link fitted. Took the bike for a quick spin and all seems good. Lucky I bought 2 replacement links because when trying to fit the first one I let the tension in the chain go and the link flew off into the garden, never to be seen again.

Thanks for all your help.

Cheers

J