Removing chain to clean bike?

D4N

Basically I clean my bike after every ride.

It's white so gets dirty very easily.

I regularly remove the crank and wheels to clean it.

I would find it much easier to clean it with the chain removed. Anal i know!

I just want to know if i fit a re-uasble link is it still ok to use on a daily basis?

It's has a 10sp Shimano rear cassette with an FSA Chain. Will a Wipperman link like this fit?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/wippermann-conn ... -10-speed/

Thanks

Dan

ricky1980

get KMC missing link - cheaper £5 for a pair i think and it does the same thing.

removing chain to clean bike is a good idea that's the only way to clean the chain properly.

Pokerface

And get the KMC chain tool also. Makes removing the link a LOT easier: http://www.google.co.uk/shopping/produc ... CF0Q8wIwAg

smoggysteve

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/chain-hook-and-wear-indicator-ec049319

Cheaper, practical and ultimately more useful. Also can check for chain wear

Pokerface

SmoggySteve wrote:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/chain-hook-and-wear-indicator-ec049319

Cheaper, practical and ultimately more useful. Also can check for chain wear

Umnnnnn. No. Not more practical. Different all-together.

smoggysteve

Do you really need a 13 pound tool to remove a missing link? If so then you are a bit dull. Everyone should carry a chain tool out on a ride in case a chain snaps but for hooking a chain back together with a missing link a piece of bent wire to hold the chain is good enough. I recommended the chain hook at it doubles for checking chain wear.

Pokerface

SmoggySteve wrote:

Do you really need a 13 pound tool to remove a missing link?

I got miner for £8 and the answer is yes. I am dull.

However, I have NEVER had to fight with my dirty chain, battling that stupid missing link to get it to undo. I use a tool that was designed for that purpose. And keep my hands clean.

I recently saw a post on Facebook from someone know who spent over an hour!? trying to undo their link by hand. They don't always work the way they are intended.

And I've never checked chain wear. I just replace my chain after a sensible amount of time. Or when it stops working effectively.

But like you said... I am dull.

smoggysteve

Pokerface wrote:

SmoggySteve wrote:

Do you really need a 13 pound tool to remove a missing link?

I use a tool that was designed for that purpose. And keep my hands clean.

I carry a pair of latex gloves, no dirty hands and if you keep your chain clean and well oiled the missing link should open up pretty easy.

I will take your word on the dullness. :-)

sensi10

Kmc split link all the way, use kmc as they are the best chains in my experience , also I would buy the tool to help remove the chain as the 10spd are very difficult to remove with out as the chain is much narrower . 9 speed are easier and can be done by hand

giant_man

SmoggySteve wrote:

Do you really need a 13 pound tool to remove a missing link? If so then you are a bit dull. Everyone should carry a chain tool out on a ride in case a chain snaps but for hooking a chain back together with a missing link a piece of bent wire to hold the chain is good enough. I recommended the chain hook at it doubles for checking chain wear.

What's dull about it? I would buy and carry one if I used this link, you're the dull one and obviously enjoy making life hard for yourself imo. Whatever makes it easier if you ask me ...

Pokerface

I don't carry the tool with me on rides. Or a spare link.

The tool is for home/travel when I need to remove chains more often for various reasons. It's just another tool in my tool box. I've spent 10's of thousands on bikes - what's an extra £8 for the correct tool to help service them!?

rolf_f

Pokerface wrote:

I don't carry the tool with me on rides. Or a spare link.

The tool is for home/travel when I need to remove chains more often for various reasons. It's just another tool in my tool box. I've spent 10's of thousands on bikes - what's an extra £8 for the correct tool to help service them!?

It's just another one of those things that turns a tedious task into a much quicker, easier one.

FWIW, the Wipperman links are much better than the KMC variety IMO. They go together and split much more easily but only when you want them too. You'll never struggle with one so they do make the tool less essential (though still a nice to have).

drlodge

In all my years of cycling, I've never had a chain problem while out on the bike. I do carry a spare KMC link but doubt I'll ever have a need to use it, but since its so small I guess "why not" carry one, just in case. Heaven only knows how I'd get the existing kink off if I needed to, I've tried without the tool and it just won't budge - this is an 11 speed link on a Chorus chain. The tool is the only way for me.

smoggysteve

Why make life difficult for myself? It's very simple to slide two bits of metal open on a well maintained and lubed chain. So not really difficult. And certainly not DULL.

I have a bike tool with a metal bar I can hook into the chain, keep a few links loose and not under tension and simply slide them apart. Think this is another case if a simple to do job being made to sound more complicated than it is.

keef66

I have the removal pliers for garage use. Just makes it a lot quicker, easier, cleaner to do. They can be a bugger to undo by hand on the 10 speed chains. And I don't consider myself dull. Rather shiny in places actually.

On the bike I take an extra couple of chain links and a KMC link and have a chain tool on my multitool, but I'm not 100% confident I'd be able to fix a broken chain at the roadside.

I found out I'd had a narrow escape a few weeks ago. Chain seemed to jam a couple of times in the rear mech, but the whole drivetrain was so filthy I couldn't see what was wrong. Seemed to fix itself and I went on to do another 30 miles. Then I took off the chain for cleaning and when it came out of the jar of white spirit the KMC link had lost one of it's pins. When I went to get the spare link out of my puncture kit it wasn't there, so I'd have been buggered if the chain had parted with me 20 miles from home :shock:

smoggysteve

keef66 wrote:

I found out I'd had a narrow escape a few weeks ago. Chain seemed to jam a couple of times in the rear mech, but the whole drivetrain was so filthy I couldn't see what was wrong.

6 P's I think. See, I can always find my missing link because I make sure my chain and running gear are serviceable. That means cleaning after use and relubing. Not 3 days later when it's had chance to ingrain and seize. But as soon as I return home. If you keep things clean and dirt is wiped off. This sort if thing can be prevented. If links are jamming and causing issues, I would say you don't maintain it well enough. So in a way, yes you are dull!!

keef66

SmoggySteve wrote:

keef66 wrote:

I found out I'd had a narrow escape a few weeks ago. Chain seemed to jam a couple of times in the rear mech, but the whole drivetrain was so filthy I couldn't see what was wrong.

6 P's I think. See, I can always find my missing link because I make sure my chain and running gear are serviceable. That means cleaning after use and relubing. Not 3 days later when it's had chance to ingrain and seize. But as soon as I return home. If you keep things clean and dirt is wiped off. This sort if thing can be prevented. If links are jamming and causing issues, I would say you don't maintain it well enough. So in a way, yes you are dull!!

Chain's spotless now though, and I do have a spare link in my repair kit