Fitting Dura Ace chain

Anonymous

Its that time of year to fit a new chain. Am going to upgrade to a DA one as only £9 more.

Have heard that they can break if not fitted properly so do not want to fit badly.
Have never fitted a chain before so looking for some advice if there is anything I especially need to do/not do.

Thanks in advance for any help ;-)

I have a new Ultegra cassette to go on at the same time, and am also going to switch to Muck Off ceramic lube.

sungod

just follow the instructions supplied with the chain

tbh i prefer to fit a kmc link with new chains, makes maintenance much easier

Anonymous

Good tip, thanks ;-)
I use a chain cleaner at the moment but would prefer to take off and clean properly.
So am I right in thinking you take your chain off and refit using the same connector, and not had any problems on a ride?
Will that be OK with the DA chain? Any particular one that I need or tools to do it?

racingcondor

Your DA chain will come with a joining pin rather than a missing link and I think most reports of chains breaking are from people who have tried to reuse the joining pin or pushed it too far through.

If you use the pin (I always do, only take the chain off to bin it anyway so a missing link seems like overkill) then you'll notice a lot of resistance against the chain tool then a 'pop' and it will ease off. Just don't keep winding beyond that.

A KMC missing link will of course also work very well.

Anonymous

Thanks RC ;-)
Think I may use the pin and if I break the chain (on purpose, not on a ride!) I will re fit with the KMC link then.

Is the joining pin easy to find after fitting (so I take the same one out), or does it just look like all the others?

Any tips on a good but not overly expensive chain tool? I only have a multitool one and have been meaning to get one for use at home.

mister p

The joining pin is easy to spot. especially on a Dura Ace chain as the 10 and 11 speed ones have hollow pins and the joining pin is solid. The joining pin is slightly larger in diameter than the rest of the pins in the chain. So once you have pushed one through you should leave it in. If you need to split the chain remove a normal pin and rejoin with a fresh joining pin or quick link.

Anonymous

Thanks mP, good to get all this advice before chain arrives.

Any tips on a good chain tool? I like the look of this one.....

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-5-to ... hain-tool/

marin_maniac

Mate I'd send the DA chain back. I ordered one last year for the same reason as you. In the past I've only ever had Ultegra chains on my full Ultegra drive chain.

Big mistake. Noisest chain I've ever had took it off and replaced with Ultegra chain. Drive train noise levels are back to the reassuring hum rather than the bag of spammers sound track.

dennisn

Marin Maniac wrote:

Mate I'd send the DA chain back. I ordered one last year for the same reason as you. In the past I've only ever had Ultegra chains on my full Ultegra drive chain.

Big mistake. Noisest chain I've ever had took it off and replaced with Ultegra chain. Drive train noise levels are back to the reassuring hum rather than the bag of spammers sound track.

i kind of wondered when someone would chime in with a horror story.
To be honest anyone who has trouble with chains should not be allowed to work on a bike, even their own.

marin_maniac

*DELETED*

dgunthor

any park chain tool will be spot on

kmc missing link much easier than the shimano pins and you can take the chain off to clean easily

park tool and others do a pliers tool to remove the missing link - recommended as you'll struggle once it's been on for a while

better to have a 105/ultegra/kmc chain and replace often IMO rather than an expensive dura-ace

richiebones

I've used DA chains for years without any problems, noise, brakes nothing. Used the pins and now use kmc links for ease.
Don't forget they are Uni directional......put it on back to front and you'll get a lot of drive train noise......

Anonymous

Got the chain today. Had not considered that it has to go in a certain direction so another good tip ;-)

smidsy

Shimano Tech docs is what you need - it's on their website. Lots of useful stuff with pretty pictures and everything!

dee4life2005

My dura ace 7801 chain wasn't uni directional ...

richiebones

Never said it was.