Missing Link Campag 10 speed

Paulj700
Paulj700 Posts: 76
edited July 2013 in Workshop
Hi.

I've just tried to rejoin a chain using the missing link for campag 10 speed. The chain itself isn't a campag item, its simply a 10 speed narrow chain although the rest of my gear is campag.

When i go for the join the links refuse to engage. Its the finest of tolerances otherwise they would slide on.

Are these a squeeze to fit first time or is my non campag chain an issue?

Thanks

Paul

Comments

  • bondurant
    bondurant Posts: 858
    Missing links are designed for specific chain brands. That said, if you have a KMC missing link, and the rivets go through your chain easily enough, and you are just having trouble forcing the rivet into the opposing smaller slot in the missing link, what you need to do is this: Rotate the chain so that the missing link is on the upper part of the chain, between the cassette and the chainset if you are looking at your bike side on (as opposed to the part of the chain nearest the ground). The opposing rivets on the missing link should be in place, through the chain, in the wider part of the missing link slot.

    Then stamp on the pedals.
  • Paulj700
    Paulj700 Posts: 76
    ^^

    Thanks for that. I'll give it one last go.

    From what I can tell my chain is a Miche 10sp (my hubs and cassette are miche Reflex/primato). The rest of my drive-train is Campy Veloce/Xenon.

    When I push the links through there just doesn't seem to be quite enough pin to do the job and the links don't look like they'll slide on and off so easily as they do in YouTube videos.

    I'll have another pop, but I've a feeling I'll be off down the shop to buy a KMC chain in the morning.

    Taa again.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    The Campag and Shimano compatible Missing links are ever so slightly different widths. Not sure where you stand with a Miche chain, but I suspect you have found the answer yourself!

    http://www.kmcchain.eu/?en/products/con ... ing_links/

    Looks like the Campag pins are longer!
  • Paulj700
    Paulj700 Posts: 76
    keef66 wrote:
    Not sure where you stand with a Miche

    I'm beginning to wonder if Miche isn't causing me problems all over!

    First I had a Miche primato Campag 10 speed cassette. I bought a Lifeline Cassette removal tool (specifically described as a campag tool) and it seems ever so slightly too large to do the job. I muddled through and got the lock-ring loose with half the teeth engaged.

    Next I have a Miche chain on a otherwise campag groupset and my KMC Missing link (again specifically for campag stuff) wont fit the chain.

    I'm beginning to think Miche are attempting to set their own standard measurements :P


    Buying a KMC x10 in the morning.... :roll:
  • gfk_velo
    gfk_velo Posts: 78
    The dimension problem on your chain link isn't really a Campag problem .... it's a mismatch between Miche's chain dimensions and a joining link made specifically for the Campagnolo product.

    Many third party chains claim Campag compatibility but their dimensions are not exactly the same - in fact even KMC's 10s compatible chain is actually slightly narrower than Campagnolo's and uses a narrower joining link.

    You should note that Miche themselves say explicitly in their instructions that their chain should be joined with their joining rivet and with my "RTFM" hat on, that's what I'd advise too - it may be less convenient to break the chain but in real terms, very few of us do that on a regular basis anyway, plus most of the 10s joining links available now are one-shot items in any case, so there is no real saving (apart from investing in a chain too, which you'll need to correctly crop the chain anyway) in having a "quick link".

    For the cassette lockring tooling, from what you say it sounds as if your Miche's cassette lockring is actually Shimano-pattern spline, even though it is a Campagnolo-spaced cassette, hence not being able to get the Campag spline tool in. For refitting, especially, it's essential that you get a tool that fits correctly as you'll not get the lockring anything like tight enough to prevent potential damage to the freehub body and to compress the spacers to get accurate spacing for the indexing, if you can't get the tool to sit right "into" the lockring.

    Hope that helps!

    Graeme
    Velotech Cycling Ltd
    Velotech - industry-recognised mechanic's training
    Campagnolo main UK Service Centre
    Velotech Cycling Ltd - The Campagnolo Specialists since 1987
    :: GFK has been a Campagnolo SRL factory-trained and appointed technician in the UK since 2004 ::
    :: GFK has been Campagnolo SRL factory-accredited technical trainer since 2004 ::
    :: Velotech Cycling Ltd have been the UK's lead Appointed Service Centre since 2008 ::
  • Paulj700
    Paulj700 Posts: 76
    Thanks for the detailed response Graeme.

    Yes, I realised I had mismatched. I bought a KMC missing link with "Campagnolo" stamped on it and mistakenly assumed that because my mechs are campag, all would be OK. My hubs and cassette being Miche and presumably a Miche chain also has been the root of my problems.

    I popped into a LBS this morning and resolved much of my issues with a KMC chain and Missing link. The KMC is indeed a little narrower than the Miche chain I have removed.

    I'm still a little confused however as the LBS seemed to suggest that Miche were pretty much their own fitting be it wither campag or shimano compatible. I have also come across Miche specific tools.

    As for the cassette, I managed to remove the old one OK with the campag tool I had. All of the teeth were not engaged though. I have got it back on OK also and I am sure its at least as tight as the one I removed. Its a 45kN torque but without a torque wrench I'm guessing.

    I may have to postpone this evenings ride while i search out yet another tool!

    Thanks again

    Paul

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