105 5800 chain

fatsmoker
fatsmoker Posts: 585
edited June 2015 in Workshop
So I have bought a new 105 5800 11 speed chain and nice Park Tools chain splitter tool (the large one with a blue handle). Looking at videos online (because I am useless at maintenance but determined to succeed) they refer to the chain pilot bit which is has a longer rivet to guide the rivet through the connecting holes. The chain didn't come with this longer bit, just onenormal rivet which is only connected to one side of the chain link (hope that makes sense). So it looks like that rivet is there to push through when the chain is ready to connect. Is that right or do I need to go and buy a pilot pin?
And while I'm on, what are the chances of me f***ing this up?

Comments

  • KMC Quicklinks are your best friends - 2x set (i.e. 4 individual links) for two applications for less than £10. Use one set, keep other in saddle bag.
    All the gear, but no idea...
  • Semantik
    Semantik Posts: 537
    No, the pin that comes with it is the one you use.

    If you subsequently split and rejoined the chain you would then need one of the special rivets.

    One of these http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... 6000000000

    But you don't need one yet.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Semantik typed faster than me, but I've done it now so I'm clicking Submit!

    Yes, you're correct. On a new chain the pin that's installed into just one side plate is to be used to join the chain when you've chopped off enough at the other end. You only really get one attempt though.

    Thereafter if you have to split the chain for any reason, discard the pin you push out. Shimano would like you to rejoin the chain with one of their joining pins with the pilot end you subsequently snap off. Or as suggested you can use one of the more convenient KMC Missing Links. All my Shimano chains have been joined using them.
  • fatsmoker
    fatsmoker Posts: 585
    Thank you.
  • svetty
    svetty Posts: 1,904
    Given that you have already bought the chain tool it makes sense to use it again if you need to split the chain in future. The joining pins are cheap - bought in units of 5.

    Although some will decry this, I've often split a chain by carefully partially driving out a pin - just enough to open the chain but without completely pushing it through the far side-plate - then rejoined it by pushing the pin back from the opposite side. Yes this is slightly iffy in that the pin will be a wee bit looser interference fit in the side plate but I've been doing it for years and never had a chain fail......
    FFS! Harden up and grow a pair :D
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Svetty wrote:
    Given that you have already bought the chain tool it makes sense to use it again if you need to split the chain in future. The joining pins are cheap - bought in units of 5.

    Although some will decry this, I've often split a chain by carefully partially driving out a pin - just enough to open the chain but without completely pushing it through the far side-plate - then rejoined it by pushing the pin back from the opposite side. Yes this is slightly iffy in that the pin will be a wee bit looser interference fit in the side plate but I've been doing it for years and never had a chain fail......

    That was fine up to 9 speed. With the advent of 10 and 11 speed chains pushing out the pin means you remove some metal from it and you shouldn't really be reusing it.
  • fatsmoker
    fatsmoker Posts: 585
    Success!