Cheaper alternative to the Campagnolo chain tool?

christiandransfield

Hey everyone,

I'm about to buy a new chain for my Campagnolo Veloce chainset, but didn't realise how much the Campag chain tool is... £84 to be exact!

Does anyone know of any compatible alternatives to this tool? Are quick links a good alternative and able to be fitted without a tool etc?

Sorry for the basic questions.

Ber Nard

No need to buy the Campag tool. Any chain tool will break/shorten the chain and then use a KMC Missing Link to join it.

christiandransfield

Thanks for the reply mate. So, the KMC quick links are compatible with Campag chains or just KMC chains?

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781405#p19781405]Ber Nard[/url] wrote:

No need to buy the Campag tool. Any chain tool will break/shorten the chain and then use a KMC Missing Link to join it.

mercia_man

For 10 speed Campag chains you need Campag specific KMC 10 speed quick link. The other type is suitable for KMC, SRAM and Shimano chains. For 11 speed chains, the same KMC 11 speed link is suitable for Campag, SRAM, Shimano and KMC.

trailflow

Are quick links a good alternative and able to be fitted without a tool etc?

+1 for a KMC quick link.

You'll still need a conventional chain tool to shorten the chain.

And a set of quick link pliers will also come in handy if you want to open and close the quick link. Like these that do both
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/bbb-open-link-closing-link-tool-btl77/rp-prod47439

If you havn't already bought the chain. It will work out cheaper to buy a KMC chain that already comes with a quick link.

mercia_man

Quick links fit without a tool. You need to adjust chain to correct length with an ordinary chain tool and fit quick link with your fingers. You then apply pressure with your foot on the pedals and the link will click into place. For chain replacement, just break your chain anywhere with your ordinary chain tool. If you want to re-use your quick link, it can be a struggle to remove a quick link by hand, which is where a special tool helps. Alternatively, you can easily remove a quick link by making it form part of a V on your big chain ring and gently tapping the upper point of the V with a small hammer.

Bobbinogs

The Park Tools Mini-Brute (or something like that) chain splitter works well in the home and yet is light enough to carry on rides (very handy for removing damaged sections of chain). Only costs about £15, if that.

I find the quick link pliers were also a worthwhile investment for home use. Yes, KMC Quick Links can be removed by hand but this can be a bit of faff despite all the little tips on how to do this. Using the pliers it takes 2 seconds, every time, no fuss.

Bear in mind that some removable links are not reusable, so always check.

christiandransfield

Thanks a lot for all your advice regarding a noob problem!

Just to double-check, I've singled out the following KMC chain:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-x10-93-10-speed-chain/

As I've understood it, as it comes with a missing link, I can shorten the chain with a bog-standard (non uber expensive Campag chain tool), then fit it to my bike with the missing link provided, with my hands, or with the BBB pliers suggested by Trailflow.

Is that right? What a performance! I'm not sure why the Campag fitting tool has to be so exorbitantly expensive, but there we go! Shimano etc for the win, next time I buy a bike!

mercia_man

That's right. It's what I do. Buy a KMC chain which comes with a quick link and instructions on fitting. I use KMC on my Campag bikes. They are excellent chains. When you replace the chain save the old quick link and carry it with you as a spare in case of breakage on the road.

christiandransfield

Good shout re keeping the old quick link. Thanks again for the info guys!

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19781683#p19781683]Mercia Man[/url] wrote:

That's right. It's what I do. Buy a KMC chain which comes with a quick link and instructions on fitting. I use KMC on my Campag bikes. They are excellent chains. When you replace the chain save the old quick link and carry it with you as a spare in case of breakage on the road.

mamil314

What others are not telling you about Campagnolo is, if you use 3rd party parts/tools, there is a risk of DEATH.

DeVlaeminck

I'd go with the quicklink anyway so campag or shimano no real difference in that respect but if you wanted to join the chain the traditional way Lezyne do a chain tool that does the rivet peening on a campag 11 chain and Wiggle have it on offer for £16. Never used it but it claims to do the job, is relatively cheap and unless you work in a bike shop how many chains will it have to cope with so I imagine it'll do the job.