canklecat

Yup, both my Hero Kit multitool and Spin Doctor Rescue 16 have chain tools. Needed 'em a couple of times on group rides when friends' chains popped apart. I carry spare quick links too.

The Spin Doctor Rescue 16 chain tool is as good as my standalone shop chain tool. And the handle/screw doodad is also a very handy spoke wrench.

Lazyass

My Crank Bros M17 has a chain breaker. I run tubulars and carry a small 2oz bottle of Stan's for punctures. The chain breaker fits the valve core so I can remove it to squirt the sealant in. Had to do that once and it saved me time by not having to swap on my spare tire.

About 3 years ago I was riding an '86 Schwinn Le Tour I had just restored. The old freewheel locked up for a split second and threw the chain off so bad that it ripped the RD off and twisted the hanger beyond repair. I cut the chain and set it up as a single speed to limp 15 miles home. It was an early Saturday morning out in the country in the middle of nowhere so I would have been screwed without it.

I also reused a Shimano chain pin like you're not supposed to do. It came apart on a ride but luckily I had a spare pin in my saddle bag. The chain breaker once again kept me from being stranded.

downhillmaster

I used to carry a chain tool and a whole assortment of other tools and spare parts but I still never felt secure enough so now I simply carry a second bike(Dahon folder)in my backpack.
It saves me the shame of having to phone a friend or family member once every 16 years or so when a chain breaks

shelbyfv

Yep, breaking the chain would not be my choice. The traditional fix is to position the derailleur under the cog you want, then secure the tensioned cable under a bottle cage bolt.

sovende

I don’t have one in every under saddle bag but I do have two “Gerber CoolTools” (the one with an adjustable wrench, hex keys, socket wrenches AND integral chain tool). They don’t seem to be in current production but saw a few on EBay. I’ll concede that the need for a chain tool is pretty unlikely and even tho I have the capability, if I have a chain issue, I’m much more likely to reach for my cell phone!

rsbob 

Only when i had a tandem. Never needed one on the road in 40 years. Used to carry a spoke truing tool for many years but have given that up too.

pdlamb

I needed it one time on the road. I was lucky; the multitool I had in my seat bag at the time included a chain tool.

Then I figured out the cause of that problem was a gunked-up chain. I started taking better care of my chains, and stopped caring if the multitool had a chain tool.

DomaneS5

No chain tool here. I've had several flats but never had a chain break on any of my bikes... mountain, road or gravel. If a chain ever breaks... I'll buy a new one.

rydabent

Of course I do. There is one included in my multi tool. It is only used to get rid of a busted link, to put in a master link I carry at all times.

10 Wheels

I do.
Never needed it.
But loaned it to friend one ride.

RChung

Been there, done that. About 20 years ago a vicious stick jumped up from the road, attacked, and ripped off my RD. I pulled out my late lamented Ritchey CPR-9 (see below), shortened the chain to a single-speed, and rode 12 miles back home. I lost that tool when my bike (with seat bag) was stolen about 5 years ago. About a year after that, I was out riding with a buddy when *he* was attacked by a vicious stick. Maybe it was the same stick. We didn't have a chain tool and his wife was out of town so he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and ordered an Uber. I rode home.

MNebiker

You guys will all love this . . . .

While climbing one of the longer hills on the local bike trail this morning I snapped the chain. Pulled into the shade, got out my 35 yr-old chain tool, cut out a couple links and rode home. Earlier in the ride the rear der hung and shifted rough a couple times - I figured it was time to put it up on the stand when I got home and give it a good cleaning. Must have been the link starting to separate. I'm ordering a new KMC chain today.

But it does prove that carrying the tools does not magically prevent the problem.

woodcraft

IKR, I would hate to lose mine.

One disconnected from a Crank Bros tool is only about 10g more, 'tho...

It depends on the type of riding being done, but these days folks are getting off the pavement more, & the odds of vicious stick encounters goes up.

cyccommute 

I have a purple one. PM me and it’s yours.

PeteHski

I think you missed the point here, lol. If your chain ever does break while out on a ride, unless you are lucky enough to be right next to a bike shop, you will be walking back.

RChung

Thanks. You should hold on to it--it's a classic. Purple is cool.

tkamd73 

Nope, I consider that a shop tool. Haven’t had a chain issue in 60 years of riding. Then again, my largest rear cluster is a 7 speed, and chains made for 7 or less gears are pretty robust.
Tim

rsbob 

Not if you have a mobile phone/reception, a friend and/ or a AAA card.

(Exclusions apply: Mountain and Gravel riders may not be covered unless near access roads, so they should carry a full tool kit. Batteries not included, not available in all areas, limit one per customer, definite statements are basically poop <- just like that one).

philbob57

Sure. In 1980, my chain broke and all I needed was a tool to go on. Instead, because I only had dollar bills and wasn't near a bike store, and because I didn't have a lock with me (and didn't want to lock my new-to-me bike anyway,I had to beg some change from a passer-by, walk my bike until I found a pay phone, and call my wife for a ride home. Wasted most of a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

I have the space to carry a chain tool, and I probably lose more weight on rides than the tool itself weighs, so why not?

Gresp15C

A benefit of being old is that I know what's likely to happen when I'm on a ride. Including the things I'm not strong enough to break.

No chain tool. I do bring a few more tools when it's a family group ride, because then the likelihood of a mechanical is multiplied by the number of bikes.

An old Cyclo Rivoli isn't that much to carry.

PeteHski

Yeah I always make sure my friends are available to pick me up whenever I go riding. Or alternatively I just carry a tiny multi-tool that happens to include a chain tool. They also come in handy at home for shortening new chains etc. I wouldn't bother with a standalone chain tool as I don't use them often enough. The one on my Topeak multi-tool is pretty effective anyway. I wouldn't say it's an essential riding item, but it's a no-brainer to buy a multi-tool that includes one.

wolfchild

I would much rather carry a chain tool and fix a broken chain then rely on my cell phone to call somebody to pick me up. It feels good to be self sufficient.

PeteHski

+1
I would just feel like an ******* having to call someone to pick me up because I couldn't be bothered to carry some very simple tools. For me the bare minimum to avoid the call of shame is a compact multi-tool, chain quick-link, valve core, tube & pump.

shelbyfv

There was a nutty thread awhile back where the poster insisted he didn't need to learn to fix a flat because he could call a family member! He felt no shame, doubled down on his position.FWIW, someone broke a chain on our club ride yesterday. Another rider had a chain tool and quick link, saved her bacon. Also saved other riders from abandoning their rides since they would not have left her alone in back of beyond.

gecho

I carry a chain tool. I've let other people use it but have never needed to use it myself on a ride. When my chains have decided to break it has always been at a quick link.