Good chain breaker tool to recommend?
#1
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Good chain breaker tool to recommend?
Am currently using this and its totally not giving me the leverage to break the pin.. The whole chain just becomes bent in one way. Thankfully its just a broken part of my chain that I am currently using to practice on how to cut it.
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i just use the even smaller parktool one with the triangular handle , carry it in my flat kit nice and compact , but you could try the longer blue handled one !
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If you need more leverage
and don't mind spending a few bucks, I recommend the Birzman Damselfly Universal chain tool. Very precise, good solid tool.
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I highly recommend this kit
https://www.amazon.com/Oumers-Splitt...7175314&sr=8-2
Although if you are having no success with the tool you picture you may need a more substantial shop tool.
Odd you should have so much trouble. I had a chain tool like yours for 30+ years that I loved. If finally broke one of the tabs.
https://www.amazon.com/Oumers-Splitt...7175314&sr=8-2
Although if you are having no success with the tool you picture you may need a more substantial shop tool.
Odd you should have so much trouble. I had a chain tool like yours for 30+ years that I loved. If finally broke one of the tabs.
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Big +1 on Birzman Damselfly. It is an excellent tool yielding nearly effortless operation. From the Park Tool chain breakers, the small triangular one was absolutely awful, practically unusable as far as I am concerned. The OP's bigger one was OK, but it eventually broke also for me, in some manner where I could not resurrect it - I can't remember the details.
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Nothing a good old bolt cutter can't fix.
all jokes aside, see if you have a master link on your chain. I avoided using them on my previous bike because it literally just failed and caused the chain to fall off while I was riding, but it has proven itself to be wildly handy on my current ride.
helps save you the trouble of replacing pins on that chain breaker tool.
all jokes aside, see if you have a master link on your chain. I avoided using them on my previous bike because it literally just failed and caused the chain to fall off while I was riding, but it has proven itself to be wildly handy on my current ride.
helps save you the trouble of replacing pins on that chain breaker tool.
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I'd venture to say that any chain tool would work as long as the tool pin is of the correct diameter and in use it is aligned with the chain pin. Some of the cheaper tools may need a bit of fettling though.
I use a Park CT 3.2 at home and carry a Park CT-5 mini on my rides. Both work great. I also have a 40 year old Cyclo chain tool that works fine for 5-6-7 speed chains.
I use a Park CT 3.2 at home and carry a Park CT-5 mini on my rides. Both work great. I also have a 40 year old Cyclo chain tool that works fine for 5-6-7 speed chains.
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Maybe you should try spraying some wd40 ornpenetrsting fluid on the linkxyou are attempting to break.
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Are you sure you're using the tool properly? For pressing out the pin the link should be in the slot against the end on the right side (as seen in your photos) and make sure the tool pin is centered on the chain pin. I also have one of the old Cyclo chain tools mentioned by Moe Zhoost which is not one of the easiest to use but still breaks all the chains I've tried up to 10sp.
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I'd venture to say that any chain tool would work as long as the tool pin is of the correct diameter and in use it is aligned with the chain pin. Some of the cheaper tools may need a bit of fettling though.
I use a Park CT 3.2 at home and carry a Park CT-5 mini on my rides. Both work great. I also have a 40 year old Cyclo chain tool that works fine for 5-6-7 speed chains.
I use a Park CT 3.2 at home and carry a Park CT-5 mini on my rides. Both work great. I also have a 40 year old Cyclo chain tool that works fine for 5-6-7 speed chains.
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Nothing a good old bolt cutter can't fix.
all jokes aside, see if you have a master link on your chain. I avoided using them on my previous bike because it literally just failed and caused the chain to fall off while I was riding, but it has proven itself to be wildly handy on my current ride.
helps save you the trouble of replacing pins on that chain breaker tool.
all jokes aside, see if you have a master link on your chain. I avoided using them on my previous bike because it literally just failed and caused the chain to fall off while I was riding, but it has proven itself to be wildly handy on my current ride.
helps save you the trouble of replacing pins on that chain breaker tool.
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I use the Park tool small version, triangle shaped. As mentioned above
Works perfect. No issues.
If I was doing this every day, I might get a larger one the bike shop uses.
Bu for occasional use ........the small one is perfect
Works perfect. No issues.
If I was doing this every day, I might get a larger one the bike shop uses.
Bu for occasional use ........the small one is perfect
#13
Really Old Senior Member
What "speed" chain are you trying to break?
I've used a similar tool for up to 9 speed. I don't know if 11 uses smaller pins???
I push the pin in multiple steps.
Push a bit, back off and realign. Repeat.....
It also helps to grease the threads.
I destroyed my 1st one in 2 chains, trying to push the pin all the way in 1 try. I still have the 2nd one I bought, although the threads have worn to "sloppy"
Since upgraded to the larger PARK.
I've used a similar tool for up to 9 speed. I don't know if 11 uses smaller pins???
I push the pin in multiple steps.
Push a bit, back off and realign. Repeat.....
It also helps to grease the threads.
I destroyed my 1st one in 2 chains, trying to push the pin all the way in 1 try. I still have the 2nd one I bought, although the threads have worn to "sloppy"
Since upgraded to the larger PARK.
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
What "speed" chain are you trying to break?
I've used a similar tool for up to 9 speed. I don't know if 11 uses smaller pins???
I push the pin in multiple steps.
Push a bit, back off and realign. Repeat.....
It also helps to grease the threads.
I destroyed my 1st one in 2 chains, trying to push the pin all the way in 1 try. I still have the 2nd one I bought, although the threads have worn to "sloppy"
Since upgraded to the larger PARK.
I've used a similar tool for up to 9 speed. I don't know if 11 uses smaller pins???
I push the pin in multiple steps.
Push a bit, back off and realign. Repeat.....
It also helps to grease the threads.
I destroyed my 1st one in 2 chains, trying to push the pin all the way in 1 try. I still have the 2nd one I bought, although the threads have worn to "sloppy"
Since upgraded to the larger PARK.
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Still underscoring an absolute hate of CT-5, cutting my hands and tilting allover, the portable one that I find reasonable is Park CT-6.
#16
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I have a Hozan C-371 tool and used it for a few years and like it a lot because it works on every chain that I have. They aren't cheap but they work better than any other chain tool I've ever owned.
https://www.hozan.co.jp/cycle_e/cata...ain/C-371.html
https://www.hozan.co.jp/cycle_e/cata...ain/C-371.html
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What I have found with some inexpensive tools is that the tip of the push pin tends to mushroom over time. A bit of work with a file or grinding wheel to get the tip back to normal is all they need. Smiles, MH
#18
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I am a big fan of the Abbey Decade chain tool especially for the more modern stuff. It ain't cheap but you hold it in the hand you know you have a nice tool in your hand. (that's what she said)
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The Park CT 3.2 may have been a luxury to buy, but it's been worth it.
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I’ve used the Damsel Fly as well as the Park CT-3.3. Both work well. For some reason, one person at my co-op preferred the Park CT-5 and specified that they would be the ones we use. Since he died that has been set in stone and we are stuck with the worst chain tool available.
However, if you want the coolest chain tool ever made, look for a Topeak Droid. It works well as a chain tool. But it looks like no other chain tool.
However, if you want the coolest chain tool ever made, look for a Topeak Droid. It works well as a chain tool. But it looks like no other chain tool.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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I used to have a small inexpensive tool like the OP has, and it worked fine on older chains with straight pins, but it was not very useful on chains with mushroomed pins (like some of KMC's chains). I would have to increase leverage over my small chain tool's handle with a small cheater bar and I ended up bending the handle/lever. A Park Tool CT-3.2 fixed that problem for good.