Bargain buy: chain tool
05-29-21, 04:11 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 219
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
51 Posts
Bargain buy: chain tool
Impulse buy from Ali Express...
Funny, because usually I never consider junk tools....
I never 'bet' more than I can afford to lose without whining.
Hopefully I can save somebody from making the same bargain hunting error.
This tool is definitely in the 'what were they thinking' category. You might assume that there'd be a steel cross pin inside that plastic handle.
It didn't survive its first encounter with the rivet in a Shimano chain.
And, I don't have superhuman strength either!!
The bent pin is the 'spare' .
The Park Tool CT 3.3 is ordered and on its way.
I still have my 30+ (?) year old 'Cyclo Gear Rivoli' from Crown Works Birmingham UK so I got that Shimano chain shortened OK.
Funny, because usually I never consider junk tools....
I never 'bet' more than I can afford to lose without whining.
Hopefully I can save somebody from making the same bargain hunting error.
This tool is definitely in the 'what were they thinking' category. You might assume that there'd be a steel cross pin inside that plastic handle.
It didn't survive its first encounter with the rivet in a Shimano chain.
And, I don't have superhuman strength either!!
The bent pin is the 'spare' .
The Park Tool CT 3.3 is ordered and on its way.
I still have my 30+ (?) year old 'Cyclo Gear Rivoli' from Crown Works Birmingham UK so I got that Shimano chain shortened OK.
Likes For VicBC_Biker:
05-29-21, 04:54 PM
#2
Expired Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,505
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3654 Post(s)
Liked 5,392 Times
in
2,737 Posts
Tool Shaped Object. Looks like a great source for a disc brake set up as someone here is contemplating....
Likes For shelbyfv:
05-29-21, 06:23 PM
#3
Full Member
I had a similar looking one (bought from a serious seller tough but marked „budget“). There the pin just bent instead of pushing the chain pin out.
05-29-21, 07:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times
in
741 Posts
This is definitely an illustration of the adage "only a rich man can afford cheap tools". I had a Park CT-3.2 that finally broke after 30 years. Park replaced it with a brand new CT-3.3 at no cost.
Likes For HillRider:
05-29-21, 08:42 PM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 219
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
51 Posts
Can't beat that for support.
How did you break it?
Park don't replace broken pins, though. "Operator error". And don't provide a spare pin with the $60 CAD tool.
05-30-21, 09:20 AM
#6
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,949
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6177 Post(s)
Liked 4,794 Times
in
3,306 Posts
I still use a hammer and punch. Multi purpose instead of a uni-tasker as Alton Brown would dislike. <grin>
Likes For VicBC_Biker:
05-30-21, 11:13 AM
#8
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,949
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6177 Post(s)
Liked 4,794 Times
in
3,306 Posts
Before the block of steel, I used to just lay the bike on it's side and hammer the pin into a thick nut with a small hole.... on the same steel plate that it took many years to ask myself "why not just drill a hole in the plate!" <grin>
However those days might be gone for anything other than new chains that need sizing. And that can be done off the bike. Shimano and KMC both supply quick links for use once sized.
05-30-21, 11:20 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 219
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 111 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
51 Posts
For the last 10 years I back it up with a roughly 3.5" x 6" block of 1" thick steel with a hole drilled in it to let the pin go into. It's easier to lay the bike on it's side and shore the steel piece under the chain with scrap wood or other pieces of steel. But I have on several occasions held the backer block and the punch with one hand and the hammer in the other hand while the bike was upright.
Before the block of steel, I used to just lay the bike on it's side and hammer the pin into a thick nut with a small hole.... on the same steel plate that it took many years to ask myself "why not just drill a hole in the plate!" <grin>
However those days might be gone for anything other than new chains that need sizing. And that can be done off the bike. Shimano and KMC both supply quick links for use once sized.
Before the block of steel, I used to just lay the bike on it's side and hammer the pin into a thick nut with a small hole.... on the same steel plate that it took many years to ask myself "why not just drill a hole in the plate!" <grin>
However those days might be gone for anything other than new chains that need sizing. And that can be done off the bike. Shimano and KMC both supply quick links for use once sized.
I have some quick links, and they do make things a lot easier once the chain is sized.
How often do chains break on a ride? Do I need to keep carrying the chain tool (and quick links) in my seat bag?
