Chain. Pin or quicklink
06-22-22, 06:53 PM
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Chain. Pin or quicklink
When installing a chain, which is stronger: Pressing the pin with a chain tool or a quick link?
I had a chain break on me twice and I'm not sure if it was due to luck or my press in pin was a weak point.
I had a chain break on me twice and I'm not sure if it was due to luck or my press in pin was a weak point.
06-22-22, 07:23 PM
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Depending on how many speeds your chain was designed for can have an effect as the fewer the speeds the easier it is to install the pin correctly and pins will usually be considered stronger as long as they are installed correctly but more opportunity for error. Current Quick Links of most brands are very reliable and easy to install correctly with not much chance of screwing it up but still gets done wrong occaisionally. .
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06-22-22, 07:52 PM
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9 speed.
I had recently checked it for chain stretch, and it was still well within limits even though it has thousands of miles on it.
Getting a new chain (2 breaks is enough) and cassette too.
I had recently checked it for chain stretch, and it was still well within limits even though it has thousands of miles on it.
Getting a new chain (2 breaks is enough) and cassette too.
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06-22-22, 08:27 PM
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...quick links seem to work pretty well for me. Not sure what you mean by a "press in pin" ? The newer chain pins are often peened, so when you press one in and out again, it enlarges the plate hole and can lead to failure. I know Shimano had those press in and break off pins, but you're not supposed to break the chain in the same place twice, for this same reason. I stopped using Shimano chains for this reason, so I'm not up on what they sell now.
...quick links seem to work pretty well for me. Not sure what you mean by a "press in pin" ? The newer chain pins are often peened, so when you press one in and out again, it enlarges the plate hole and can lead to failure. I know Shimano had those press in and break off pins, but you're not supposed to break the chain in the same place twice, for this same reason. I stopped using Shimano chains for this reason, so I'm not up on what they sell now.
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06-22-22, 08:53 PM
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I'm with 3alarmer, I now only use chains with the quick-link, KMC and SRAM. It is practically idiot proof, and I should know. 
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06-22-22, 09:36 PM
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Probably either or. I really am not picky but yes a quick-link is a lot easier. Though I have put in plenty of pins over time and I don't really mind it at all but yes 3alarmer makes a decent point though I haven't had that problem yet.
06-22-22, 11:38 PM
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As mentioned above, modern chains have pins that are peened; the ends are flared out.
It is impossible to pushed a larger diameter pin end through a smaller diameter chain side plate without reducing the flare.
Re-using that same pin will result in a weak spot in the chain and probably be susceptible to lateral forces from a poor shift.
In my mind a quick link will always be stronger.
John
It is impossible to pushed a larger diameter pin end through a smaller diameter chain side plate without reducing the flare.
Re-using that same pin will result in a weak spot in the chain and probably be susceptible to lateral forces from a poor shift.
In my mind a quick link will always be stronger.
John
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06-23-22, 12:13 AM
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...quick links seem to work pretty well for me. Not sure what you mean by a "press in pin" ? The newer chain pins are often peened, so when you press one in and out again, it enlarges the plate hole and can lead to failure. I know Shimano had those press in and break off pins, but you're not supposed to break the chain in the same place twice, for this same reason. I stopped using Shimano chains for this reason, so I'm not up on what they sell now.
...quick links seem to work pretty well for me. Not sure what you mean by a "press in pin" ? The newer chain pins are often peened, so when you press one in and out again, it enlarges the plate hole and can lead to failure. I know Shimano had those press in and break off pins, but you're not supposed to break the chain in the same place twice, for this same reason. I stopped using Shimano chains for this reason, so I'm not up on what they sell now.
06-23-22, 03:05 AM
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The quality of the tool has a lot to do with the success.
We will reuse the pin for single speed or 5/6/7/8 speed chain of non-peened rivets.
If it had peened rivets, we will use a quick-link or missing link connector.
Cheap chain tools don't keep the chain in a correct position for re-pinning.
We will reuse the pin for single speed or 5/6/7/8 speed chain of non-peened rivets.
If it had peened rivets, we will use a quick-link or missing link connector.
Cheap chain tools don't keep the chain in a correct position for re-pinning.
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06-24-22, 06:57 PM
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"Peened" rivets (aka pins) are flared at the ends to make a strong connection in thin chains like 9-speed and above. Pushing them out breaks off the flair and reams out the hole in the side plates leaving a weak connection at that point if that pin is reused. A proper connection requires a quick link or a specific joining pin like Shimano provides. I do like quick links but have had no problems with Shimano's specific joining pins when used once as specified.
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06-25-22, 02:16 AM
#12
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On older chains for 5/6/7 you could push the pin out fairly easily with the tool. With the new chains you have a hard time getting the pins out and it takes a good deal of force to get them out because they are flared as everyone here is saying. Shimano has one way of attaching chains, Campy has another, but I use KMC chains now with the master link which is so much easier.
Last edited by zacster; 06-25-22 at 02:27 AM.
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06-25-22, 04:21 AM
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06-25-22, 08:17 AM
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"Peened" rivets (aka pins) are flared at the ends to make a strong connection in thin chains like 9-speed and above. Pushing them out breaks off the flair and reams out the hole in the side plates leaving a weak connection at that point if that pin is reused. A proper connection requires a quick link or a specific joining pin like Shimano provides. I do like quick links but have had no problems with Shimano's specific joining pins when used once as specified.
On older chains for 5/6/7 you could push the pin out fairly easily with the tool. With the new chains you have a hard time getting the pins out and it takes a good deal of force to get them out because they are flared as everyone here is saying. Shimano has one way of attaching chains, Campy has another, but I use KMC chains now with the master link which is so much easier.
So how do I identify a peened rivet chain?
Is it solid? hollow?
06-25-22, 08:33 AM
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But, frankly, using a quick link on any chain is just easier. It’s simple, works well, is strong, and doesn’t require all the fiddling of pushing a pin back in.
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06-25-22, 08:40 AM
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New Shimano and Campy chains are designed to use a special pin, KMC chains are designed to use a quick link, I believe SRAM is too. I don't know about any other, nor does this apply to old style chains. I remember the first 9sp chain I installed and thinking, "what a PITA this is".
06-25-22, 09:37 AM
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New Shimano and Campy chains are designed to use a special pin, KMC chains are designed to use a quick link, I believe SRAM is too. I don't know about any other, nor does this apply to old style chains. I remember the first 9sp chain I installed and thinking, "what a PITA this is".
https://www.campagnolo.com/US/en/Sup...onnecting_link
06-25-22, 11:59 AM
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It makes me feel old that 10sp is an old technology now.
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06-28-22, 07:43 AM
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If you don't want to use a tool with your quick link, I can recommend Connex Quick Links. Ingenious design.
06-29-22, 05:28 PM
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If you don't want to use a tool with your quick link, I can recommend Connex Quick Links. Ingenious design.
06-29-22, 06:16 PM
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