Bicycle Mechanics - Do all modern shimano chains need the special pins

I have a relatively new bike, and have been wanting to pop off the chain to give it a thorough cleaning. I have read about the special pins you need for shimano chains, but how can I tell if I actually need that on my chain?

On my old old mtn bike I used to take the chain off all the time to clean and never used any special pins. My new bike is my first new bike purchase in 14 years so I am a bit behind the times these days with some of the new tech.

Thanks

Dan

Yes, current Shimano chains have to be reinstalled with a special replacement pin and these pins are specific to and different for 7/8-speed, 9-speed and 10-speed chains. Pushing the original pin back in is an open invitation to chain failure.

An alternative is a SRAM or Wipperman master link in the matching width.

Yes, current Shimano chains have to be reinstalled with a special replacement pin and these pins are specific to and different for 7/8-speed, 9-speed and 10-speed chains. Pushing the original pin back in is an open invitation to chain failure.

An alternative is a SRAM or Wipperman master link in the matching width.

...I've never used a replacement pin for a 7/8 speed chain. I hope that's not a mistake, but I've never had a problem with it.

...I've never used a replacement pin for a 7/8 speed chain. I hope that's not a mistake, but I've never had a problem with it.

The plates in 9 and 10 speed chains got so thin that they easily crack.

...I've never used a replacement pin for a 7/8 speed chain. I hope that's not a mistake, but I've never had a problem with it.
I classified them as 7/8-speed chains but Shimano referrs to them as 8-speed. Typical models are HG70. HG90, IG90, et. al. These definitely come with a specific installation and reinstallation pins and explicit instructions on how to use them and the necessity for using them if the chain is taken apart.

If you have been using these chains and just pushing the same pin back in after separating them, you've been lucky not to have had a failure.

Based on my experiences with Shimano chains in the past, I'd say using Shimano chains is an invitation to failure, period. And some of those failures were at the points where they'd been fastened together with the special pins. So I say the heck with Shimano's wimpy chains and Crazy Pins™, I'm using SRAM chains forevar. :D

Granted, I have a long conviction record of Crimes Against Bicycle Chains, such as power-shifting and cross-chaining. :)

I stopped using Shimano chains years ago because of these special pins you need to have around....

IRD makes excellent chains (with master links), too.

No reason to use Shimanos 7/8 speed chain when you can get an Sram pc-48 7/8 for $8 with a masterlink.

Again, as was noted in the first post, you can buy masterlinks from other manufacturers (SRAM, Wipperman, etc.) and use them on Shimano chains. Make sure you match 9-speed with 9-speed, etc.