Bicycle Mechanics - best chain tool

was working today on dads bike and the chain tool i had made me almost use a hammer on the chain i was so angry! this is a tool i need to replace obviously.

what do you guys use and what do you recommend?

Oh boy...

There is no "best" anything. No best chain tool, no best lube, no best bike brand...it's all up to individual tastes.

That said, I am fine with the Park, but be prepared to hear a gazillion reasons why I am wrong and another tool is the "best". Just don't buy the least expensive one you can find and you're generally guaranteed a decent quality...although I am wrong on that account too...the WalMart crowd will disagree.

Oh, wait...the "best" chain tool is the free one you find in the street. :D

I have a cheap chain tool. It works. Always. That's what I like about it.

I'm on my 2nd cheap chain tool. I ruined the first one because I didn't know how to "baby it", having no previous CT experience. I expect the 2nd will last just fine for my somewhat limited use.

I like the more expensive Park one...(huge, black/blue, not the small silver one), I had problems with the pins bending on the cheap nonbranded tools...

I got a free cheapo one when I bought my cheapo KMC chain from my LBS

I'm on my 2nd cheap chain tool. I ruined the first one because I didn't know how to "baby it", having no previous CT experience. I expect the 2nd will last just fine for my somewhat limited use.

+1

how about the nashbar shop version?

I came across this chain tool at a garage sale.Cost me $2.I have used the small screw-type tools and this one is way easier to use.I'd definatly recommend it if you have to work on chains.
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s148/thebikeguyCCM/ParkTool-chaintool1.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s148/thebikeguyCCM/ParkTool-chaintool2.jpg

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s148/thebikeguyCCM/ParkTool-chaintool3.jpg

One of the 'best' is the Rolhoff chain tool. It's very expensive.

I have both a Park CT-3 and an el cheapo. Ergonomics and the fact that the pin in the Park can be replaced aside there is really little functional difference between the two.

You got a very good deal thebikeguy. The CT-2 usually costs around $70.

Get the Park CT-3. Its what most shops use and its durable, easy to work with and more than adequate. Its better than the smaller ones because it will give you more leverage to break those pins free.

The mack daddy of chain tools is the Rohloff revolver tool that I received as a gift. Its a great tool and makes working with chains a little bit more enjoyable. But is it worth the additional $100? To a home mechanic, $100 will go a long ways. Shop guys, still $100 will go a long ways buying other tools. But you know, it sure does look good when you have it in your toolbox/toolwall, thats obviously unless the tool grows legs and disappears.

I got a CT-3 from Lickton for about $26.

I have tried cheap chinese ones, (broke 3 in a row), then bought a park ct-5, mini chain brute, which i've been using for about 12 years, and i've never even had to replace the pin pusher, and i use the tool a lot. When I started a bike messenger business, i bought a set of park tools for the shop there. For that I bought a CT-3, The pin broke on that one a few times, but after about the 3rd or 4th one, we had success. From my experience, i'd go with the mini ct-5 because it's small enough and light enough, that you can carry it with you on long rides without noticing the xtra weight, and it's very reliable, and does exactly what is needed.

Used this one twice and it broke. I will buy a Park tool for the next one even though I expect it to see minimal use. This one is a Spin Doctor and I was working on a very rusty chain.

TJ

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/JunpinJackFrost/DSCN4086.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/JunpinJackFrost/DSCN4089.jpg

Used this one twice and it broke. I will buy a Park tool for the next one even though I expect it to see minimal use. This one is a Spin Doctor and I was working on a very rusty chain.

TJ

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/JunpinJackFrost/DSCN4086.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc66/JunpinJackFrost/DSCN4089.jpg

I have one of those and have used it only once , hope i don`t need it again:( .

Walmart, about $3.

Mine's a bit like that, but not broken. Were you pressing the pin in, or out, when it broke?

Pressing out a pin on a very rusted chain.

I like my Wrench Force model. The bigger the chain tool, the better IMO.

Like so many bike tools, I think that once you've used a high quality chain tool, it's hard to go back to using a cheap one again.

I like the replaceable pin and double guides on my Pedro's chain tool. Stopped at a LBS after snapping a chain on a ride, and they had a Pedro's shop tool. It was so much easier to use than the little ones I'd been using before, that I ordered one to thank them for getting me back on the road.

I just use the one that came on my Crank Brothers M19 multi-tool. I've popped maybe 30? links on it and the pointed end is now pretty flat, but it still works fine.

Another + vote for the CT3 (years, no problems)
Another - vote for the Spin Doctor (the pin was crooked)

Pressing out a pin on a very rusted chain.OK, mine's used differently. The bit you broke wouldn't take any load when I'm removing a pin.

Pressing out a pin on a very rusted chain.
Did you have the whole chain inside of that shelf, or does that shelf take a load even if the chain is straddling it?

Now I don't feel so bad about breaking chain tools...I broke the park mini tool...Then I bought another one from the LBS for 10$ like the one photoed that broke. The funny thing is another bike shop was selling the 10$ tool same brand for 30!...

I went and bought another park mini tool and have been more careful with alignment. So far so good.