garagedude

How many times can a chain be taken apart ? or how many times can the same pin be reused before it has to be replaced so it doesn't fall out or change position and cause a problem?

Deanster04

Buy one of the appropriate removable links for your chain and you can remove the chain from the bike easily when ever you need to clean or service the bike. Cheap and fast.

garagedude

Thanks for the tip

Philatio

I've read that even once with a regular pin causes permanent damage to the pin. Kind of shears off the mushroomed part of it. So it might hold, but it's definitely weaker.

barba

What kind of chain? The newer Shimano chains need to use a special replacement pin when you brake them. I agree with the master link suggestion. They are much more practical and safe.

HillRider

NEVER. You never reuse a regular pin on any modern (i.e. 8-speed or newer) chain. The pins are rivited at both ends to keep them in place and pushing them out removes the flair and reams the sideplate hole larger. Pushing that same pin back in gives a sure failure point. You must use a specific replacement pin (and never remove that pin) or you can use a master link.

SRAM and Wipperman chains come with master links and the Wipperman link works well with Shimano chains.

DMF 

Yes, IF you get the right size. Last time I checked there were three (!) different Wipperman links for 10-speed chains. Two would fit Shimano 10-speed, but only one well. Which one is which is not entirely clear from the packaging and listing. There are subtle differences in chains, one reason that SRAM never claims that its links are compatible with Shimano chains, even though the usage is common.