Simano chain - end pin
#1
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Simano chain - end pin
Hi, my bike has a factory installed chain with the special "end pin". I'd like to break the chain and install a missing link. I'm considering breaking the chain at the "end pin". Now, Shimano's chain instructions say not to break a chain at the end pin.
Do you guys think this can be a problem considering I'll be installing a missing link and not an ordinary pin in its place? My reasoning for doing it is that in this way the chain will only have one link that's different. Or should I just break the chain at a different location?
Do you guys think this can be a problem considering I'll be installing a missing link and not an ordinary pin in its place? My reasoning for doing it is that in this way the chain will only have one link that's different. Or should I just break the chain at a different location?
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Break the chain at "ordinary" pins, not at the special joining pin. The joining pin is slightly oversize so you don't want to use that location for a master link.
#3
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A joining pin is only oversize at the ends, to creat a tight fit with the holes in the outer plates.
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Good point. The outer plates are the ones reamed by the special pin. As to it's being the weakest, I don't think that's true unless it was installed improperly.
#5
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Well, you're wrong. The joining pin relies on an interference fit that is much weaker on the end without the shoulder. The push out resistance provided by the heavily peened ends of the other pins is far greater. It takes far less effort to push a joining pin out, if you push on the end without the shoulder.
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Well, you're wrong. The joining pin relies on an interference fit that is much weaker on the end without the shoulder. The push out resistance provided by the heavily peened ends of the other pins is far greater. It takes far less effort to push a joining pin out, if you push on the end without the shoulder.
To the OP: Go ahead and push out the joining pin to install your master link. It won't damage the chain where it counts and you have removed a potential weak spot.
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Thank you all for the replies. I agree with the reasoning above and I'm inclined to break the chain at the joining pin. My only concern is that since it is a machine installed "end pin" from the factory (and not a regular joining pin that comes with a store bought chain), it may be difficult to remove or is overly large, resulting in a loose fit of the master link over the internal plates.
Last edited by stancho; 12-16-10 at 09:52 AM.
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Thank you all for the replies. I agree with the reasoning above and I'm inclined to break the chain at the joining pin. My only concern is that since it is a machine installed "end pin" from the factory (and not a regular joining pin that comes with a store bought chain), it may be difficult to remove or is overly large, resulting in a loose fit of the master link over the internal plates.
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Just a quick update. Finally got to installing the KMC missing link yesterday. Removed the "end pin" without any problems and gave the chain a good cleaning. It needed it desperately. Now I just hope that the missing link will be durable. It did seem a bit loose upon installation and easily undone by hand. Hopefully a bit of riding will fix that.
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The KMC "missing link" is the same design as:
- Superlink
- SRAM Powerlink/Powerlock
- IRD link
They are all more durable than a manually-installed pin.
I've been using Superlinks and SRAM links for 15 years with no failures.
I just installed a KMC chain & link on the new bike I'm building.
- Superlink
- SRAM Powerlink/Powerlock
- IRD link
They are all more durable than a manually-installed pin.
I've been using Superlinks and SRAM links for 15 years with no failures.
I just installed a KMC chain & link on the new bike I'm building.
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That is how the Missing Links work. They go on easy and come off easy.
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OK, I'll accept that but the instances of chains breaking at the properly installed joining pin are very rare. So, while theoretically it's the "weak link", in practice it appears to be more than adequately strong.
To the OP: Go ahead and push out the joining pin to install your master link. It won't damage the chain where it counts and you have removed a potential weak spot.
To the OP: Go ahead and push out the joining pin to install your master link. It won't damage the chain where it counts and you have removed a potential weak spot.
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