Clipped_in

So I'm curious. How many of you have ever actually had need for a chain breaker out on the road? MTB sure, but I've never seen a need while riding a road bike.

I carry a Lezyne minimalist type tool.

chaadster

I'd be interested to know why they consider a chainbreaker an essential road tool as well. I mean, chains don't break anymore, do they? Back in the '80s, sure, but not modern chains.

chaadster

Yep, MTBing in mid '80s I snapped a couple, but I also used to regularly take chains off to clean and lube back then, so I wonder if the failures were due to that? I don't do that anymore.

lineinthewater

Yep, and if you switch bikes (i.e. move your pack from 9 to 10 speed), make sure you include a quick-link for each.

As for whether a chain breaker tool is mandatory .... for me, I don't even want to think about it, so I also carry the Topeak 18. It may be unlikely, but I know my luck. Not to mention, it may allow you to help other cyclists.

merlinextraligh

Never used the chain tool on my single bike. I have used it on the tandem and MTB, and a couple fo times on other people's single bikes.

It's the difference between hobby horsing home, and pedaling.

Ferrous Bueller

Hmm... Can anyone here report of a properly installed, properly lubricated chain failing in a non-tandem road situation in the last 10 years? (personal experience, and not a starting ramp failure like Sanchez in the Olympic TT) I'm genuinely curious about this.

Bike Gremlin

When I ride with friends, if a chain breaks, I look at it. If it's not lubricated well, I just ride on - **** 'em!




I find a piece of mind in being able to fix things that can go wrong on a trip. Most of my friends have learned to rely on this trait as well. If it's a bulky, heavy tool, I might reconsider, but a thing like mini 18 - it's a no-brainer for me. So far, in less than a year, I've used spoke tool on a young lady's bike ("say no more, say no mooore!"), chain tool on a mate's mtb chain (really neglected one), and screws on a number of occasions. I carry mini 18 along with a spare tube, extra tyre levers and patches... and a presta-schraeder adaptor.... and a few handkerchiefs, small adhesive bandage patches. I think that's all. This stays in a small bag benath the seat, even on a road bike.

For a longer trip, extra spokes, extra brake and shifter cable, as well as a few more tools come in handy.

ka0use

i'm not gonna laugh at this. i carry 4 large paperclips in my wallet. i've never seen the mcgyver show (the army cured me of tv watching).

jsharr

Dang, add a Tic Tac mint, a rubber band, a pill bottle and a can of diet Coke™ to that and you could make a nuclear reactor and a working F-16!

ka0use

i have a crank brothers m-5 similar to that. 5 tools covers 99% of my bike. i love it and have never had to use it but once- on a kid's razor type scooter. the whole handlebar shaft came off as he was riding and he got chewed up some. bolted it back on for him.

ka0use

it is uncouth to make dame edna snort! couthiness behooves us all.

banerjek

I always carry a quick link. And there are cases where you might want a chain breaker when no chain has failed. For example, if your RD gets effed up, you can remove it from the equation and just convert to SS. If you manage to damage your chain by picking up debris, you might want to pull out a few links.

I haven't needed to break a chain on the road for many years -- I've only needed to do it myself 3 times in my life. But when you need one, a chainbreaker is awfully handy.

AnthonyMcEwen

I'm over care full...

I have spare tubes, a Top Peak alien three, a pen knife, a 200lumen torch, food and water and a mobile phone, I also on longer rides take spare cloths, but I aintba racer so the weight is not an issue.

bobones

I have had 3 broken links due to side plate cracks with one KMC X10-93 chain on different occasions and the chain breaker on my Hexus II and the quick link I carry saved me a couple of long walks. Pretty sure it was a defective chain because I certainly wasn't laying down any massive watts.

Clipped_in

And one of these to put it all in?

deep_sky

About a month ago a pin worked it's way out (not one that was ever touched in breaking or re-connected the chain) and the chain self-destructed quickly before I realized what was happening. Took out the rear derailleur and the hanger was bent too. I did not have anything to fix a chain, but fortunately I was riding with someone who had a breaker. Now, I carry a proper breaker, 5 pins wrapped in a bit of tape, and an extra quicklink (whatever the 9 speed version is called) in my bag, because I do not want to have to go through that ever again. That was a ****ing epic ride...chain links snapping every mile or so, having to shorten the chain again and again until we could limp to a bike store and buy a new chain so I could get back to the car.

rjones28 

I keep one of these in the seatbag of my MTB.

RT

Laughing alone is sad. It is a thread about tools, not by tools, you tool.

Now that's laugh-worthy.

RT

It takes only once to be sure you have it for the next time. Broken chains almost always occur exactly halfway through a ride.

rjones28 

I keep a Park IB-3 with my road bike.

Ice41000

I carry spare pin, but in a pinch you can use normal pin.

Ice41000

I used it couple times on MTB. I don't remember using it on the road myself, but few times somebody in my group needed it.
Having broken chain far from home really sucks if you can't fix it yourself.

Ice41000

Couple of my friends (experienced riders on well maintained bikes) broke chains on the road in the last few years. I witnessed few more broken chains during group rides or races, but I didn't kow the people.
It happens.

It happens more on MTB, though.

thehammerdog

Wd-40

ThinLine

SKS CT-WORX, multi-tool, Made in Germany........what else needs to be said.
Park is very good also