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A mini-chain breaker or a multi-tool with a (even smaller) chain breaker?

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Old 04-09-13, 11:18 AM
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A mini-chain breaker or a multi-tool with a (even smaller) chain breaker?

So which one do you carry when you ride? Or do you even carry one? I don't carry one but think I should get one. The thing is I am pathetically weak and don't shift under load so I can't imagine ever breaking a chain. In fact, no one I know had ever broken a chain before.
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Old 04-09-13, 11:20 AM
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Well, you better start carrying one cause you just jinxed yourself! ;->

Why do you think you need one?

I don't carry one except when I'm bike touring (multi-day/week) and then I have a little one on a multi-tool.
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Old 04-09-13, 11:21 AM
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Unless you are touring, I wouldn't bother taking one.
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Old 04-09-13, 11:35 AM
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Originally Posted by valygrl
Well, you better start carrying one cause you just jinxed yourself! ;->

Why do you think you need one?

I don't carry one except when I'm bike touring (multi-day/week) and then I have a little one on a multi-tool.
Because I often ride solo exploring the country side. I wouldn't be able to call anyone for a ride back.
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Old 04-09-13, 11:38 AM
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Crank Brothers Multi19


Even has spoke wrenches.
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Old 04-09-13, 11:52 AM
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I prefer a multitool with a chain breaker. I don't need it often, but when I do, I'm glad I have it. I did need it just this past Saturday. Instead of walking, calling for a rescue, or begging for help from a passing cyclist who had one, it was simply a few minutes delay to remove a link.

I have a handful of them, as I don't like moving all my stuff from bike to bike. (I forget things that way)

-Crank Brothers
-Topeak Alien
-Park MTB-3
-Nashbar Woodie
-Performance Rescue 16

Nagrom_ ,
Did that nifty case come with your Crank Bros tool? Mine just has a thick rubber band around it.
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Old 04-09-13, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Yo Spiff
Nagrom_ ,
Did that nifty case come with your Crank Bros tool? Mine just has a thick rubber band around it.
The pictured one isn't mine, but yeah, mine came with a case. Might be a new addition? I've only had it for a few months.
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Old 04-09-13, 12:04 PM
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The difference in weight between a small multi tool with a chain breaker and without is about an ounce. For example a Lezyne Carbon 10 is 80 grams, and a Carbon 5 is 44g. The 10 adds a chain breaker, multiple spoke wrenches, a torx bit, more size allen wrenches, as well as a chain breaker. (And it opens beer bottles)

It's rare to wreck a derailleur or break a chain on single road bike, but it does happen. Having a chain breaker is the difference between riding home SS and walking.

For me it's worth the 36 grams of insurance.
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Old 04-09-13, 12:22 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
The difference in weight between a small multi tool with a chain breaker and without is about an ounce. For example a Lezyne Carbon 10 is 80 grams, and a Carbon 5 is 44g. The 10 adds a chain breaker, multiple spoke wrenches, a torx bit, more size allen wrenches, as well as a chain breaker. (And it opens beer bottles)

It's rare to wreck a derailleur or break a chain on single road bike, but it does happen. Having a chain breaker is the difference between riding home SS and walking.

For me it's worth the 36 grams of insurance.
+1 on a Lezyne. I carry a stainless steel Lezyne that has a chain breaker. I have never broken a chain on a ride in all my years of riding, but I carry the multi-tool chain breaker and a KMC link for the peace of mind.
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Old 04-09-13, 12:26 PM
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I just added this to my bag last week.
https://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Woodsie...Bike+Multitool

$13.28 shipped. One of the cheapest multitools with a chainbreaker I found.
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Old 04-09-13, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
The difference in weight between a small multi tool with a chain breaker and without is about an ounce. For example a Lezyne Carbon 10 is 80 grams, and a Carbon 5 is 44g. The 10 adds a chain breaker, multiple spoke wrenches, a torx bit, more size allen wrenches, as well as a chain breaker. (And it opens beer bottles)

It's rare to wreck a derailleur or break a chain on single road bike, but it does happen. Having a chain breaker is the difference between riding home SS and walking.

For me it's worth the 36 grams of insurance.
I don't worry about weight. Did you ever use or see a need for other tools (beside the 5 and 6 hex) on the multitool?
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Old 04-09-13, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
Crank Brothers Multi19


Even has spoke wrenches.
+1.

I actually use its chain breaker at home instead of the POS stand-alone chain breaker that i have. Very good quality tool.
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Old 04-09-13, 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by valygrl
Well, you better start carrying one cause you just jinxed yourself! ;->

Why do you think you need one?

I don't carry one except when I'm bike touring (multi-day/week) and then I have a little one on a multi-tool.
I agree. I use this one:

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Old 04-09-13, 05:00 PM
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I carry two tube boxes, one with a tube in it, one with other stuff, including a chain breaker. I carry a KMC Missing Link so I know that the chain will be 100% after it's reattached (albeit shorter). This way any cheap chain breaker will work.

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Old 04-09-13, 05:15 PM
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Two weekends ago I needed one and didn't have one. Now I have one.
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Old 04-09-13, 05:31 PM
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Ever since my chain blew up (ended up bending the inner plate on the RD and making it impossible to tune properly, and nuked the hanger too), I carry a proper chain tool, a quicklink, and 5 pins. Better to have and not need, than need and not have.
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Old 04-09-13, 08:17 PM
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I broke my chain on my last ride; luckily I was only two miles from the finish. I will definitely be picking up a chain tool for my next ride as I generally ride in the middle of nowhere and cellphone coverage can be iffy.

But in two weeks my mechanic gets out of jail and can resume SAG duties.
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Old 04-09-13, 09:29 PM
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Tool selection is a very personal thing. I carry the Park MTB3 mini tool which includes a chain tool. The chain tool works to, I used it on a kid's bike on the path today when he broke his chain, I removed one link and rejoined the chain and the rear wheel went back on with no problem...though it was a good thing another person in car had an adjustable wrench because none of the wrenches in the MTB3 were large enough to remove the large nuts on the hub. Anyway because of two strangers the kid rode his bike home. So yes the mini tool's chain tool does work.
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Old 04-09-13, 10:20 PM
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This Topeak Super Chain Tool has saved my butt from walking home twice. It's nice that it comes with the 2-sized allen wrench as handle.
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Old 04-09-13, 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
Crank Brothers Multi19
Even has spoke wrenches.
+1
Chain tool and spoke wrench work great. The hex keys are a bit short but get the job done.
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Old 04-09-13, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by f4rrest
This Topeak Super Chain Tool has saved my butt from walking home twice. It's nice that it comes with the 2-sized allen wrench as handle.

LIKE.

I really don't like chain tools that are part of a multi-tool. They are impossible to use and don't offer any real leverage in most cases. I want a stand alone chain tool or at least one apart from my multi-tool.
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Old 04-09-13, 10:50 PM
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Originally Posted by f4rrest
This Topeak Super Chain Tool has saved my butt from walking home twice. It's nice that it comes with the 2-sized allen wrench as handle.
I just got one of those plus I pack a small multitool. I think it's easier to pack in a saddle bag when you break them up into two pieces.
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Old 04-10-13, 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Dunbar
I just got one of those plus I pack a small multitool. I think it's easier to pack in a saddle bag when you break them up into two pieces.
It's small enought that it actually fits up under the seat between the seat rails without a seatbag. I hold it and a spare tube in place with velcro. You almost can't even see it.
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Old 04-10-13, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by hyhuu
I don't worry about weight. Did you ever use or see a need for other tools (beside the 5 and 6 hex) on the multitool?
Yes. 4 mm for a lot of bolts on a bike. 8mm for crank bolts. Phillips head for limit adjustment. Spoke wrench to true a wheel. Chain tool for impromptu single speed conversion. (and to open beer bottles). Torx bit for the stem bolts on my stem.
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Old 04-10-13, 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina
LIKE.

I really don't like chain tools that are part of a multi-tool. They are impossible to use and don't offer any real leverage in most cases. I want a stand alone chain tool or at least one apart from my multi-tool.
The chain tool on the Lezyne multi tool works acceptably. It does take a bit of hand strength.
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