Originally Posted by
HillRider
Are "tight links" still the problem they onece were? These days a loosening shelf, if used too much, is an invitation to chain failure. The CT-4.2 is intended strictly for 9-speed and later chains and these are always joined with a special pin or a master link.
I've connected Shimano chains from 8-speed through 10-speed using their supplied joining pin and never had a tight link when the chain was connected.
Sometimes.
I haven't had any problems with 10 speed shimano pins. 9 speed pins always gives me problems. And OEM shimano 10 speed chains with preinstalled installation pins. My biggest beef is that the tool is slower to use. Not a good candidate for shop use. The CT-3 when used properly, is much faster. Loosening shelf again, is safe when used properly. I've never had a single one of my bikes come back for chain pin installation failure.
I still use the CT-3 on a daily basis.