Originally Posted by scruggle

It's even smarter to know the basics of chain installation before trying one's hand on a $50 chain. Failing that, one can still be part of the smart kids' crowd by buying a masterlink instead of Rube-Goldberging a pin back in.

All things seem fine until they don't; 'seems fine' isn't a great metric for what I'd put my safety on when there are cheap and easy alternative solutions. Also, a chain doesn't care whether you're commuting or racing. Even in the commuting case I'd just as soon not be late to work or stranded even if I didn't get hurt.