Originally Posted by
hamster
I popped out two pins using the chain tool, took one of the pins and tried to push it back in. I need to hold the chain sideways, balance the pin on top of the hole...I can't imagine doing this at the side of the road in the event of a malfunction. More to the point, I can't imagine a mechanic doing this in a bike shop.
I have a SRAM 10-speed chain and I can buy new "master links" which cost $16 for a 4-pack on Amazon (which is unreasonable since I can get a brand new chain for $27).
Neither a mechanic nor someone who had looked at instructions for chain replacement would do that. I would suggest that the next time you do a procedure that you look it up first. Other than that the advice you need has been posted.
As for the cost of master links, you just wasted 30 minutes of your time for lack of a master link - what is that worth? Of course you're welcome to look for a cheaper source for the master links or just ride a chain until you replace it, but your concern about the cost of something in that price range, that is used once or twice a year, seems misplaced.