Originally Posted by
Reynolds
That may be true in theory, but not necessarily in practice. I've reused pins in 7/8sp chains for years, never had any problems. Didn't dare to do it on 9/10/11 Shimano/Sram though, but did it many times on Campagnolo 9sp, which doesn't have replacement pins
AFAIK.
it's not a theory.
as to the person that thinks 6-7-8 sp. chain isn't peened... press a pin out... notice how at first it was more difficult to move? that is a slight peening, just not as much as whatever chain you called "peened".... and yes, i realize that the outer plate holes are drilled to a tighter tolerance than the rollers.... the pins are straight gauge, btw.... except for that peening of the ends we're discussing...
PS... i reused pins in lesser chains for kiddy bikes... i press them out to the point where they are no longer engaged to the inner link, then i can feel when the PEENED END reaches the outer plate.... try it... makes reuse much easier since the pin remains in the outer plate.... a high quality chain breaker is needed, or the change in pressure required may be masked by the cheap threads of the cheap breaker tool....
sidenote: i had a freshly installed chain fail on a customer this summer... it was a brand new chain... the peening was insufficient... i notified the seller... they said they hadn't had any others fail, but replaced it under man. warranty... last time i talked to that seller, two more identical chains had also failed... the problem arose during manufacture... machines are not perfect, you know! the chain brand is well known.... i'm sure the offending machine got readjusted promptly.
all it takes is one pin to move a few thousandths of an inch in an outer plate... the bruising can take months to heal... in a sprint, the cuts can leave permanent scars, eh? wanna see my shins? the left one is heavily decorated!