It was dirty as hell and I took it off with a chain tool to soak it in a degreaser (instead of using a chain cleaning tool like I usually do). It's the first time I take a chain off, I want to be able to do my own bike maintenance but I fail sometimes... it is/was on a Tricross, triple 9-speed, it's the original chain.



After reading Sheldon Brown's site (god bless him) he said that removing a bushing chain is hard to get back on without damaging the side plate which is exactly what I did. I damaged both sides because well I tried both ways out of desperation

Several questions: is it possible at all to do this without special tools (except a regular chain tool, or mine sucks)? Now what can I do to save the chain? If I have to put another link I'll get in the same situation no? Can I avoid it?

The chain has about 2300km on it, should I just get rid of it and buy something like a SRAM power link http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...1208480315543?
or the PC 99 http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1208482925428 ?

Thanks