Chain Advice for Road Bike
 

Just got a new chain for my road bike. Its Argon 18 with Shimano 105 components. as last one broke. So recently changed whole drive train as well, as it was a few years old

New chain, cogs etc. Shimano 105
just been riding about 9 times already on new chain and it broke.

It was odd when i bought the chain it didn't have the log things in it, that u can secure chain by hand., i had to use a chain tool to break it again and shorten chain


So question is advice on a good chain for my road bike please, Shimano 105, 10 speed rear.

What dynamics i am looking for in a chain that i can lock in by hand and not use the chain tool thingy. thanks. i order this last one from MEC. thanks

KMC chains come with a quick link. They are excellent quality. NB: you still have to use a chain tool to get the correct length.

would KMC work find with my shimano parts?

Yep, just buy a KMC/SRAM/whatever chain with the right number of speeds that includes a quick link.

Any of the following, among other possibilities. KMC, SRAM, and Wippermann chains all come with connecting links.

KMC X10.93
SRAM PC-1051
Wippermann 10S0

You can look at manufacturers' web sites for more choices:
10 Speed Archives » KMC Chain
https://www.sram.com/sram/road/component/chains
10-speed - Connex by Wippermann

With a 9 or 10 speed chain, you can't re-use a pin. On the older chains, a pin was pushed out until it was just held by one plate, then pressed back in on the shortened chain. But these newer chains have mushroomed ends on the pins, which break off when pushed out. Pressing in the same pin makes a very weak spot in the chain.

So either use the supplied replacement pin, or use a quick link.

With a quick link, remember that the link will replace one of the outside plates on your existing chain. Just use the chain tool to push out a pin so that both ends have an inside plate.

I really like the Wipperman Connex links. They are extremely easy to install or remove, without tools, and are very reliable. Your local bike store should have them too. My link lasted for 2 or 3 chains before I decided to replace it. It worked great with my Campagnolo 10 speed chain.

http://www.excelsports.com/assets/im...neX%20Link.jpg

Because Now the pins have little or no protrusion above the face of the Outer link plates,

part of getting all those speeds packed into a limited space , the chain can only be shortened .

if too short you need 2 quick links to add any more length.

as you found the pin is insecure if you try to press it back in.. because in addition to the flare of the Pin's rivet head

The link plate, also .. the hole has been stretched to let the pin come out in the 1st place.

All of the manufacturers I know about do not recommend using a link for more than one chain. I follow that advice.

Do yourself a favor and pick up a master link pliers; it's not a necessity but it makes opening up the links a snap. They can sometimes be balky if they are packed with dirt. Park Tool and Pedro's (and doubtless others) have them.

I suspect the OP's chain problem is user error rather than a faulty 105 chain. As mentioned you can't reliably re-connect a chain with the original pin. It's very rare that the metal on a chain actually breaks but fairly common for improperly joined links to come apart. Keep the chain you have and replace the bad link with a re-usable master link. For the price the 105 chain is as good as any.