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Master Link On The Road Without Tool

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Old 05-28-18 | 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by SylvainG
Beside not knowing why someone would remove a master link beside to clean or replace a chain, which is done usually at home, how do one replace a broken link by a master link without a chain breaker since master link requires both ends to be inner links anyway...
That's a good question.
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Old 05-28-18 | 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
Yup, the master link needs to be on the top run of chain for the pedal to exert enough pressure to snap it shut.

Also be sure it's the right size Missing Link for the chain. KMC makes two sizes -- 7.1mm and 7.3mm -- very slightly different, but they aren't interchangeable. (Can't check other details right now because KMC's website appears to have been hijacked. Again. Probably a temporary thing over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Seems like some unsecured websites get hijacked often by spammers and scammers.)

FWIW I just use pliers or heavy duty surgical clamps to open Missing Links at home. I carry a spare on the road but don't carry a tool. I figure if I need the replacement Missing Link the old one has already popped open and gotten lost, so I don't need the tool. But after a Missing Link has been reused a few times it opens fairly easily without a special tool. And the Missing Link seems to hang on pretty securely even when I drop the chain. So far I haven't lost one.

And I wax my chains so I can handle them on with bare hands. Very clean, very little mess -- about like pencil graphite. Boeshield T-9 is pretty clean too, just needs to be applied more often.
I didn't realize there were different thickness of KMC 11speed chains/links. Fortunately when I ordered some replacement KMC links yesterday, I looked on my current KMC link at the model number which was written on the link: KMC CL 555. I was able to order the same model, and they were quite inexpensive.
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Old 05-28-18 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by MrRider
That's a good question.
This is what a broken chain is likely to look like:

I usually carry a tiny pliers, but you should be able to pop one of those bent plates off the other rivet by twisting or prying with the other end of the chain, one or two allen wrenches, etc. Once the plate comes off the rivet and other plate just fall out. Now you can insert your masterlink.
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Old 05-28-18 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Kontact
Apparently it is easier to learn how to upload video than it is to learn how a bicycle works. What a fool.
He's a nice fool XD
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Old 05-28-18 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by MrRider
That's a good question.
Hence why beside a master link, I carry a tool like this.

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Old 05-28-18 | 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by SylvainG
Hence why beside a master link, I carry a tool like this.

Well I'm glad I hadn't ordered my multi-tool yet because now I can make sure I get that one! That's an awesome multi tool.
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Old 05-28-18 | 09:34 PM
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The crankbros M19 is probably the best multi-tool on the market. The chain tool is very easy to use and works very well. I've used mine to rejoin a chain after quick-link failure 4 times in the past 3 years. Most recently this last Sunday when my quick-link separated during a shift and I could only find half.

That bell tool also has a weird spoke nipple/gauge right where you will be putting the most force with your hand when twisting to push out a rivet so it will be very uncomfortable.
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Old 05-28-18 | 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
The crankbros M19 is probably the best multi-tool on the market. The chain tool is very easy to use and works very well. I've used mine to rejoin a chain after quick-link failure 4 times in the past 3 years. Most recently this last Sunday when my quick-link separated during a shift and I could only find half.

That bell tool also has a weird spoke nipple/gauge right where you will be putting the most force with your hand when twisting to push out a rivet so it will be very uncomfortable.


Some kind of record...
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Old 05-29-18 | 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
The crankbros M19 is probably the best multi-tool on the market. The chain tool is very easy to use and works very well. I've used mine to rejoin a chain after quick-link failure 4 times in the past 3 years. Most recently this last Sunday when my quick-link separated during a shift and I could only find half.

That bell tool also has a weird spoke nipple/gauge right where you will be putting the most force with your hand when twisting to push out a rivet so it will be very uncomfortable.
Does the multi tool have the tool to take off and put on spokes? Is that what you mean by spoke nipple/ gauge? I suppose you don't need that screwdriver nipple tool to hold the top part of the nipple when screwing the underside, just hold it with your finger eh? You need the ability to take off and reinstall spokes on the road, especially if bikepacking.
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Old 05-29-18 | 08:01 AM
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Yes, the M19 has a multiple spoke wrenches for common nipple sizes. You can see here on the chain tool the "2" and "3" are nipple size indicators, on the other side it has "0" and "1" sizes.

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Old 05-29-18 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
Yes, the M19 has a multiple spoke wrenches for common nipple sizes. You can see here on the chain tool the "2" and "3" are nipple size indicators, on the other side it has "0" and "1" sizes.

Awesome. I also noticed it also has the torx drivers for the disc brake rotors. It's a pricey little unit, some multi tools are going on ebay for like $3. But obviously they don't have the things this one does. I'll bookmark it, sounds like it might be worth saving for.
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Old 05-29-18 | 03:15 PM
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If you need to remove a master link at the side of the road, you just need a rock. Pull the master link into a pyramid on the chainring, so that one side of the pyramid is the master link. Hit the top of the pyramid with the rock, and the master link will come apart. You can tighten it using pressure on the pedal while the master link is in the top run of chain, as mentioned earlier. Pay zero attention to the idiot that tries to do that using the bottom run of chain.

You could paint the rock park tool blue and use one side for 7-8-9 speed chains, and the other side for 10-11 speed chains if you want.
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Old 05-29-18 | 04:47 PM
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I've used a traditional paperclip to hold the chain sections upright, enough to allow for easier installation of the KL. The same paperclip also serves as a nice retainer of the KL when stowed on the bike in a panner. Don't use a cheap flimsy paperclip.
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Old 05-29-18 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by speedevil
If you need to remove a master link at the side of the road, you just need a rock. Pull the master link into a pyramid on the chainring, so that one side of the pyramid is the master link. Hit the top of the pyramid with the rock, and the master link will come apart. You can tighten it using pressure on the pedal while the master link is in the top run of chain, as mentioned earlier. Pay zero attention to the idiot that tries to do that using the bottom run of chain.

You could paint the rock park tool blue and use one side for 7-8-9 speed chains, and the other side for 10-11 speed chains if you want.
Haha perfect multi-use Park Tool!
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Old 05-29-18 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by MrRider
Haha perfect multi-use Park Tool!
The Crank Bros tool can double as a rock- it's heavy enough.
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Old 05-30-18 | 08:15 AM
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I know we all have a couple of zip ties in our bags to hold slack in the chain. carry about a foot of old shift cable too. wrap it around the link rollers, make left go right and right go left, and tug. sound confusing?

then watch this:

Chain question...
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Old 05-30-18 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by MrRider
Well I'm glad I hadn't ordered my multi-tool yet because now I can make sure I get that one! That's an awesome multi tool.
Those kinds of tools aren't nearly as awesome as you might think. They tend to be bulky and difficult to use. Look into the Fix-it-Sticks kits. Yes, they are more expensive but they do the job better.
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Old 05-30-18 | 08:47 AM
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Originally Posted by southpier
I know we all have a couple of zip ties in our bags to hold slack in the chain. carry about a foot of old shift cable too. wrap it around the link rollers, make left go right and right go left, and tug. sound confusing?

then watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5UHYTz6eXs

Chain question...
No I follow ya! I'd also include a pair of sturdy gardening gloves if using the tighter 11-speed links, you know just to avoid this:

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Old 05-30-18 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Those kinds of tools aren't nearly as awesome as you might think. They tend to be bulky and difficult to use. Look into the Fix-it-Sticks kits. Yes, they are more expensive but they do the job better.
That fix it stick kit really is pretty cool, but won't you also need the spoke tool and chain breaker? Especially if doing some bikepacking.

I've never broken a chain yet (breaker is in the mail), but judging from how hard it looks to use the slightly bigger ones with smaller handle, I could imagine the multi-tool breaker could be quite difficult. But it's an emergency measure isn't it, as long as it's still usable for that infrequent occasion...

Last edited by MrRider; 05-30-18 at 08:57 AM.
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Old 05-30-18 | 09:10 AM
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Fix-it sticks are great if you like a lot of little parts to lose, have too much money and are interested in cobbling together the tool every time you want to use it.

Folding multitools work great, not as well as a full-size tool obviously but much better than something that requires bits and shoving one end into the other to get leverage. I used a Crankbros M19 for 2 years as my only bike tool and it was fine. I'm not sure how something the size of a pack of cards can be considered bulky? Regardless, make sure you buy something of quality. Those $3 multi-tools often have undersized drivers and tend to have shorter lives. A good tool should only set you back $20 or so.

The chain tool on the M19 is only slightly harder than using a full size tool, I've gotten good feedback from smaller riders that it works ok for them. Due to the design it's also possible to brace the tool and use additional leverage to push the pin if needed.
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Old 05-30-18 | 09:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
Fix-it sticks are great if you like a lot of little parts to lose, have too much money and are interested in cobbling together the tool every time you want to use it.

Folding multitools work great, not as well as a full-size tool obviously but much better than something that requires bits and shoving one end into the other to get leverage. I used a Crankbros M19 for 2 years as my only bike tool and it was fine. I'm not sure how something the size of a pack of cards can be considered bulky? Regardless, make sure you buy something of quality. Those $3 multi-tools often have undersized drivers and tend to have shorter lives. A good tool should only set you back $20 or so.

The chain tool on the M19 is only slightly harder than using a full size tool, I've gotten good feedback from smaller riders that it works ok for them. Due to the design it's also possible to brace the tool and use additional leverage to push the pin if needed.
To be honest all the M19's on ebay are going for $45 USD. Linked below is an example of the M19 with free postage. Some of the other M19's on ebay have quoted prices that are a bit less, but they make the difference with excessive postage charges so they all come out about $45 USD:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crankbrothers-Multi-Tool-Gold-M19-Crank-Brothers-Multitool/222515130802?epid=1104960766&hash=item33ceef71b2:g:nz8AAOSwC~1a8SQH:sc:AU_StandardDelivery!2298!AU!-1

Last edited by MrRider; 05-30-18 at 09:46 AM.
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Old 05-30-18 | 09:30 AM
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I just realized the M19 multi tool might be relatively easy to use as the whole tool is used as the handle. I mistakenly assmed it would be using a tiny little handle.
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Old 05-30-18 | 09:50 AM
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Ah you live in Australia, in the US the M19 is around $20.

Just looking at the Fix-It site the basic tool plus chain breaker is $49. Is it cheaper in Australia? Keep in mind it's not directly comparable as the Fix-It doesn't include the same tools as the M19 and is missing some drivers and the spoke wrenches.

Anyway, good luck with your choice.

Last edited by Spoonrobot; 05-30-18 at 09:59 AM.
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Old 05-30-18 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by MrRider
That fix it stick kit really is pretty cool, but won't you also need the spoke tool and chain breaker? Especially if doing some bikepacking.

I've never broken a chain yet (breaker is in the mail), but judging from how hard it looks to use the slightly bigger ones with smaller handle, I could imagine the multi-tool breaker could be quite difficult. But it's an emergency measure isn't it, as long as it's still usable for that infrequent occasion...
The mountain bike kit has a chain tool. No, it doesn't have a spoke tool but I've never found the spoke tool on any multitool to be that useful. A separate spoke wrench is easier to work with. Also, I've converted all my bikes over to splined nipples so they need a separate spoke wrench anyway.
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Old 05-30-18 | 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Spoonrobot
Fix-it sticks are great if you like a lot of little parts to lose, have too much money and are interested in cobbling together the tool every time you want to use it.

Folding multitools work great, not as well as a full-size tool obviously but much better than something that requires bits and shoving one end into the other to get leverage. I used a Crankbros M19 for 2 years as my only bike tool and it was fine. I'm not sure how something the size of a pack of cards can be considered bulky? Regardless, make sure you buy something of quality. Those $3 multi-tools often have undersized drivers and tend to have shorter lives. A good tool should only set you back $20 or so.

The chain tool on the M19 is only slightly harder than using a full size tool, I've gotten good feedback from smaller riders that it works ok for them. Due to the design it's also possible to brace the tool and use additional leverage to push the pin if needed.
Folding multitools like the M19 are hard to use around some parts of the bike because the tool gets in the way. The bits are also short so you don't have that good of leverage.

Yes, Fix-it Sticks have removable parts but they also have fairly powerful magnets that keep the bits from falling off. Additionally, the bits are replaceable so if you bugger one...a definite possibility with a short handled tool...you can replace them. Finally, there is the ability to reach deeper into spaces with the Fixit due to it's longer handle in addition to being able to apply more torque because of the T-handle configuration.
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