am8117

Anyone has a good tip for occasional use (carry-at-all-times) chain tool that is not flimsy, but also not a tank? Most have either massive handle or nothing much there at all making it difficult to work with. Given the fact most of the time one has allen keys at hand, is there perhaps any chain tool that would have slot for an ordinary allen key for a handle making it space saving for a saddle bag but practical to use?

EDIT: Not something that is permanently part of a massive multi-tool.

LesterOfPuppets

Someone should come out with a new version of the Cool Tool!

am8117

I swear I made my edit to the post just before seeing your first reply.

LesterOfPuppets

Your mention of using an allen wrench to turn the chain tool just reminded me of the Cool Tool. I still have mine, but I only have one of the original two-sided allen wrenches though, and have stuffed a regular 5mm allen in the missing original's place.

surak

I only use the chain tool that comes with my Topeak Hexus X multitool, even at home. I doubt it gets much more compact than that.

CliffordK

I like the Park CT5.



Not minuscule, but it is a good robust tool for both home and road use.

You could probably remove the cross bar if you wish... but..

I had a portable cheap Chinese Multitool that I was using. I was breaking a Wipperman 9s chain for my nephew, and the chain broke the multitool.

The chain tool is something that I like to be able to count on.

Russ Roth

I've also typically traveled with the park due to its strength, and started doing so after breaking a cheaper one, its what I have in my touring kit. Had a chain where the pins were peened to make it stronger, to break it I had to put a wrench on the park tool for extra leverage and a pair of pliers on the post and it held up fine, but that can be the one upside to some of the bigger multi-tools, they have the leverage for tougher chains. For my other regular use bikes I have the crank bros multi-tools to have less to lose in a more compact space.

JohnDThompson 

The old "Chain Pup" is the smallest and lightest chain tool I've used. Not sure if they're still in production, though.

am8117

I know ... I was eyeing this one because it looks "standard" but still that the chain won't break the tool (happened to lots of us I guess) ... but I cannot find picture of it anywhere in scale ... as in next to one's hand (not a good scale check ), coin etc. Will that fit in a small saddle bag and stay flat? How thick is the cross bar ... only asking because I have some round handle shaped allen keys and I might just stick them through instead...

aggiegrads

Because I already carry a bit ratchet and a bit holder, I like the fixit-sticks chain tool.

dsbrantjr

That is exactly what I did, it took longer to get out the angle grinder to cut off the handle than to actually cut it. You can also insert another key (or stick) through the triangular handle for even better leverage.

squirtdad

For on the road get a brand name, high quality multi tool like the crank brothers m19 that has a chain tool

get a good tool for the shop....i used a cheapo for years and was amazed at how much nice the park one was

bboy314

I second this - definitely small enough for a saddle bag or tool pouch but decent enough to get the job done.

Riveting

+1 for the M19 on the road, and a Park at home.

veganbikes

I would just swap to quick links and get the Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers It is a neat tool, it has your chain link pliers plus a chainring bolt (holding it together and room for some spare links. They also make the 8 bit Pack Pliers and you can carry quick links separately.

The CT-5 would be what I carry with me if I really wanted a full on chain tool that is not so crazy but in the end I would probably just have my Topeak multitool with the chain tool on it and just suffer through that as I have in the past at home but beyond that I really don't feel the need to carry a chain tool much.

At home I really love my Abbey Decade but that is not a practical tool to own, it is very very very smooth and super nice but it is expensive on the verge of a little much. For the average person I would probably go Park CT 3.3 or if I wanted to go a bit more extra but still save $50 the Pedro's Tutto is really nice. Shimano also made a nice wood handled one but I don't think they make it any longer.

am8117

I do have quick links, but the real world use cases for chain tool: (it happened)
- broken chainlink ... can't rip it just out, need to shorten it
- broken RD hanger / busted RD etc when the chain needs to go short for "single-speed"
- someone else you ride with does not use them and decided to ruin your ride because they do not carry their chain tool

am8117

I just never need anything from a multi-tool and find the handles clumsy. I am good with two allen keys and tiny pliers ... no multi tool is that small and provides long/short arm like a regular allen key without any bulge.

veganbikes

Ok fair dinkum. I probably wouldn't ride with those people though.

am8117

This brings me to reach a point when I would go for the simplest chaintool with the hexagonal outer shape, saw off the fixed handle, ditch the lever and carry an allen key and adjustable spanner (wait that's not much useful these days) / mini water pump pliers to grab it with. While at that I might ditch the mini pliers that I used to carry.

fooferdoggie 

something a little different its also a quick link tool.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

Bug Shield

I carry the Topeak chain tool for the Ratchet Rocket RX: https://www.freedombikeshop.com/prod...rx-62916-1.htm

I use the Ratchet Rocket with a 5mm bit as the driver and a separate 5mm allen key as the handle. It works.

fooferdoggie 

this is my tool kit though so far I have not and to use it.

KerryIrons

I am always confused by this question. In over 450,000 miles of road riding over 50+ years, I have NEVER needed a chain tool. I must be doing something wrong?

am8117

Well, I did. On unknown but much lower mileage, but then I don’t have a support vehicle behind.

drlogik 

In over 45 years of riding I have never broken a chain on the road either but the little Park chain tool remains in my small under-seat pouch. It keeps company with a spare tube, a Park self-sticky patch kit and my trusty PB Swiss Tools multitool (pictured above). For shop use I have a Hozan C371 chain tool that was made in Japan. Just a crazy great quality tool, like what Dura Ace is to bike components.