What chain tool (to remove pins and thus links) would you recommend? I use a SRAM 8 speed chain (PC-58) right now but will probably upgrade bikes in the near future. The PC-8 has a powerlink---but when I buy a new chain I need to shorten it a bit. Any advice?

Park tools can't be beat, but if you're not going to be working on chains all the time any cheapo house brand (Nashbar/Performance) one will be fine.

I bought a cheap one once, I don't remember the brand, it broke.

Park. I have had mine for about eight years. Still going strong.

the park tool ct-3 is a great investment. I gotta take chains on and off very often and a teeny tiny chain tool drives me crazy. However, if you just need something for the every-once-in-a-while removal and install you'll be fine with the park ct-5. Small but it works.

i think park tools are great! that being said they are also expensive. if i were buying a chain tool today it would be a attivo. https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=33266 check it out.

The more expensive chain tools (i.e park) are easier on the hands but they break just the same as the $5 cheapos.

Yep. I broke one of the alignment tabs the 2nd or 3rd time I used my Park CT-3. It still works but you have to fiddle with it a bit more to keep everything aligned while using it.

Way back in the day, I used a Cyclo Rivoli. These were the "el-cheapos" that bike shops sold in quantity for under 5$ each. They would sometimes break but it was usually operator error.

I still use a Cyclo just to free up tight links. But I also have the Park CT-1 (or CT-2) one of these, its the early version of their professional chain tool and its very powerful. I doesn't have that second setting for tight links like the newer version does. These have replaceable pins. I think that the more powerful tool deserves some respect because, even if misaligned, it will try to power through the rivet thus damaging the (replaceable) pin. If you get the Park CT-3, be sure to get several extra drive pins at the same time.

I also bought the Park CT-5 which is Park's compact chaintool, suitable for carrying on a bike. These are well made. I think the smaller ones are nice because they have a lighter feel in the hand in this helps with aligning it better and gives more tactile feedback on just how much to turn the screw.

The one I have is the park mini. I like it because it knows when to stop before the pins pop out completely.

My Crank Bros multi tool has a great chain tool on it. There is a stop so you can't push the pin out of the chain link on the trail.