best chain tool
03-08-08, 01:21 PM
#1
this one's optimistic...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: central new jersey
Posts: 723
Bikes: cannondale r400 2006 kona smoke 2005 scott cr1 team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
best chain tool
was working today on dads bike and the chain tool i had made me almost use a hammer on the chain i was so angry! this is a tool i need to replace obviously.
what do you guys use and what do you recommend?
what do you guys use and what do you recommend?
03-08-08, 01:49 PM
#2
Pwnerer
Oh boy...
There is no "best" anything. No best chain tool, no best lube, no best bike brand...it's all up to individual tastes.
That said, I am fine with the Park, but be prepared to hear a gazillion reasons why I am wrong and another tool is the "best". Just don't buy the least expensive one you can find and you're generally guaranteed a decent quality...although I am wrong on that account too...the WalMart crowd will disagree.
Oh, wait...the "best" chain tool is the free one you find in the street.
There is no "best" anything. No best chain tool, no best lube, no best bike brand...it's all up to individual tastes.
That said, I am fine with the Park, but be prepared to hear a gazillion reasons why I am wrong and another tool is the "best". Just don't buy the least expensive one you can find and you're generally guaranteed a decent quality...although I am wrong on that account too...the WalMart crowd will disagree.
Oh, wait...the "best" chain tool is the free one you find in the street.
03-08-08, 02:09 PM
#4
Really Old Senior Member
I'm on my 2nd cheap chain tool. I ruined the first one because I didn't know how to "baby it", having no previous CT experience. I expect the 2nd will last just fine for my somewhat limited use.
03-08-08, 02:12 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 703
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like the more expensive Park one...(huge, black/blue, not the small silver one), I had problems with the pins bending on the cheap nonbranded tools...
03-08-08, 02:22 PM
#6
Mmmm vegetables
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toledo, OH
Posts: 59
Bikes: Schwinn World Sport, Fuji Sports 12, Diamondback Wildwood (haha)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got a free cheapo one when I bought my cheapo KMC chain from my LBS
03-08-08, 02:30 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: West Dorset, UK
Posts: 908
Bikes: 1983 Dawes Galaxy, 2006 Raleigh Airlite, 1982 Sun Solo (fixed)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1
__________________
A group for all Dawes Galaxy owners to give and recieve information about them
https://flickr.com/groups/dawes_galaxy/
i jam my thumbs up and back into the tubes. this way i can point my fingers straight out in front to split the wind and attain an even more aero profile, and the usual fixed gear - zen - connectedness feeling through the drivetrain is multiplied ten fold because my thumbs become one with the tubing.
https://flickr.com/groups/dawes_galaxy/
03-08-08, 03:15 PM
#8
this one's optimistic...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: central new jersey
Posts: 723
Bikes: cannondale r400 2006 kona smoke 2005 scott cr1 team
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
how about the nashbar shop version?
03-08-08, 03:20 PM
#9
Smiling and Waving
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Merrickville,Canada
Posts: 364
Bikes: -
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I came across this chain tool at a garage sale.Cost me $2.I have used the small screw-type tools and this one is way easier to use.I'd definatly recommend it if you have to work on chains.
03-08-08, 03:26 PM
#10
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
One of the 'best' is the Rolhoff chain tool. It's very expensive.
I have both a Park CT-3 and an el cheapo. Ergonomics and the fact that the pin in the Park can be replaced aside there is really little functional difference between the two.
I have both a Park CT-3 and an el cheapo. Ergonomics and the fact that the pin in the Park can be replaced aside there is really little functional difference between the two.
03-08-08, 04:15 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Athens, Ohio
Posts: 5,104
Bikes: Custom Custom Custom
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Get the Park CT-3. Its what most shops use and its durable, easy to work with and more than adequate. Its better than the smaller ones because it will give you more leverage to break those pins free.
The mack daddy of chain tools is the Rohloff revolver tool that I received as a gift. Its a great tool and makes working with chains a little bit more enjoyable. But is it worth the additional $100? To a home mechanic, $100 will go a long ways. Shop guys, still $100 will go a long ways buying other tools. But you know, it sure does look good when you have it in your toolbox/toolwall, thats obviously unless the tool grows legs and disappears.
The mack daddy of chain tools is the Rohloff revolver tool that I received as a gift. Its a great tool and makes working with chains a little bit more enjoyable. But is it worth the additional $100? To a home mechanic, $100 will go a long ways. Shop guys, still $100 will go a long ways buying other tools. But you know, it sure does look good when you have it in your toolbox/toolwall, thats obviously unless the tool grows legs and disappears.
03-08-08, 07:16 PM
#13
Senior Member
I got a CT-3 from Lickton for about $26.
03-09-08, 01:42 PM
#14
B-b-b-b-b-b-bicicle Rider
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Racine WI
Posts: 749
Bikes: 1997, stumpjumper S-works hardtail, Medici, Giant Perigee(track dropouts and fixed gear), Columbia twosome, schwinn twinn, '67 raleigh 5 speed internal hub, Old triumph 3 speed, old BSA 3-speed, schwinn Racer 2spd kickback, Broken raysport criteriu
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
I have tried cheap chinese ones, (broke 3 in a row), then bought a park ct-5, mini chain brute, which i've been using for about 12 years, and i've never even had to replace the pin pusher, and i use the tool a lot. When I started a bike messenger business, i bought a set of park tools for the shop there. For that I bought a CT-3, The pin broke on that one a few times, but after about the 3rd or 4th one, we had success. From my experience, i'd go with the mini ct-5 because it's small enough and light enough, that you can carry it with you on long rides without noticing the xtra weight, and it's very reliable, and does exactly what is needed.
03-09-08, 02:46 PM
#15
Cantre Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Used this one twice and it broke. I will buy a Park tool for the next one even though I expect it to see minimal use. This one is a Spin Doctor and I was working on a very rusty chain.
TJ
TJ
__________________
03-09-08, 05:19 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: N.E. FL.
Posts: 268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
.
03-10-08, 11:19 AM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 162
Bikes: Dawes road bike and Trek Antelope 850
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mine's a bit like that, but not broken. Were you pressing the pin in, or out, when it broke?
03-10-08, 06:20 PM
#19
Cantre Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Pressing out a pin on a very rusted chain.
__________________
03-10-08, 06:40 PM
#20
Super Biker
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,183
Bikes: 2014 Curtlo, 2006 Serotta Coeur d’Acier, 2005 Independent Fabrication Steel Delux, 2003 Surly 1x1, 2003 Surly Cross Check, 1986 Schwin Worldsport SS commuter, 1980's Mongoose Supergoose
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like my Wrench Force model. The bigger the chain tool, the better IMO.
Like so many bike tools, I think that once you've used a high quality chain tool, it's hard to go back to using a cheap one again.
Like so many bike tools, I think that once you've used a high quality chain tool, it's hard to go back to using a cheap one again.
03-10-08, 06:40 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 626
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I like the replaceable pin and double guides on my Pedro's chain tool. Stopped at a LBS after snapping a chain on a ride, and they had a Pedro's shop tool. It was so much easier to use than the little ones I'd been using before, that I ordered one to thank them for getting me back on the road.
03-10-08, 08:30 PM
#22
Blue Light Special
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bay Area, Sunny Cali
Posts: 1,467
Bikes: '05 Felt F55, Schwinn Prologue road bike, '86 Centurion DS Iron Man, Sette Flite AM MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I just use the one that came on my Crank Brothers M19 multi-tool. I've popped maybe 30? links on it and the pointed end is now pretty flat, but it still works fine.
03-11-08, 10:47 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Scotland
Posts: 162
Bikes: Dawes road bike and Trek Antelope 850
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
