I have replaced the chain on two of my bikes and I have a really hard time getting both ends of the new chain in the chain tool to connect them because the rear deraillure is pulling on the chain.

Is there a trick to doing this?

make sure you sized the chain correctly. perhaps you broke the chain too short.

and I use masterlinks.

Unhook the chain from the chainrings in front and rest it on the outside of the bottom-bracket shell.

take the chain off the chainring, drop it onto the BB. connect the chain and put it back on the chainring.

I go with the master links. Easy to remove for cleaning.

This:

also you can make a tool that hooks the derailleur cage and a chainring bolt from a spoke. i personally just drop the chain on the bb

Seems like the BB thing is the trick. So simple too.... can't believe it didn't occur to me.

Thanks.

On a coaster brake, SS/FG, or IGH, I don't completely run the chain around the chainring. I leave the chain off the bottom, join the ends, pin it, the let the chain ride back onto the chainring by turning the cranks.

I made up a little "tool" from a piece of coat hanger wire. It's a shallow, wide U-shape with the upper tips of the legs bent inward. You hook it to each end of the chain far enough back so the open ends overlap in the middle. That gives you the slack to insert the master link or joining pin.

The advantage of this tool over dropping the chain onto the bb shell is that you can turn the cranks slightly back and forth to be sure the chain is routed correctly before you join it. Ever fully installed a chain only to discover you ran it outside one of the rear derailleur tabs? With a master link it's only a nuisance. With a joining pin it's a real hassle. Guess how I know about this?

Yes! When I make this mistake, I usually disassemble the derailer and run it through. Then it's just a little annoying to screw the pulleys back on.

This.

Remove the rear wheel or strap the derailleur cage near the chainstay.

I'm with Hillrider on this, sacrificed a coathanger. Mine looks more like a big Vee. Use it taking the chain apart and putting together. This way you don't get lube on the BB or scratch it. The ends of the chain don't fly away if you let go. You can buy the same device at the store if you don't have a wire coathanger.

+1 I do this myself. If you can't find metal coat hangers - check your local metal yard.

Park makes a relatively inexpensive tool to pull the chain ends together. I use one and master links. Works like a charm.

what tool is that?

I do not have it in hand to check the number, but it looks like a pair of pliers--you could probably check Park's website and find it.

I just went to Park's site and found it--MLP-1.

Mine is made from a 14 ga spoke.

Not the Park tool, but certainly up to the task. Whether you buy this or make your own, it's definitely one of the most used tools for those who do their own maintenance.
https://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cg...item_id=YC-207

That is the most useless tool ever made. You don't need anything like that. First cut the chain to the right size with it on the front big chainring. Then take it of the front chainring. Not on the inside at the BB but the outside so you don't destroy your paint. just leave it hanging on your front derailleur. Join the chain using whatever method you want and put the chain back on the front chainring.

That tool is is for finding a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

Another thing that helps is to not push the pin all the way out. Leave about 0.5mm of it protruding inside the plate. That way, you can snap the chain back together and it'll stay together while you fumble with the chain-pin tool

Just use a master link. They're fairly cheap and you can get multiple uses out of them.

Home-made wire gizmo works for me.
When installing a Master Link has anyone else chopped their chain at the wrong type of link. You need an "innie" at both ends.

+ 1