So I'm slowly putting together my tool kit, now looking to get a chain tool. There are several on the market ranging from $5 ebay generics to the impressive Campy 11-speed for $300. I was looking at getting the Park Master Chain tool for $45 but I wanted to get your opinions on any noticeable difference I'll see versus getting an ebay one except for build quality. (I can get 10 ebay knock-offs for the cost of a Park Tool).

As a reference, I'll try to have one tool that takes away Campy 10-speed chains and general Shimanos.

Any thoughts or experiences with those simple eBay ones would be helpful.

I don't get Ebay, for common bike parts?
Bay Area has lots of nice professional Bike shops,

Why not see what's there ?

FWIW, Park has one that folds into a little self case .. good thru 10
https://www.parktool.com/product/fold...in-tool-ct-6-2

for 11 you need to re peen the end of the chain,
https://www.parktool.com/product/rive...ed-chain-ct-11

11 speed cassettes and chains are premium priced stuff,

if you want cheap, that is not the path to go down in the 1st place ..

still lots of decent new bikes sold with 8 and 9 speed drivetrains.

Gee, I wonder why that is. If you go the cheapie route, you might as well buy quite a few so that you will increase your chances of getting a couple that might work a few times. Just go down to the local shop and pick out a decent tool. I've never understood the mentality of buying the lowest priced stuff. Good tools make the work so much easier and companies like Park etc. even carry replacement parts for those components that wear.

One of my friends left a decent chain tool I gave him, at home,
when he found a cheaper lighter one,
so on his bike trip, he had to do his chain repair
with a rock and a nail , on the Argentine slopes of the Andes,
hundreds of Km from anywhere, [with any tools]
when the lighter cheap one broke, when he tried to use it.

I don't use a chain tool very often so I get by with a Park CT-5. If I had to purchase another one I'd probably get the CT-3.

I bought an inexpensive tool that nashbar had on sale, as I am not a pro mechanic it has worked perfectly for the few times I've needed it. I also have one that is built into my Crank Bros multitool that actually works fine (Replaced my buddies chain last week using it)

I agree that you get what you pay for, but if you aren't a pro mechanic, you don't need a 300 dollar tool. the inexpensive tool usually will do fine.

Just my $0.02

Who said anything about $300. I realize the OP saw some at that price level and mentioned them in order to demonstrate the range of tools available but there is no indication that he was seriously considering a tool of that caliber. Clearly only a pro would be able to justify such a tool and very few at that. But if comparing some off branded cheapie vs. one with a good reputation, the difference is not that great and the benefit clear IMHO. Is $12 really that much to spend for a decent tool? https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Mini.../dp/B003RZPIBG

I have a Park CT4.2. It works well on my Campy 10s chains.

park ct 3

I don't do a whole lot of bike maintenance, but I still have two chain tools. Park CT-3 for the toolbox (works great) and a CT-5 for the bike tool bag (haven't needed it for myself yet, but did use it to rescue someone else once). I'm really glad to have both of them.

Years ago I bought the Rohloff Revolver 2, based on some recommendations saying that it's the best chain tool around. Well, I must conclude that it really is. It was expensive, but it was some of the best spent money, bike tool-wise.

+1 Park CT3 is great for general chain work. I've used mine a lot. IMHO, only a couple of tools need to be higher end: your chain tool and your cable cutter. Other tools you can get by with lesser ones, like cone wrenches, etc. Third on my list would be a higher quality bike stand, but I work on bikes four or five days a week.

+1 Cheap tools break, sooner or later. And they don't work nearly as nice when they are functional. If you're going to by a tool, get a good one NOT made in China, etc. You don't need a $300 chain tool, but at least get a Park or something of quality.

I got a nice VAR one like for 40 bucks. Somehow this year all the chain tools took steroids and triple their sizes

Thanks all for the tips, I think I'm gonna give Park a go at it. The reason why I ask about the chain removal tool is simply because it looks like such a simple concept. You screw in a bolt that unlocks the pin that cradles the links, it's almost a mini version of a vice grip. Of course, this is all newb mechanic talk (and I do respect great quality tools when there's a time and place for it).

The Park Tool CT-5 is small enough to take with you on a ride, and uses the same replaceable pins as their shop models. If its not cheap enough for you then buy one from E-bay. You`ll deserve what you get. The CT-5 is also 10 speed compatible. The only thing it has less of is leverage so the operation takes just marginaly longer - but I`ve never broken one. Have broken pins using Park Tool shop grade models and Pedros chain tools - probably because the added leverage lets you force things that shouldn`t be forced.

The E-bay models (and a lot of other products) are great - for the seller. By the time you realize they`re junk they already have your money and returning the item will cost more than you paid for it.

The cheap ones that I have used always have the pins bending with the first couple of uses.

The concept may look simple but chains are hgh precision components, and high precision tools to match make the job much easier. The frustration of a failed chain tool is worth about triple the cost of a new chain to me.