mdrew9

So I removed my Shimano chain to do a deep clean on it and my derailleur. I thought I had an idea what to do and used my chain tool on my multi tool to push a rivet out. I then pushed that same rivet back into the hole using my chain tool. Upon re oiling the chain I noticed my chain had a master link. While oiling the rivet I had removed it was tight, so I road the bike out my driveway and back and I didn't seem to notice an issue. So did I just mess up my chain? Thank you in advance for your assistance.

FBinNY 

If you have a bike less than 10 or so years old and have hyperglide (or whatever-glide) 8 or more speeds, you have a problem. The gated shifting puts more side stress on the chains than the older 5 & 6s systems used to. Combine that with chains whose pins are cut almost flush with the outer plate, and the risk of a plate being forced over the end of the pin goes up exponentially.

Modern chains are reinforced against that problem by having the rivet ends peened over the outer plates. When you cut the chain you broke off that peen. Putting it back together the way you did left it vulnerable to the plate coming off and the chain breaking. Since they only break under load, this won't be fun.

If you never shift under any kind of load, and never sprint or climb hills you might get away with it as it is, but I don't think it's worth the risk. Hopefully you can spot the exact pin, and cut the chain in the same place. Then remove the end outer link, and replace it with a connector, and you'll be in good shape.

If you can't find the pin you used last time, you're best off replacing the chain. Of course that's your call, but I can't enjoy riding if I can't trust the bike.

jim hughes

You're not supposed to push a rivet back into place on a Hyperglide chain. Instead you're supposed to use a special replacement rivet - Shimano supplies a couple with each new chain. Like FBinNY said, you should sack that chain unless you can find the rivet you worked on and replace it with the proper new rivet.

I thought Shimano chains didn't have master links...?

mdrew9

Not sure, but looking at the Park Tools site on chain repair it clearly looks like a master link, possibly a replaced chain? The bike is a CAAD 9 -5 with a 10 speed cassette. I think I can find the link I pushed out, I will talk to my shop about fixing it. Thank you for the replies.

FBinNY 

Shimano chains don't come with master links, but that doesn't mean that one can't be used, or hasn't been used by whoever fitted the chain. Shimano is committed to their special splicing pin, and that's always an option, or you can use a master link of the right width, made by KMC, Sram, Wippermann or others.

MudPie

I had a Shimano (105?) chain that came new with a 2008 Madone and it had a master link. Somewhere, I read Shimano tried a master link, but stopped, I assume because of problems. The reason I don't use Shimano chains is they don't have master links.

JiveTurkey

Drive out the in you reinstalled and the adjacent pin on the outer link. Replace the outerlink with a 10-speed quick-link from Wippermann, KMC, etc. I wouldn't try to put a Shimano special replacement pin in case you further enlarged the hole.

Jed19

+1. I also had a brand new CAAD8 that came with Shimano 105 chain and masterlink. As a result of this, I have always used my stock of Dura-Ace (7801) chains with KMC masterlinks. So far, no issue(s) to report.

mdrew9

Went to my LBS to pick up some 10 speed chain pins. Bike looks like it works great, still needs to be riden prior to the PMC next weekend. LBS gave me the chain pins, I figured they would charge me something.

davidad

In a pinch you can rivet the pin with a center punch.