Chain Tool
 

I just broke my Park CT-5 chain tool after 5 years of use. It worked fine, but it's kind of hard on the fingers. What do you recommend with a larger handle for under $50. It's for home use, but I like good tools.

Park has a some good tools, have you checked about warranty stuff?

Park CT-3.2

I've looked at Park. I just thought there might be another brand worth considering.

What part broke?

Since I no longer close chains (use connector links 100% of the time), I made my own easy on the hands chain tool.

I took an old pair of crappy pump pliers (Channellock copy). Drilled a hole through one jaw close to the pivot and partly through the opposite jaw. I then forced a bearing ball into the shallow hole, so it sticks out a bit.

I cut chains by suing the ball to crack both pins in the outer plate, forcing the pins sub-flush with a single squeeze. Then the rest of the link comes off the opposite side. Been using it for years. It's fast, easy, and no pins to break.

As above, the Park CT-3.2 is a fine choice or their nearly universal CT-6.3 which works on 5 to 11-speed chains also peens Campy 11-speed chains.

Also, as above, Park has a very good warranty policy and may replace your CT-5 at no cost.

Sent a email to parktools and they'll take care of you about replace or repair your tool .

Rohloff has a shop premium quality chain tool

Took A ct5 on a few bike tours , its almost unused ..

Still have the cyclo chain tool I got 40 years ago ..

pople break the upper fingers off chain tools by not knowing their function
is just to de-compress tight links .
and make their error pushing the pin out, there, and applying force with no backing..



If you want a new one , just looking at the website, the revised 6.3 now includes the ability to Peen
the pin to, hopefully, restore some of the pin to plate fitting, the peening of the chain making machine
does in the factory ..

putting a dent in the end of the pin, to expand the end so as to tighten up the fit in the stretched hole
created by pressing out the pin in the 1st place..

http://girlbikelove.com/wp-content/u...ol-TL-CN27.jpg

http://pedros.com/wp-content/uploads....0_feature.jpg

The punch pin can be replaced on your CT 5 if that's what broke. My LBS usually has some extras.

Whatever you use needs to be compatible with the chain, particularly with 10 and 11-speed chains.

Which connector link do you like to use with Campy 10sp chains?

Easy, I don't use Campy or Shimano 10s chains, Both are too pricey.

Certainly agree about Campy chains. Shimano's aren't that bad. I can get 5600, 5700, 6600 and 6700 model chains from Wiggle in the UK for under $25 each with free delivery if you spend about $85 or more.

so which chains do you recommend for campy 10 speed systems? I really love the smooth feel of a new campy veloce chain...

If you like them, buy them. I've used Wipperman and Shimano chains on Campy cassettes and they both work fine but it's your money.

I have spare pins. That's not the problem. I'm into vintage bikes, so 10 and eleven speed compatible is not an issue.

It was a KMC X chain with mushroom headed pins that broke my tool. I won't buy one of those again.

I think I've heard about you - you're the one who uses Shimano chains with campy drive trains...

My bike came stock with a Campy Veloce 10 speed drivetrain and a KMC chain. I've been perfectly happy with that combo.

I use KMC on my Centaur 10 speed drivetrain

Yeah, I shouldn't have made it public but it did happen. :(

Whatever you get - a smidge of grease on the thread wouldn't hurt.

I'm having trouble picturing this. Any chance for a picture?

So... do you use campy 10s cassettes? Or have you found a cheaper alternative? Of course, I'm running a campy style hub.

I don't have a basis for quality comparison, but IRD (and maybe others) market nice looking Campagnolo analogs.