diverguy

Some of you are going to laugh. A couple will probably tell me take it to the shop next time. However, tonight I changed my chain by myself for the first time. I learned quite a bit. The previous chain was put on by the LBS but it didn't sound like anything I shouldn't be able to do. I bought the same 10-speed Dura Ace chain from the same shop. Got home and got ready to put it on and discovered it was six links longer than the old one. Is that normal?

The new chain came with two of those tapered, break-off pins. After removing the six extra links, feeding it around the gears, and figuring out a way to hold the two ends together long enough to get the break-off pin inserted, I used the chain tool to press the new pin in. Unfortunately, I pressed it a little too far (first-timer, remember) and ended up pushing it on through. Now, the instructions said that pin is specially shaped on the end. By pushing it all the way through, did that make it unusable in the future? If so, will the shop have additional pins? I kept the old chain as a spare for when I'm on multi-day, solo trips but would probably need one of those break-off pins.

I used a large flat washer with the second break-off pin to make sure it only went in far enough to be flush. That worked fine. Readjusted the shifter and it seems ready to go.

Any information or insight would be helpful.

Thanks.

Mose

Go to the shop and ask for a few master links. Install one of those and then you don't have to worry about those pins. Plus taking the chain off for a deep clean on a regular basis is cake. I run quick links on all my bikes.

Mr. Cranky

Chains are sold with "extra" links because there's a lot of variation from bike to bike in how many links will actually be required. It depends on the gearing, among other things. The easiest thing to do is to match the number of links with the old chain. Don't go by length, because an old chain will be "stretched" and therefore slightly longer than a new chain with the same number of links.

Hammonjj

As alternative view point to this, I was talking to a pro mechanic about this once and he advice not taking the chain off to clean it. Not only did he think it was unnecessary, but removing and reconnecting pins reduces the structural integrity of the chain (not a lot, but he felt enough to warrant not doing it). I don't know anything about master links, so that may make the last point moot.

AngryScientist 

if you put the new chain in with multiple extra links, you likely have too much chain on the bike, and not have enough tension in the small/small combination, you need to break the chain to match the correct number of links, as mr. cranky mentioned.

not to be critical, but there are numerous online sources (park, sheldon brown etc) that have excellent articles on how to do this stuff, your questions are pretty basic, and avoiding simple mistakes is always easier than fixing them. that said, you havent done anything you cant fix easily right now.

achoo

If you put the second break-off pin in the same holes as the first one, you've gone against Shimano's instructions to never reinsert another pin into the same links. IIRC that's because the break-off pin slightly enlarges the holes in the links when it's inserted, and a second insertion will not be secure.

I'd get a KMC or SRAM 10-speed master link and replace that very link. You can find a six-pack online for probably $10-12, and singles for probably around $3.

hawkij

Let me dissuade you. So I was an old time rider who use to do his own chain work. Got back on a new bike after 20 years, a really thin Shimano chain and thought I could do the same things I did back then. To make a long story short, when the chain broke, my face was driven into the brake hood and now after 20 months, several surgeries and a whole lot of pain I'm very near a final solution to the missing teeth and bone. Take it back to your LBS and make sure it's right. I sure as hell wish I had.

scirocco

Your mechanic is right. That's one of the unsung benefits of using a master link - there's no stress or wear on the chain when you take it off.

diverguy

Thank you everyone for your input and suggestions. Actually, hawkij scared the snot out of me. Two months ago, I went over the handlebars, broke my hand, had a mild concussion and had to have dental work done. The thought of going through anything like that again caused me to make a trip to the bike shop today. The mechanic agreed with what you all said. The sold me a "connex" link and swear by them. Very easy to use. Came home, removed the recently installed break-off pin and the link, and replaced it with the connex. Only took a few minutes and seems very secure. Thanks again.

banerjek

I swear by the Wipperman connex link myself. Despite the high price, it's by far my favorite master link and I use nothing but if I have a choice. Be aware that it is possible to install them upside down -- if you do that, you'll have problems on your smallest cogs. It's not hard to do it right, but I do recommend reading the instructions so you can tell the difference.

diverguy

Thanks. Appreciate the tip. Looks like it's installed correctly.

roadie138

Congrats diverguy sounds like you got it figured out.That was smart having it checked out at the LBS tho.