BuddyMike

KMC chains are cheap[no more than 10 bucks] and come with a master link.
Quality and Star bike are usually a bit cheaper than the bicycle link in downtown savannah. I haven't been to the new bike link store on the south side, but had to get my crank puller sent up from that one.

BuddyMike

master links are fine, just make sure the open end of the pin is facing in the right direction

dutret

Yes especially if doesn't have straight pins. The master link will be alot stronger then pushing a pin out and pushing it back in.

trons

yes.. have faith in the masterlink.

gbiche

i just recently had this same problem.
it took a few tries, but i was able to line it up just so and get the pin started with a hammer.
then used the clamp/bolt thingy (the same tool i used to get it out) and the chain is fine.
it took a while and it was really frustrating, but everything worked out even though the pin came totally out.

Shmezbot

I know this is an old thread, I'm just adding to it for the benefit of searchers who have newly suffered the problem in the title...

With much cursing, I was able to reinsert a pushed-out chain pin like this:
1. Partially break the next chain link, pushing the pin out just enough to release the outer plate
2. Take your plate and pushed-out pin somewhere flat and level. Start the pin in the plate by holding with tweezers and tapping with a hammer. Be sure to start the pin from the outside of the plate!
3. Go back to the bike. The pin and plate, plus two chain ends will be difficult, but not impossible to hold in alignment, in the chain tool. Drive the pin home.
4. Push the next pin that you loosened previously back into position.

This method worked for me for the moment, we will see if the chain holds up under load. The chain is a Shimano 9-speed, super-narrow CN-HG93. The pins seem to have a slight bulge at each end that sheared off due to all my inserting and un-inserting. Hopefully this does not cause the chain to come apart under use.

I really didn't want to go hunt down another snap-off connecting pin, this method hopefully saved me that hassle.

If you too have suffered this super annoying screw-up, good luck, I have also felt the pain!

Wanderer

Push the other pin out of the other end, and put them both back together with a KMC Quicklink.

carleton

I didn't read all of the posts.

1) Your chain is integral your acceleration and braking system.
2) Most broken chains happen because of user error. Either trying to put pins back in or not hooking the master link up right.
3) Breaking a chain during hard acceleration or braking will hurt.
4) You can get a new chain for around $10.
5) or you can get a second master link and combine it with an inner link and bridge the gap you just made by taking too much chain off.


In short, just get a new chain. It's the drama-free route.

hairnet

because of 1 pin?

cc700

because you are the weakest link, goodbye.

and because it's a wear item and would have to be replaced eventually anyway so why worry when you can replace it cheaply?

carleton

Yup.

How many improperly re-assembled chain links do you think it would take to make a chain fail?

What he said.

desconhecido 

I don't know. I'll guess 112.

Shmezbot

Follow up:

The pin re-insertion method I described previously has held up just fine. 500 or so Km, occasional high loads, heavy rains... The chain seems fine thus far.

To address previous comments:
Excellent idea, I will pick up a couple the next time I am at my LBS.

The chain I was attempting to install cost $50. I'm not going to toss it just because there is a slightly increased risk of it failing.

In the event that it did break, I don't anticipate much in the way of injury. To clarify, I'm commuting to work on this thing, not racing.

cnnrmccloskey

Knowing someone who was just seriously injured in an accident caused by a chain failing I am going to say it would be worth the $50 to me.

TejanoTrackie 

This whole discussion makes no sense to me. If you buy a new chain, it will have extra links that you can remove and save for a rainy day. If there is a problem such as described above, you can simply discard the faulty link set (one inner + one outer), and replace it with another set that is in good condition.

wjphillips

No, No, No. Do not re-use chain pins! If you remove the chain pin with a chain tool you must buy a replacement pin. If you reuse the pin, you will compromise the integrity of the pin/chain and it will likely snap. I hope you you won't be out of the saddle pedaling when it breaks.

How do I know this? I did it and it happened to me. Luckily I wasn't pedaling too hard but nonetheless, I messed up my knees and elbows pretty bad.

Squirrelli

How can you even reuse a pin when it is almost impossible to put a pin back into the link..

Nor do I understand how it will compromise the integrity of the chain...

thirdgenbird

it depends on the chain. some chains have peened pins that are not meant to go back in. if you do put them back in, it will damage the outer side plate.

for what its worth, i saw two chains fail last week on a 442 mile bike tour. fortunately neither caused an accident but i am sure neither were fun. i would have helped, but both riders were on shimano and i only cary campagnolo 10spd chain parts.

edit:
ive never had a chain fail. (campy on the road bikes and sachs/sram on the fixed)

norskagent

Chain pliers. Pushes the pin far enough to separate the link, but not completely out. Then pushes the pin back in the correct amount!
Mine works that way w/ a 1/8" chain:

EssEllSee

Didn't read much of the thread, but I popped a pin out once, and that ***** would not go back in, no matter what I tried. Luckily I could just take out another link, but I learned from my mistake and that will never happen again.

dsh

I've pushed pins back in before. Put the chain flat on a sturdy surface (like the sidewalk), held the pin in place with a pair of needlenose pliars and hit it with a Heavy Thing (in this case it was a pair of channel locks) to get it started. Still riding that chain.

EssEllSee

I tried holding the pin in with pliers and pushing it in with the chaintool, but didn't think about a hammer. I would be a little worried about the chain breaking, but if you are still riding it, more power to ya.

torontofixie

so i've always been told how much of a drag it is when your chain pin gets pushed out -- but i was in a rush and i pushed it out -- damn - it is a drag! so i read these posts (after of course) and thanks for the advice. after only 3 hours or so i got it back in -- here's how i did it:

- figured out that using the chain tool is the only way -- impossible to hold the chain otherwise.
- put the chain tool in a workbench vise to free up my other hand -- you need two hands to do this
- set the chain in the tool and ran the pin through it to make sure it was centered and aligned -- you have to keep doing this every so often when you fail to get the pin in
- with one hand open the tool screw just enough to set the pin between the space - hole and pin screw -- this takes fine adjustments and trial and error
- with other use tweezers to gingerly place pin in space between (again book out some time for this!)
- when you have to lodged in a bit tighten/loosen screw and make small adjustments with the tweezersuntil as centered as possible
- push it in and have a beer

martinus

ONLY turn the handle 5 times . ( any tool )

... push the other one out. and get a master link/power link/etc. ( ~8$ fix)

... buy a new chain.

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martinus

Smart.