i was trying to put a new kmc chain on my mercier kilo tt and basically... either i leave these 2 links on and theres way too much slack... or i take the 2 links off and the chain is just barely too short... and i cant take just 1 off because then the master link doesnt work on one of the sides... because one end of the chain would be male and one end of the chain would be female... do i need like a chain tensioner or something to pull it tight enough to put on the chain with those 2 links off?

This sounds like a perfect chance for a half link.

Well. You could see if you could get half links for it.
When I bought one of my super v's , they threw in super v half links in case I came up with the same problem you're having. I think the half links are 3 bucks in most cases.

But they manufacture half links for most high end njs chains just for this reason.

Socks

I gave him an answer already...

You could go with a different ratio if you don't want a half link.

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/166...p=070%20KMCHL7
is this the half link that you guys are talking about?
if so... i don't have it... it didn't come with the cheapo 10$ kmc chain i bought... how exactly do I use it? I've searched around and I don't exactly see a guide on how to use that thing...

Oh sorry. I thought you meant a complete half link chain, like people have on bmx bikes. Seems that many people are putting bmx chains on fixed gears now.

Socks

You have to buy one separately but make sure that it is the same size as your chain.

You install it the same way you add links to a chain, push the pin into another link of chain and there you go.

Yeap. Vixtor is right.
Exactly the same way.

Socks

Oh I see how it works now. I understand. I don't think I'm going to go with a different ratio so for now I'll just go with this half link. Seems like it'd work perfectly for my situation.
Thanks for the help guys. Knew I could count on BF.

however this is ridiculous. 1-2$ for the half-link, sure, but shipping is 3-4x that much. ??? Horrible. Guess I'll have to take the plunge...

How about you go to your LBS for the half link? You wont have to pay $6-8 shipping...

Just throwing this out there, but you seem proficient in using a chain breaker, so why the need for a master link?

a lot of newer chains are designed to be broken and not put back together, so they necessitate the use of a masterlink.

besides, a master link is more convenient.