Finally got to use my chain breaker! IT WORKS!!!!

[Jason]

I FINALLY got to use my chain breaker on the trail. Not on my bike, but as I approached an apparently downed teenager, I (as I customarily do) asked if he was ok. He held up his chain like a bunch of dropped spaghetti. I told him I might be able to sort out his spaghetti mess. Happily, I had just learned to replace my chain this winter when I put a new groupset on my bike. His chain snapped up right at the KMC quicklink. I had a quicklink, but it didnt fit his drivechain, so I used my chain destroyer to bust up a link, and recycled one of his pins to get him home. Hopefully it worked out for him. Hardest part of the job was rethreading the chain on the derailleur (IE, it wasnt hard). Process took me 5-7 minutes tops. Glad I could help him, and best of all it was super good practice. Moral of the story: you wont break any KOMS or whatever stravacrap you are into if you stop, but you WILL improve your mechanic skillz dramatically. IE: help others with their snapped up spaghetti.

Topic

[Sunyata]

That is awesome! I feel like I should start carrying a multi-tool with a chain breaker on it during my commutes, even though my commuter has a belt instead of a chain. I ran upon someone the other day that had broken their chain and I was without a tool to assist them. I did point them in the direction of the nearest bike shop (which was only a half mile away), so hopefully they were able to get it fixed up so they could get home.

Oh darn… I guess that means I get to shop for a new bike tool!

[mstone]

Wait, there are people without a small shop’s worth of tools on their bike? How strange.

[huskerdont]

I found out the easy way that it’s a really good idea to carry one and know how to use it. I was way back in Fountainhead by myself when my chain broke and I was in for a long walk, but two guys came by and not only offered me their tool, but when they saw I didn’t know how to do it, they actually fixed it for me. Needless to say, the shame caused me to get a tool and learn to use it.

I think a mini chain tool from Park works better than the little ones on multitools, btw, but they’re better than nothing. The small Park tool (CT-5) will still fit in a saddle bag along with a tube and a multitool.

[dkel]

@huskerdont 137462 wrote:

I think a mini chain tool from Park works better than the little ones on multitools, btw, but they’re better than nothing. The small Park tool (CT-5) will still fit in a saddle bag along with a tube and a multitool.

This! I tried to help someone on the side of the road with my multi-tool chain breaker, and couldn’t get enough leverage on its tiny little handle to get it to do the job. All the while I’m thinking of the small Park tool that I got for shop because it was cheaper than the real shop model, and works just as well.

[Sunyata]

I have two multi tools with chain breakers on them. One is a Crank Brothers and the other is a Hero Kit.

The Crank Brothers tool works okay in a pinch on the side of a trail. But it can be really difficult to get enough leverage to pop a pin out. The Hero Kit works a bit better, IMO, since the “handle” on the chain breaker is longer (it also doubles as a spoke wrench).

Since I will get another one for my commuter (I SUCK at remembering to move tools from one bike/bag to another), any additional recommendations for one with a chain breaker that works well in the field?

[Jason]

The only problem with the CT-5 is Park Tool says its not for 11 speed chains. I carry it only to break the chain in my winter setup (bidon style carrier) along with a quicklink. I wouldnt want to use it to rejoin an 11 speed, so I have an 11 speed compatible for my spring-fall setup on my multitool.

[dkel]

@Jason 138184 wrote:

I carry it only to break the chain in my winter setup (bidon style carrier) along with a quicklink.

(THREADHIJACK) Do you mean you carry your tools in your water bottle cage? I’ve been looking for something like that, but haven’t been satisfied with any container I’ve found online yet. I’d be interested to know what you’re using. (/THREADHIJACK)

[worktheweb]

I have the CT-6.3 in my bag. It folds up to almost nothing and will work for almost any chain you throw at it. Solid tool, too.

[Jason]

NO worries, I am using one of these Elite Byasi in an Arundel plastic bottle cage, should work in any type. They are also now on Amazon for around the same price, but when I ordered they were charging $12 + 9.99 shipping on amazon. The Ebay option was cheaper and easy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351641732466

[Author]

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