I had a bike shop install install a new cassette and chain. I noticed a clicking noise when pedaling and realized that a chain link is stiff. I already tried to bend it back and forth for a while, but its not coming loose. I have a chain tool. Should I try to push the connecting rivet back out slightly or do I risk breaking it?
Im on a tour so I cant really take it back to the shop.
An alternative could be to remove this link and install a quick link, but Im not sure if its possible to remove the connecting rivet.
by JonathanRendel
4 Comments
It’s totally possible to remove the rivet. You did try bending it left and right a bit? In that case, yeah, you can try to push it out a bit.
The chain tool pushes the pins out, it’s the correct tool to use, then add a quick link. I’d personally never ever run a pushed-back-in pin on a chain, always a quick link. The quick link replaces the *outer* plates, you need to expose 2 inner plates on each end.
Remove the plates for the stuck link and replace with quick link, The pins will always push out with a chain breaker tool.
Quick link avoids needing a chain-breaker tool, you can undo the chain with needle nosed pliers in a pinch.
You might free the link by applying the chain breaker on the opposite side of the chain by a fraction of a mm and giving it a wiggle, you want to ensure the pin remains flush with the plates but frees up the linkage. Quick link is the most foolproof, you dont wont to bodge it and end up with a broken link in your new chain.
I managed to fix it. I first tried to push the connecting rivet out slightly, but that only made it worse. So i pushed it back in fully and that made it loose.
I guess the bike shop didnt push it in all the way.
I usually use a quick link when installing chains, but in this case I let the bike shop do it out of convenience.