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    Do i need this?

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    25 Comments

    1. TheVermonster on

      You can do it with a piece of string, as long as it’s thin enough to go between the rollers. It’s not easy, but how many times are you expecting to need to do it?

    3. fire__munki on

      Not to put a new quick link in, you can close it by having the link at the top before the big ring and then holding rear brake and pressing on the pedal.

    4. DestroyedByLSD25 on

      You can get a lightweight CNC missing link tool from ZTTO on AliExpress. I recommend it.

      Some of my missing links are worn enough I can open and close them by hand.

    6. ChromMann on

      You can also pack an extra link and close it without a tool if your chain breaks. Opening it without a tool is quite difficult but for a trip that short I wouldn’t worry about it.

    7. MotorBet234 on

      I definitely prefer to carry chain pliers (and a chain breaker) with me on trips, but I would never carry a full-sized shop version like that. I like the Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers, or I’ve got a pair of tire levers from Granite Design that double as chain pliers and take up minimal additional space.

    8. albert_pacino on

      You only need that tool to open and close a quick link. You only need to open a quick link really when you are replacing a worn chain. To close a quick link you can position the quick link on the top of the chain line, hold the brakes and put forward pressure on the pedal. This is a tool for a bike shop or home mechanic not for the road. I would however recommend a good bike multitool with a chain breaker. Plus before you go learn how to use it. It’s easy but better learned when you are at home.

    9. arana_cc on

      Does your multitool have a chain rivet tool? If yes I’d carry an extra chain lock or two and skip on the opener. You should definitely bring a chain lock in case your chain snaps or so.

    10. PNW_Bearded_cyclist on

      Wolf tooth also makes a multi-tool with magnetic holder for links and a hex head/torx head. It’s much lighter and not as bulky.

    11. SafetyTraditional395 on

      I never had a snapped Chain in the last 50.000km. I don’t think you will need it. Also, the nearest bike Shop usually is not far away. I had a snapped rear derailleur once. Broke in two pieces on a climb. No tool would have fixed it. I usually only carry spare brake pads and oil.

    12. Gorignak on

      A lot of multi tools have a chain breaker built in. Then stick a spare quick link and you’re good, no pliers needed

    14. Sohn_Jalston_Raul on

      I only take tools like this on *some* trips. For short trips that are just a few days long (and within no more than a few hours’ drive from home in case someone needs to come rescue me) I just bring the necessary tools to fix a flat and replace a broken cable. I only bring more advanced tools like for replacing a chain or broken spokes on longer trips where I’m going further from civilization. But it also depends on your comfort levels. If being sufficiently equipped to deal with any mechanical breakdown eases your anxiety and lets you enjoy the trip, and you don’t mind carrying extra weight, then by all means bring whatever makes your trip work!

    15. Rare-Classic-1712 on

      No. You can open your quick links with a piece of cord and a stick/wrench. Have a section of thin yet decently strong cord (6″/16cm should do the trick) and push between the inner plates and loop it over the rollers of both ends of the quick link. Tie a knot and push a stick or Allen wrench through the loop. Twist the stick/Allen wrench/other improvised lever thing around and around until it opens the quick link. To close a quick link have the quick link between the chainring and cassette on top and push down on a pedal. Make sure that the bike isn’t able to roll forward by having an obstacle keeping it from rolling or squeezing the brake. For home the quick link tool is what I’d greatly prefer. If the trip was particularly rugged or involved a lot of carrying your bike over obstacles thus making weight critical I’d save the weight by the lightweight improvised tool I described.

    18. Singletrack-Red5 on

      You can do this with a shoelace in a pinch, and I’ve also done it with a gear cable…but I always carry a the tool as a bike guide, as snapping chains under load is a VERY common thing to do. Just because someone says that they have “never snapped a chain” doesn’t mean it’s not common! I guarantee you it is – I have to repair one most weeks in my groups…and they are all on high end nice gear too.

      The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence 😆

    19. Nervous_Green4783 on

      You don’t need it to close the link. Just block the rear wheel by applying the brake and apply force to the paddle (a small gear would help).

      For opening you presumably can use a string like a shoe lace

    21. itsthesoundofthe on

      No.
      For the next trip you can a combine plastic tyre lever and quick link pliers. 

    22. QuattroCreep on

      This is always in my mtb kit. Use it about once or twice a year on the trails. Oddly enough never on my bike it is always a friend’s bike or a random other trail user that gets the mechanical.

      https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/products/pack-pliers?variant=6034721079331&country=US&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17178497487&gbraid=0AAAAACraZvvVcVI3fHYACyUqE0ptbrLQ3&gclid=Cj0KCQiAg63LBhDtARIsAJygHZ4XLlH1OuenQJnaUnsOEBbezzqwdwC1MTKiJdDgQrxkuxh9EA1ptI8aAjVjEALw_wcB

    23. WWWagedDude on

      I run the mini version of this. Also ordered mine from Ali. Because wolf tooth thinks it’s worth like 50 dollars – it’s like 3 from china. I like it because it stores a master link in it and serves as a Presta valve remover also. 

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