It very well may be my cheap-o chain tool from the local sporting goods store. Tomorrow I’m going the bike shop to get a decent one. But is there another reason? Trying to pop out the circled link. All the torque I could muster on the little lever was only enough to get the link jammed. The pin moved maybe a millimeter and after that won’t budge. It’s a kmc x8.
by OkStation4360
11 Comments
The tool could be pushing it at an angle but usually it takes a some force then it will “pop” and then push out easy the rest of the way.
That dimple makes a strong river head, and yes, it’s your cheap chain tool.
I had no problems breaking x8 chain with my cheap chain breaker tool, but some are ok, some aren’t. If you need to shortnen a new chain you can do it with a hammer and a nail or hex bit. Some cheap chain breakers are just crap and pretty useless
Wear some gloves by doing this, you have more grip and you create more power on the tool. All chains can break, a good tool is a must have, the longer the lever, the better
Post a picture of your chain breaker you are using
I did that with my 12s chain, m19 multitool helped me. It has not a good tool, but two layers of the fabric, more power and voila, you hear this click
Modern peened cycle chains take more force to move a pin than older/cheaper straight pin chains, The end of the pins are rounded over to overlap the plate which makes a stronger chain. if you only have a cheap chain tool unless your name is The Hulk you will probably struggle.
Perhaps a previous pin is still inside the curtain breaker tool and is blocking it.
Make sure your pin isn’t bent and hitting the plate or pushing at an angle
Never had an issue with an 8 speed chain
Apply more brute force and ignorance, if that doesn’t work, use an impact.
If that doesn’t work, use an angle grinder
I haven’t seen anyone mentioning it here so let me tell you this.
Put some grease on the treads of your chain cutting tool. It makes a world of difference.
I bought a decent quality cutter from Decathlon and experienced the same thing and I guess the same brand chain. Noticed there’s considerable amount of friction and heard a faint creaking. Putting some grease on the tread let me go through the previously unbreakable chain link pin like butter.
I hope it helps.