Taking a Shimano Chain Off and Read Der sprockets

scottreynolds

Okay so I have a Campag bike and when I take the chain off that i need, at the reccomendation of Campag, to get a new HD link for it.

1 - With shimano where do I 'break' the chain and put it back together or does it not matter? I ask cause I want to soak a few little bits in degreaser.

2 - Whats the best way to really clean the rear sprockets on my der. I was thingking about removing the der and soaking it in degreaser or just reqmoving the rear sprockets from the der... any reccomendations.

Gavin

You can use a SRAM powerlink on the chain. If it's 9 speed it's reusable. 10speed and it's a one off.

To clean the jockey wheels, remove one, clean it, put it back on and then remove the other. Easiest way to do it.

blorg

With Shimano you can break it anywhere with the chain tool, you just need to use a special joining pin when putting it back together. You get two included with each chain generally so you have a spare after you put the chain on first (you won't have this obviously if you didn't put the current chain on yourself.)

Alternatively you can use a SRAM Powerlink or KMC actually do a 10 speed one that is reusable, or so I believe- my Litespeed came with a KMC link on a Dura Ace chain, haven't tried taking it off yet but may well do so to give it a proper clean after that muckfest.

Gavin

blorg wrote: »

KMC actually do a 10 speed one that is reusable

Ah ! Very good, I'll have to get one of them! 10speed no longer has any disadvantage for me.

CheGuedara

I use them KMC ones myself - very handy and would totally recommend

Surrender

You can always put the pin back in using the link remover (Just don't push the pin out all the way, leaving it attached out on the far side of the link)
but you need to stretch the chain a bit after at that point as it will be stiff after applying pressure to that particular link.

I'd only attempt that if you don't have a Powerlink handy.

blorg

Surrender wrote: »

You can always put the pin back in using the link remover (Just don't push the pin out all the way, leaving it attached out on the far side of the link)

The general consensus I gather with at least the narrower chains that you should NOT attempt to rejoin them with a normal rivet except in case of emergency. Apparently if you break the chain and rejoin with a normal rivet the chain will have a much higher likelihood of breaking at that rivet in the future.

I have joined a 7 speed chain using the method you describe though and it has been fine.

scottreynolds

Thanks guys.... Can I just remove the pin and use these -- http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=186

6.99 seems a high price for the KMC ones. I have a brand new chain but my bike needs a full proper clean.

the description on the chain reaction sit for the SRAM POWERLINK says the 10-speed is only designed to close once -- which seems silly.

scottreynolds

CheGuedara wrote: »

I use them KMC ones myself - very handy and would totally recommend

How do you break the chain with these links then ?

blorg

scottreynolds wrote: »

How do you break the chain with these links then ?

Pliers or even manually if you are good. Park have a specially shaped pliers that makes it even easier.

Basically the reason to go with the KMC is if you reckon you will be taking your chain off and putting it back on regularly. Otherwise the Shimano pin system works absolutely fine.

scottreynolds

Okay -- the new dura ace chain has a power link style device on it -- Worldwide cycles told me to leave the chain on and not break it since it will reduce the strength of the chain.

I'll just clean it on the bike but do the other parts off the bike like pulley wheels.

CheGuedara

scottreynolds wrote: »

How do you break the chain with these links then ?

If you use the KMC or Wipperman (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=5159) splitting links it's a doddle - I've used both and there's not much of a muchness between them TBH, I've never had one fail on me in anycase. As the Wipperman is cheaper I'd probably go for that one right now just for that reason.

Break the chain with a chain breaker (a special one isn't absolutely necessary for Capag 10spd despite what they may say - I've done this with a new record chain and it's fine) so that you remove one set of outer plates. Now put the new splitting links on, fit the chain, cycle and when you want to break the chain in future take the strain off the chain (take off the rear wheel if you want to make it really easy) and its just a case of pushing the chain together to get the link to split again. QED:D

blorg

scottreynolds wrote: »

Thanks guys.... Can I just remove the pin and use these -- http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=186

I _think_ you are meant to remove a normal link (any link) and replace with a pin, e.g. don't remove the existing connecting pin and replace it with another pin. That is how I do it anyway.

the description on the chain reaction sit for the SRAM POWERLINK says the 10-speed is only designed to close once -- which seems silly.

It's a bit easier to fit than the Shimano pin, pretty idiot proof and you don't need any tools (although you need a chain breaker to shorten the chain on first installation anyway.) The Shimano system is easy enough too but there are some rules as to which way around you have to put in the pin, the connecting pin needs to lead the chain when engaging the sprockets. All of these details are included in the chain instruction manual (yes Shimano chains come with detailed instruction manuals ) or here on the Park site.

scottreynolds

okay.............. I'll see how it all goes.

Chips Lovell

Gavin wrote: »

To clean the jockey wheels, remove one, clean it, put it back on and then remove the other. Easiest way to do it.

How many times have I removed jockey wheels and then spend ages faffing around aligning the plate to get them on again and I never thought of this? Excellent tip. Thanks.