Broken chain on the trail.

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nandewar

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I am putting together a tool kit for a tour.
I recently broke my derailleur hours from anywhere and had trouble getting it out of the way so I could push the bike (1 1/2 hours later) to a road.
I didn't have a chain breaker or link pliers. It got me thinking.
If I break a chain on the trail, am I right in thinking that I will need pliers, a joining link AND a chain breaker to remove a full link?
Any ideas on nice light weight tools to pack would be appreciated too.
Cheers.
 
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You can probably get by without a pliers, but you can't get by without a chain breaker and a quick link.

For tools, I like the OneUP EDC tool that fits inside your steerer tube. It has a chain breaker and holds a quick link. On an epic ride, I might carry another quick link, a four-link length of chain, and a tiny pliers that's made specifically for opening quick links.
 
You can open a quick link with a shoelace, but I would probably carry a mini quick link tool if I was doing an epic. Shoelace is last resort! There are lots of small quick link tools, mostly combined with tyre levers, or as above, in an EDC.
 
I just keep an old bit of coiled up brake cable in my toolkit to break quick links. Very similar to the shoe lace idea but usually more effective because theres no give in a break cable. Takes up virtually zero space too.
 
I'm with Rustylron, Oneup EDC tool on steerer tube, I bought it because of chainbraker. No need for pliers to add quick link to broken chain.
 
I take this:
www.topeak.com

POWER LEVER

An ingenious lightweight multifunction tool! Two levers connect to form power link pliers for removing or installing a chain’s master link. Power Lever easily separates into two pieces for use as two tire levers. Integrated chain hook holds chain steady while removing or installing master...
www.topeak.com www.topeak.com
I also carry this mini tool, which can remove a link:
www.topeak.com

MINI 18+

<p>The lightest 20 function mini tool. It packs in a compact, durable package with its own neoprene case. Includes a mini 4 mm Allen key for self-maintenance.</p>
www.topeak.com www.topeak.com

I've used both on the trail, and they'll do the job but you'd would want to use a proper tool when at home.
 
I have the topeak pliers/levers with quick link inside. Do you think having a chain breaker is a must?
 
I have these Tyre levers that double as chainlink pliers. Always used to get by with a small folding plier type multi tool but had to remove the chain one cold and rainy day and could not get the quick link apart with cold hands so went for a proper solution.

The only time I've ever tried to use a chain breaker on a multitool, it broke the tool before the chain so I carry a full sized chain tool.

To be fair, I carry a lot of things. Spare bolts? Yep.
Spare valve? Yep.
Spare gear cable? Yep.
 
i think it was already mentioned, but I also use the One Up EDC tool kit with pliers installed in my EDC pump. This is an awesome set up with little weight penalty over a separate pump/multi tool combo.
 
Fat Rat said:
Im one who always carrys a chain complete in my ruck sack the right length with a quick link
Job done.
Click to expand...
I agree with that. If you break a chain on a ride it may not be repairable and it is so much easier to just replace it with a chain already cut to size. I carry the chain that I previously replaced but for an epic it may be better to carry a brand new one cut to size.
 
Cell4soul said:
i think it was already mentioned, but I also use the One Up EDC tool kit with pliers installed in my EDC pump. This is an awesome set up with little weight penalty over a separate pump/multi tool combo.
Click to expand...
I carry the same pump/tool combo, but my tire valves don’t work properly so I’ve got some cleaning/tire change/maintenance to do before the snow comes …soon!
 
You don't need to remove any existing quick links. Just remove the broken link(s), add a new quick link, move the quick link to the top side of the chain, grab rear brake, light tap on the pedal to lock the quick link in place, and you're good. The only tool you need is a chain breaker and a quick link. I always carry 3 quick links because sh*t happens.
 
RickBullotta said:
You don't need to remove any existing quick links. Just remove the broken link(s), add a new quick link, move the quick link to the top side of the chain, grab rear brake, light tap on the pedal to lock the quick link in place, and you're good. The only tool you need is a chain breaker and a quick link. I always carry 3 quick links because sh*t happens.
Click to expand...
I carry a spare quick link or two. Also some old quick links to give away to those riders who otherwise be stranded by the lack of any quick link at all.
 
RickBullotta said:
You don't need to remove any existing quick links. Just remove the broken link(s), add a new quick link, move the quick link to the top side of the chain, grab rear brake, light tap on the pedal to lock the quick link in place, and you're good. The only tool you need is a chain breaker and a quick link. I always carry 3 quick links because sh*t happens.
Click to expand...
I had a clear out and rearranged the tool pouch I carry in my pack. I had a 9 and 2x 10 speed quick links in there!

That's an unnecessary 7 grams that I've been carrying for ~10 years lol
 
I've been using this tool for a few months, it's unusual to find link pliers, chain breaker and link holder all in one, is a high quality tool. 120mm and light, chain breaker is strong and detachable handle allows good torque on chain breaker.

ride.lezyne.com

MULTI CHAIN PLIERS

Professional grade, versatile bike chain multi-tool for bicycle repairs. The Multi Chain Pliers are constructed from machined aluminum and feature an integrated quick-link tool, chain breaker, valve core tool, bottle opener, rotor aligner, and magnetic holders for up to two spare quick links.
ride.lezyne.com ride.lezyne.com
 
It's already been said but hard to beat the OneUp EDC tool, it has a chain breaker and on top of that you can have the quick link pliers and it holds a spare link. All in your steer tube, it's brilliant.
 
Being a grumpy old cheapskate with a gargantuan ego, I'm not about to pay for a junky chain link tool made in some third-world shack. The Lezyne is super cool, but I'm REALLY not willing to pay for that.

I normally don't carry such flamboyant luxuries, but epic rides require a more robust contingency plan. I had an old channellocks that weren't very useful, so I bobbed the handles and ground the jaws so they would fit inside a chain link. They fit in my tube pouch as if they're not even there. The weight is about that of two Gu Chews.

IMG_8346.jpeg IMG_8347.jpeg
 
theremotejuggernaut said:
I had a clear out and rearranged the tool pouch I carry in my pack. I had a 9 and 2x 10 speed quick links in there!

That's an unnecessary 7 grams that I've been carrying for ~10 years lol
Click to expand...

Think of all those Strava PR's you're missing because of all that extra weight you're carrying...
 
nandewar said:
I am putting together a tool kit for a tour.
I recently broke my derailleur hours from anywhere and had trouble getting it out of the way so I could push the bike (1 1/2 hours later) to a road.
I didn't have a chain breaker or link pliers. It got me thinking.
If I break a chain on the trail, am I right in thinking that I will need pliers, a joining link AND a chain breaker to remove a full link?
Any ideas on nice light weight tools to pack would be appreciated too.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
I struggle to split joining link so carry pliers. Never had this problem before I had 11 speed . Then again if the chain breaks it could be anywhere so you would get away without pliers.
 
Binhill1 said:
I struggle to split joining link so carry pliers. Never had this problem before I had 11 speed . Then again if the chain breaks it could be anywhere so you would get away without pliers.
Click to expand...

My question is why would you need to remove quick link out on the trail?
 
nandewar said:
I am putting together a tool kit for a tour.
I recently broke my derailleur hours from anywhere and had trouble getting it out of the way so I could push the bike (1 1/2 hours later) to a road.
I didn't have a chain breaker or link pliers. It got me thinking.
If I break a chain on the trail, am I right in thinking that I will need pliers, a joining link AND a chain breaker to remove a full link?
Any ideas on nice light weight tools to pack would be appreciated too.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
nandewar said:
I am putting together a tool kit for a tour.
I recently broke my derailleur hours from anywhere and had trouble getting it out of the way so I could push the bike (1 1/2 hours later) to a road.
I didn't have a chain breaker or link pliers. It got me thinking.
If I break a chain on the trail, am I right in thinking that I will need pliers, a joining link AND a chain breaker to remove a full link?
Any ideas on nice light weight tools to pack would be appreciated too.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Best tool is crank brothers

B78BC185-2806-41F1-8CA1-A463B936053E.jpeg
 
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