[BenR]

Hi, I have a shimano chain and was curious what tools I would need in case it were to break...I believe I could put it together shorter and keep it on med. to lower gears...just curious on what tool would be needed...thanks..

 

[Call_me_Al]

To start with, you would need a chain tool. For a quick fix, you could use a SRAM quick link, powerlink, or whatever the thing is called. for a permanent fix you would need a special replacement (shimano specific) chain pin, and likely a new link if you messed that up.

 

[emtnate]

You'll need a chain tool and some replacement shimano pins.

 

[BenR]

Thanks, I do have a chain tool. I wanted to know if I needed something in addition to get out of the woods if my chain breaks. Sounds like I need to pick up some pins. It was explained to me I could do it all with a chain tool, but it did not sound right. Thanks for the help...Ben

 

[emtnate]

other brands of chain would not require anything except a chain tool. as far as i know, only shimano uses disposable pins.

 

[cgreen9761]

I have pulled old pins out of the middle of broken links and used them successfully when in a pinch. I wouldn't recommend it for long term use though. The "pulled" pins aren't constructed the same as the replacement pins and it can weaken the link you put them into. If you are running an 8 speed chain, just get an SRAM quick link and keep it in your bag. I know form experience that an 8 speed quick link WILL fit a shimano 8 speed chain perfectly. I have been told that a 9 speed quick link WILL NOT work on a 9 speed shimano chain, though. I don't have experience on the 9 speed issue though. When I changed gearing I stated using SRAM chains only. Good riding.

 

[Call_me_Al]

I have been told that a 9 speed quick link WILL NOT work on a 9 speed shimano chain, though. I don't have experience on the 9 speed issue though. When I changed gearing I stated using SRAM chains only. Good riding.

I was told the same thing by a shop who sells Shimano, and then another shop that sells SRAM told me it would work. I tend to trust the opinion of the second shop more, so I went ahead and tried it. Haven't had any problems.

 

[EnglishT]

Generally its better to stick to what they advertise they can do though - the SRAM links dont claim to fit shimano chains...

The KMC "magiclink" does claim to fit shimano, sram and ofcourse their own.


Personally, I wont go back to sram or shimano chains now, its KMC all the way

 

[JonathanGennick]

I was told the same thing by a shop who sells Shimano, and then another shop that sells SRAM told me it would work. I tend to trust the opinion of the second shop more, so I went ahead and tried it. Haven't had any problems.

I run SRAM Powerlinks on several Shimano chains. They work just fine. I've not had any trouble at all with 'em.

I do keep some spare, Shimano pins around, sort of as a "just in case" measure, but I've installed either 8- or 9-speed Powerlinks on all my families bikes now.

 

[crisillo]

I have been told that a 9 speed quick link WILL NOT work on a 9 speed shimano chain, though. I don't have experience on the 9 speed issue though. When I changed gearing I stated using SRAM chains only. Good riding.

wrong .... I have been running LX, XT and XTR 9 speed chains with sram powerlinks (the gold 9 speed ones) for years now... they work great!

 

[crisillo]

I run SRAM Powerlinks on several Shimano chains. They work just fine. I've not had any trouble at all with 'em.

I do keep some spare, Shimano pins around, sort of as a "just in case" measure, but I've installed either 8- or 9-speed Powerlinks on all my families bikes now.

ditto!

 

[Call_me_Al]

Generally its better to stick to what they advertise they can do though - the SRAM links dont claim to fit shimano chains...

The KMC "magiclink" does claim to fit shimano, sram and ofcourse their own.

Personally, I wont go back to sram or shimano chains now, its KMC all the way

So how is it that the KMC link will fit all brands, whereas the SRAM link (which is likely almost the same as the KMC) will only work with SRAM chains? I think SRAM just wants you to buy their chains. I'm mean, how different can you make two standard-sized metal plates that are held together by two standard-sized pins?

 

[EnglishT]

So how is it that the KMC link will fit all brands, whereas the SRAM link (which is likely almost the same as the KMC) will only work with SRAM chains? I think SRAM just wants you to buy their chains. I'm mean, how different can you make two standard-sized metal plates that are held together by two standard-sized pins?

I know what you mean, and I suspect thats the reasoning behind SRAM not claiming theirs fits all kinds of chain.

I'll not go back to SRAM or Shimano chains though - the KMC ones seem to last so much longer (for me) at the same pricepoints - so I see no reason to switch away from them.

For many people, having the packet say it will work is just as important as the fact that it will....

 

[rlouder]

I looked this up recently, but may get it mixed up. Look it up yourself to see which one is different. Either the 8 or 9 speed sram chain is 1/64" narrower in width than the KMC and Shimano. The other size is the same width (8 or 9). That's the reason the KMC link will work with either.

edit - It's the 8 speed chains that are different widths.

 

[Call_me_Al]

I looked this up recently, but may get it mixed up. Look it up yourself to see which one is different. Either the 8 or 9 speed sram chain is 1/64" narrower in width than the KMC and Shimano. The other size is the same width (8 or 9). That's the reason the KMC link will work with either.

edit - It's the 8 speed chains that are different widths.

here is what I found:

9 speed
KMC 6.6mm
SRAM 6.9mm
Shimano 6.6mm

8 speed
KMC 7.1mm
SRAM 7.1mm
Shimano 7.4mm

this is really unrelated to the OP's question, rlouder just made me curious to find out what differences there are. these might not be right, though, because i pulled them from various sources

 

[eatdrinkride]

just to reiterate....both 9sp and 8spd shimano chains are completely compatible with sram powerlinks. I have been using the 9sp powerlink on xtr chains for over 2 years. So have thousands of others.