Maintaining your bicycle often involves tasks that require precision and the right tools. Among these, adjusting or replacing your bike chain is a common necessity. While improvisation might seem appealing, using a dedicated Bike Chain Breaker (also known as a chain tool) is undeniably the most effective, safest, and most professional method for this job. This article delves into why a bike chain breaker is indispensable for any cyclist who prefers to handle their own bike maintenance, and what can happen when you have to resort to less suitable alternatives.
Imagine you’re setting up a brand-new chain. Fresh out of the box, bike chains are typically longer than needed to fit a wide variety of bicycles. Therefore, shortening it to the correct length for your specific bike is almost always required. The bike chain breaker tool is designed precisely for this purpose. It allows you to effortlessly and accurately remove chain pins, enabling you to shorten the chain link by link until it’s the perfect size.
Furthermore, if you’re dealing with an old, worn-out chain that wasn’t installed with a convenient connector link (also known as a quick link or master link), a bike chain breaker becomes essential for its removal. While alternative methods exist, they often carry risks of damaging the chain or even causing injury.
Recently, I encountered a situation that perfectly highlighted the importance of carrying your own reliable tools. I was helping a friend with bike maintenance at their garage, and we discovered that their chain tool was broken. It was unable to push out a chain pin, rendering it useless for both removing the old chain and shortening the new replacement.
The old chain unfortunately lacked a quick link. In this predicament, necessity dictated improvisation. A cable cutter, the only suitable tool at hand, became the makeshift chain removal device. (Ideally, a grinder with a cutting wheel would have been a more efficient alternative, but that wasn’t available).
For shortening the new chain, we had to resort to a more rudimentary approach. Using a hammer and a nail sinker tool, I carefully pushed out the chain pin. To provide support and a space for the pin to exit, the chain was positioned over a bench vise with slightly open jaws. This created a small gap for the pin to fall into as it was hammered out. (In similar past situations without a vise, I’ve successfully used a blunt nail and positioned the chain over anything with a small hole or gap).
Once the chain was shortened to the correct length, installation was straightforward thanks to the quick connector that was included with the new chain.
Without a quick connector, rejoining the chain after shortening would have presented a significantly greater challenge. It is possible – I’ve managed it before using large pliers – but it demands considerable patience and care.
While these makeshift methods can work in a pinch, they underscore the value of a proper bike chain breaker. Attempting chain work without the right tool is significantly more difficult and carries a higher risk of damaging the chain, especially the crucial parts you intend to reuse.
This experience served as a personal reminder: when offering to perform bike maintenance away from my own workshop, carrying my own set of essential tools, including a reliable bike chain breaker, is not just convenient—it’s essential for ensuring a smooth and successful repair. Investing in a good quality bike chain breaker is a worthwhile investment for any cyclist committed to maintaining their bike’s performance and longevity.
