Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Before I introduce my friend Nils and today’s fix-it, I want to give you all even more props for your mirror recommendations and other suggestions for staying safe out on the road. We’ve run back to back Tech Talks on mirrors, here: https://www.roadbikerider.com/tip-prevent-bicycle-crash/ and here: https://www.roadbikerider.com/top-bicycling-mirrors/ and the comments keep coming in.
That’s a huge help to anyone getting into cycling as well as a potential life-saver for riders who are considering trying a mirror for the first time. Thank you.
Garmin Varia Radar
One thing I meant to point out last week is that there were many positive remarks about Garmin’s Varia system. While it’s not something that lets you look behind, it does electronically track what’s behind you on the road and alert you. Many of you said it’s a game-changer. Though most of you mentioned you use a mirror along with it.
To learn more, RBR’s gear guru Sheri Rosenbaum has reviewed the Garmin Varia RTL515 and RVR315 and also the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus Computer that works with the Varia.
My Friend Nils
I met Nils Tikkanen because we both joined the same racing team about 20 years ago. Since then we’ve ridden together in my van (Nils doesn’t drive) and on bikes a lot. Luckily he’s younger than I am so I’ve never had to race against him.
But, on a training ride we got to talking and I put two and two together and realized that in the 1980s I had actually ridden a lot with another Tikkanen, who it turned out was his dad. At that time we were doing centuries and doubles like the Davis Double and the Terrible Two (both famous Northern California epics), which might explain why Nils is so fast!
Nils’ Tight Chain Link
The problem Nils asked for help with was a stiff chain link, also called a tight link. He had installed a derailleur chain and used the pin in the chain to join it, pushing it in with a chain tool. Joining the chain with its pin created a stiff link and he wasn’t sure how to fix it. Note that his chain did not have a separate connecting pin or a “quick” or “master link” to join it.
When the pin is pushed in it also usually pinches the chain link sideplates so tightly together that the link can no longer flex or pivot like all the other links can. And this can turn it into a stiff or tight link.
Stiff, Tight Links Can Cause Skipping and Even a Crash
The problem with stiff links like this is that they won’t usually loosen on their own. Worse, they create a glitch when pedaling because they get hung up going through the derailleur pulleys and over the cogs and chainrings.
If they’re tight enough they might cause skipping (a sudden lurch in the pedaling), which could surprise you, cause you to come out of your pedals and possibly crash. So, I wanted to help Nils fix it ASAP.
The Right Tool
There are ways you can try to loosen or free a stiff, tight link without tools such as by flexing the chain sideways in your hands. But the safest way to do it (to not risk damaging today’s narrower and narrower chains), is with the right type of chain tool.
What you want is a tool that has two positions for the chain. One position is for pressing the pin into the chain during installation. The other position is for freeing, loosening the stiff link.
The tool I like is Park Tool’s CT-5. It’s a durable tool that works well for chain installation and repair and is small enough to take along as a ride-saver https://amzn.to/3BcLprw. With this tool, to free a tight link, you put the tool on the other side of the chain and put the chain on the link loosening position of the tool.
Then, when the tool’s pin is driven into the chain pin just enough, it separates the sideplates, freeing them and fixing the stiff link so that all’s well again.
This is easier to show than to explain so I made a video for Nils and you.
10,144 Daily Rides in a Row
Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.
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I always fixed a stiff link by grabbing the chain on either side of the stiff link and bending the chain slightly from side to side. Always worked and didn’t require trying to put a chain tool on the other side of the chain, which can be a pain.
Hi Tony,
Yes, from about 1970 to 1989 or thereabouts that’s how all we mechanics loosened tight links. But chains have changed a lot in the decades since. If you watch my video, in the end I explain that chain makers do not recommend doing that to chains anymore. Now that we’ve got so many super narrow chains out there it’s possible by flexing the chain forcefully to push a sideplate slightly off a pin, which can lead to a chain breaking on a ride – you don’t want that because you can crash.
But, a lot of chains now use “quick” or “master” links for joining and before that ,some used special pins for joining. Both are/were designed not to create stiff links. Though with the special pins you could still get a stiff link if you didn’t install it quite right.
Also, that technique of flexing the chain doesn’t always work, which is where the chain tool comes in.
Thanks,
Jim
Jim,
Thanks – I’ve never heard that before, and I have been using that method for years (sorry, didn’t watch the video). Luckily, I’ve never broken a chain while riding, so I guess I’ve been lucky. Just saw there is now a master link for Shimano 10-speed chains (I always used the special pin in the past). I’ll be switching to those for any future chains.
Tony
If Nils used a pin ‘in the chain’ to install the chain and it was a 9/10/11 speed he might need to use the OEM (Shimano…) pin instead.
Aren’t these or a quick link the correct fitment???
The OEM pins snap off after installation; pins driven out of narrow chains typically shouldn’t be reused.
5/6/7/8 speed would be OK.
Thanks for the suggestion, Philip, but Nils chain was just like in the video – an “old fashioned” chain just joined with one of the pins in the chain not a separate pin for joining (it’s a 9-speed chain). That’s how chains were joined for decades and how some still are. So it’s good to know about the chain tools with the two positions.
Thanks!
Jim
Jim, Thanks. Never knew why those tools were set up that way! BTW Just bought a pair of those gloves. I’ve been looking for something more durable that can handle the grease etc from working on my bikes. Finding the latex-style gloves just seem to tear and are hard to get on. Perhaps you could do a segment on gloves….?
I wear mechanic gloves (specifically Mechanix brand) with mesh on the non-palm side. They are at least 3 years old and they haven’t needed replacement – and I wrench more days than not. Very satisfied. I purchased mine from an auto parts store, but I see Harbor Freight has similar gloves. Actually, Harbor Freight has a lot of handy things to keep bikes in good shape.
Thanks, Chris. Please see Katharine’s comment. I haven’t tried Mechanix gloves but will when I buy another pair since she likes them so much.
Thanks for the tip, Katharine,
Jim
Awesome How-To video Jim…thanks!
Thanks a lot, Matt!
Appreciate it,
Jim
Just a quick addition…on many chains, it is much harder to see/find again the pin that was pushed into the chain (not a noticeably different color as in the video). So, before installing the pin, I always mark the pin position link with a white or visable colored marker so that I can find it again and make sure it is free.
Also, if the chain is not free, I just use a standard chain breaker tool to slightly work the pin back and forth as needed to find the “sweet” spot.
Thanks Jim,
Good video and great idea. Like others, I’ve wiggled chains laterally to free up a link, but never used the chain tool to push the pin back the other way.
Great idea!
Harold