Favourite workshop chainbreaker

[Thoglette]

After decades of use & abuse the threads in my chainbreaker have given up the ghost.

Now, before I go & buy the default replacement (the most massive on Parktools make) I thought I’d pose the question:

What’s the best workshop grade chain breaker out there?

[WyvernRH]

After decades of use & abuse the threads in my chainbreaker have given up the ghost.

Now, before I go & buy the default replacement (the most massive on Parktools make) I thought I’d pose the question:

What’s the best workshop grade chain breaker out there?

For the workshop my first choice are the Park Chain CT-2 breaker/joiner pliers. I've had these for probably the best part of 30 years now and have used them regularly. Prior to that I had (still have) a pair of Hozan chain pliers which were good but a pain to get replacement pins.
I have recently acquired the grandaddy of them all, a pair of retro Gian Robert chain pliers for the princely sum of $10. These work just as well as I remember from the 70's but I haven't tried them on 11/12 speed chain.

So, I like chain pliers - quick and easy to use and adjust, especially for re-installing pins. Often available cheap second hand as folk don't know what they are. The Park CT-2 are the best BUT I can't find them on their website anymore.

Unior seem to make a clone of the Hozan tool but I haven't used it myself.
https://www.bicyclehero.com/au/unior-ch ... gJuW_D_BwE

For a 'normal' type chain breaker I have a Cyclo Workshop breaker tool which has proved unbustable when called on. Again, sorry but I'm not sure if it is still available new as I've had it forever and I can't remember if it was new when I got it. Can still get replacement pins tho and it seems to work fine with modern chains.

Richard

[Thoglette]

For the workshop my first choice are the Park Chain CT-2 breaker/joiner pliers. I've had these for probably the best part of 30 years now and have used them regularly.

Well, speak of learning something new everyday. I've never run into pliers before.

Thanks for the leads: I'm off shopping!!

[redsonic]

I have an older version of the Pedros Tutto II Chain tool. Originally recommended by someone on BNA. Very happy with it. It's an eyewatering price at Bikebug now though.

[WyvernRH]

I have an older version of the Pedros Tutto II Chain tool. Originally recommended by someone on BNA. Very happy with it. It's an eyewatering price at Bikebug now though.

Ye Gods.... - You were not joking about the price!
And I thought Park Tools were expensive...

Looks a nice piece of kit tho .

Richard

[jasonc]

bought one of these quite a few years ago. very happy

ct-3.2 ct-3.3 are the latest offerings

[Mr Purple]

In a similar vein does anyone recommend a decent quicklink tool?

I cheaped out and bought one that absolutely does not do the job.

[Arbuckle23]

I use a Giant Chain breaker I bought a couple of years back. Nice and solid, does the home chain shortening job

And for Mr Purple, I use quick link pliers on bought from Cycling Deal. Picked them up from the Dandenong warehouse when they did that instead of on line only. Work well, not bent yet

[jaseyjase]

another option

[jasonc]

In a similar vein does anyone recommend a decent quicklink tool?

I cheaped out and bought one that absolutely does not do the job.

Again, Park Tool

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product ... rs-mlp-1-2
Allows you to lock and unlock quick links. Some of the cheap ones only allow you to unlock

[warthog1]

In a similar vein does anyone recommend a decent quicklink tool?

I cheaped out and bought one that absolutely does not do the job.

Again, Park Tool

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product ... rs-mlp-1-2
Allows you to lock and unlock quick links. Some of the cheap ones only allow you to unlock

Got that one too. Does the job.

[biker jk]

In a similar vein does anyone recommend a decent quicklink tool?

I cheaped out and bought one that absolutely does not do the job.

Again, Park Tool

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product ... rs-mlp-1-2
Allows you to lock and unlock quick links. Some of the cheap ones only allow you to unlock

I find the Super B easier to use to instal quick links (squeezing the handles rather than pulling with the Park) but use the Park to remove.

https://www.superbiketool.com/en/produc ... ls/TB_3323

[WyvernRH]

In a similar vein does anyone recommend a decent quicklink tool?

I cheaped out and bought one that absolutely does not do the job.

I find the Super B easier to use to instal quick links (squeezing the handles rather than pulling with the Park) but use the Park to remove.

https://www.superbiketool.com/en/produc ... ls/TB_3323

I was an early adopter of quicklinks and I bought the only tool available back then which was a Topeak Powerlink plier. Still have it 20-odd years later, still works. Have to say it is not cheap these days tho ($40-$50) for what it is. I reckon the Bikehand tool is just as good at half the price.
The Topeak only does opening but I've never found a need for the install option, you just position the quick link on the top chain run, tap the pedal and it clicks in. Having said that, that Super B tool looks very clever the way it includes the install option!

As an aside I have one of those small palm-sized chain link pliers that fits in my touring toolkit and they have never had a problem opening a quick link.

Richard

[warthog1]

I've never found a need for the install option, you just position the quick link on the top chain run, tap the pedal and it clicks in. Having said that, that Super B tool looks very clever the way it includes the install option!

Richard

If you are reusing quick links, using the tool gives an indication of how positively the quick link snaps together.
It is easier also imo as the chain is installed with the ends at the bottom.

[jasonc]

I've never found a need for the install option, you just position the quick link on the top chain run, tap the pedal and it clicks in. Having said that, that Super B tool looks very clever the way it includes the install option!

Richard

If you are reusing quick links, using the tool gives an indication of how positively the quick link snaps together.
It is easier also imo as the chain is installed with the ends at the bottom.

works better with wax on the links too

[WyvernRH]

I've never found a need for the install option, you just position the quick link on the top chain run, tap the pedal and it clicks in. Having said that, that Super B tool looks very clever the way it includes the install option!

Richard

If you are reusing quick links, using the tool gives an indication of how positively the quick link snaps together.
It is easier also imo as the chain is installed with the ends at the bottom.

Good point, the 'feel' would be better with a tool but not being a chain waxer I don't remove the chain that often.
I always assemble the quick link in the lower chain (which for sure is a lot easier) and then run it around to the top run to be snapped into place. Not a problem these days AFAIK, but some of the early ones were directional, so this action also let you check that you had the link the right way around.

Richard

PS if we are being really basic about it, a pair of needle-nose pliers can do the uninstall/install job perfectly well - with a bit of care No responsibility taken for nipped fingers or bent chains... Specialist tools do the job better and quicker obviously.

[CmdrBiggles]

PS if we are being really basic about it, a pair of needle-nose pliers can do the uninstall/install job perfectly well - with a bit of care No responsibility taken for nipped fingers or bent chains... Specialist tools do the job better and quicker obviously.

They will indeed do the job well! But quick link chains do not, in wide practice, require a tool: just glove up, draw the chain into a loop with the QL at the top, grip and push to unlink, then relax the chain and unthread — job done!

BBB makes the better model of the chain unlink tools, at half the price. I have a very early model chain unlinker from Shimano — no idea when it was last used (probably 10+ years ago replacing the chain on the since-disposed MTB).

[CmdrBiggles]

PS if we are being really basic about it, a pair of needle-nose pliers can do the uninstall/install job perfectly well - with a bit of care No responsibility taken for nipped fingers or bent chains... Specialist tools do the job better and quicker obviously.

They will indeed do the job well! Surgical bent-nose forceps can also be used, albeit requiring more dexterity!
But quick link chains do not, in wide practice, require a tool for the task: just glove up, draw the chain into a loop with the QL at the top, grip and push to unlink, then relax the chain and unthread — job done!

BBB makes the better model of the chain unlink tools, at half the price. I have a very early model chain unlinker from Shimano — rusty and stiff from hanging up in the previous home's outdoor shed; no idea when it was last used (probably 14+ years ago, replacing the chain on the since-disposed MTB).

[Mr Purple]

I find the Super B easier to use to instal quick links (squeezing the handles rather than pulling with the Park) but use the Park to remove.

https://www.superbiketool.com/en/produc ... ls/TB_3323

I'm inclined to go with one of the 'three part' tools for this reason.

The cheapy one I had only had two, and removing the quick link was no issue. Pulling to install the new one just led to the rubber grips falling off.

My logical solution was just to ride the bike up the driveway. Which definitely worked!

[Thoglette]

PS if we are being really basic about it, a pair of needle-nose pliers can do the uninstall/install job perfectly well - with a bit of care No responsibility taken for nipped fingers or bent chains...

Or links flying across the room and disappearing somewhere

[WyvernRH]

They will indeed do the job well! But quick link chains do not, in wide practice, require a tool: just glove up, draw the chain into a loop with the QL at the top, grip and push to unlink, then relax the chain and unthread — job done!

Erm, well yes - this is the Rambo version of quicklink removal and was the 'standard' method back in the beginning of days. However, it doesn't work well with all makes of the current generation of quicklinks and some folk can't do it at all (despite several demonstrations ) for whatever reasons. To be truthful, it is a bit like cracking nuts with your hands - you can do it but why bother....

PS if we are being really basic about it, a pair of needle-nose pliers can do the uninstall/install job perfectly well - with a bit of care No responsibility taken for nipped fingers or bent chains...

Or links flying across the room and disappearing somewhere

Bin there...


Richard

[CmdrBiggles]

They will indeed do the job well! But quick link chains do not, in wide practice, require a tool: just glove up, draw the chain into a loop with the QL at the top, grip and push to unlink, then relax the chain and unthread — job done!

Erm, well yes - this is the Rambo version of quicklink removal and was the 'standard' method back in the beginning of days. However, it doesn't work well with all makes of the current generation of quicklinks and some folk can't do it at all (despite several demonstrations ) for whatever reasons. To be truthful, it is a bit like cracking nuts with your hands - you can do it but why bother....

What??
"Rambo version"??

Do I, a lightly-built Irishman, look like a Rambo ... to you??
All the spuds in the perfumed uplands of Éire will not make me a Rambo! I'm stuck looking like a featherweight string-bean...

Long before quick unlinks became popular fodder for the cycling masses, we did it with our bare hands! The QUL on my MTB is a fashionable blue colour. The QUL on my uber-shiny SRAM chain is a distinctly different shape as the rest of the chain. I think SRAM recommends their device is a single-use QUL ( )

[WyvernRH]

What??
"Rambo version"??

Do I, a lightly-built Irishman, look like a Rambo ... to you??
All the spuds in the perfumed uplands of Éire will not make me a Rambo! I'm stuck looking like a featherweight string-bean...

Long before quick unlinks became popular fodder for the cycling masses, we did it with our bare hands! The QUL on my MTB is a fashionable blue colour. The QUL on my uber-shiny SRAM chain is a distinctly different shape as the rest of the chain. I think SRAM recommends their device is a single-use QUL ( )

Well OK... how about ' the Cú Chulainn version of quick link removal '

But, I agree, mostly you don't need a tool if you have the knack and don't mind getting your hands dirty.

Richard