What tools needed for chain change?

lemonade · 12 May 2017 at 12:22

My bike chain is nearly a year old with around 2000 miles on it, its KMC Z8, it still got a bit life left on it, but I am going to buy a new chain to prepare for the change.

What tools do I need for the job? The chain I will be buying is a KMC Z8 or equivalent again.

If anyone has recommendations would appreciate too, preferably under £10.

CHeers

touch · 12 May 2017 at 12:38

Just a chain tool. Dont get one of the really cheap ones - they are terrible.
PlanetX one is pretty good.

BennyC · 12 May 2017 at 13:00

If you don't already have a quick link fitted you'll need a chain breaker too.

Otherwise just a set of chain link pliers (or a standard set ground down) and a new quick link :cool:

touch · 12 May 2017 at 13:02

I think all KMC chain come with a quick link?
You'll still need a chain tool to cut the new chain down to length before fitting it with the new quick link.
Chain link pliers would be helpful though - but not absolutely essential.

Vonhelmet · 12 May 2017 at 13:09

May as well get a chain wear tool while you're at it, so you can keep on top of checking how things are going.

And yes, all KMC chains that I know of come with quick links, so unless the person who fitted it was mental and decided not to use one, you should be fine.

lemonade · 12 May 2017 at 15:49

Thanks guys, the bike is only a year old and was bought new, so its on the chain that was fitted from factory or shop, KMC Z8. I will be buying a similar one again: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-z8s-7-8-speed-chain/rp-prod46601

So just to confirm for tools all I need is these two?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPTR/jobsworth-pro-chain-remover
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPMLP/jobsworth-pro-master-chain-link-pliers

I already have a chain wear tool.

UTmaniac · 12 May 2017 at 17:21

lemonade said:
Thanks guys, the bike is only a year old and was bought new, so its on the chain that was fitted from factory or shop, KMC Z8. I will be buying a similar one again: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-z8s-7-8-speed-chain/rp-prod46601

So just to confirm for tools all I need is these two?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPTR/jobsworth-pro-chain-remover
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPMLP/jobsworth-pro-master-chain-link-pliers

I already have a chain wear tool.

Just bare in mind that PX charge at least £3.95 for delivery, unless your basket is over £100, so those two Jobsorth tools will really cost you ~£18 if bought alone.

Whereas, for example, you could buy the Park Tools equivalent for ~£21 delivered from Chain Reaction. And if you have British Cycling membership, you get a promo code for 10% off a basket over £99 each calendar month.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tools/cassette-chain-tools?f=2259,4294953845&sort=pricelow

Edit: Just noticed and worth pointing out that the ~£10 Park Tool Brute chain tool does not officially support 11-speed chains.

Vonhelmet · 12 May 2017 at 17:48

lemonade said:
Thanks guys, the bike is only a year old and was bought new, so its on the chain that was fitted from factory or shop, KMC Z8. I will be buying a similar one again: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-z8s-7-8-speed-chain/rp-prod46601

So just to confirm for tools all I need is these two?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPTR/jobsworth-pro-chain-remover
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWPMLP/jobsworth-pro-master-chain-link-pliers

I already have a chain wear tool.

Get one of these while you're at it:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWCWI/jobsworth-chain-wear-indicator

mattyfez · 12 May 2017 at 18:06

One thing to watch for is you'll need to remove a few links from the new chain, they all come too long to cope with different size bikes /gear setups.

Plenty of guides and YouTube videos on how to ensure you get it right.

Kmc are good chains but make sure you don't shorten it too much, as the links aren't designed to be added back on, the pin is damaged when you remove it and it either won't fit or will be too loose.

Also the chain will be pre lubricated, so you don't need to add more lube straight away.

All Kmc chains come with a quick link to my knowledge, the quick link is designed to last for the life of the chain it comes with, so don't really use an old quick link to with a new chain, it might be worn /fatigued.

Also this chain is a better one for not much more money.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/kmc-x8-93-8-speed-chain/rp-prod120674

mattyfez · 12 May 2017 at 18:36

Also bear in mind if you've done 2000 miles on that chain, the cassette might be worn too, so fitting a new chain may cause it to skip.

The chain and cassette tend to wear together,

NoNameNoNumber · 12 May 2017 at 18:43

In 4 thousand miles I went through 0 chainrings, 1 cassette and 2 chains... Still on the original chainring and no skipping.

mattyfez · 12 May 2017 at 18:51

YMMV.

Chain rings are generally tougher than cassettes. I ride in dusty, and when it's wet, gritty mud. For me the chain wears at about the same rate as the cassette.

But try just replacing the chain first, no point fitting a new cassette of it doesn't skip when under hard pedalling.

Lethal` · 12 May 2017 at 19:36

Completely depends on so many factors it's a bit odd to suggest x mileage will have worn too much as well.

I generally seem to get almost double that from a chain.

mattyfez · 12 May 2017 at 19:46

I didn't say it will, I said it might, implying it's something to bear in mind. I also said YMMV.

Vonhelmet · 12 May 2017 at 23:03

A cassette should last a lot longer than 2000 miles.

BennyC · 13 May 2017 at 11:01

Not if it's ridden in the wet, through mud & gravel all the time and not washed

Roady · 15 May 2017 at 11:16

The Park Tool brute chain tool is superb and has worked fine with the 3-4 11 speed chains I've used it on.

Loads better than the cheap PX & previous model Jobsworth one I'd used (and broke).

lemonade · 15 May 2017 at 21:23

Thanks for all the help guys. Gone and ordered the ParkTool CT-5, KMC X8 93 & an X Tool master link plier from wiggles.

Plan is to count how many links I have on current chain and size the new one with that, also thinking of cleaning the lube that come son the chain as I've read it's not very good.

I'm going to only change the chain, as the cassette is still in good condition, it's only got ~2k on it, it's an Altus HG31, made of steel so shouldn't wear as badly, the chainring does look a bit rough on some of the teeth edges, but nothing major. The chain itself according the chain wear tool still got 2-3mm left, but will change before it does start wearing out the cassettes.

Thinking of changing the entire cassette & chain ring in the future to less gears, as I rarely use over 5 gears, so just the chain will do for now.

mattyfez · 15 May 2017 at 21:55

Rule 1: if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Lethal` · 15 May 2017 at 22:14

lemonade said:
Thinking of changing the entire cassette & chain ring in the future to less gears, as I rarely use over 5 gears, so just the chain will do for now.

It's not quite as simple as that. You'd need to change the shifters and the rear derailleur too to have less gears. Though I've never heard of anyone really wanting less gears besides going all the way to single speed.