Beggars Would Ride
A Good Hack
The care package from Campandgoslow got upended onto the kitchen counter, and in with the soft thud of the bar tape and the fluttery hush of the decals and patches, a tinkling noise announced something metallic, something distinctly titanium, falling out amongst the soft stuff. A wrench. A double open end wrench, with a 10mm opening at one end, and a doublecut 8/9mm opening at the other. Guess that makes it a triple open end wrench. With a piece of string attached to it.
This little wrench is made for Casey at Campandgoslow by an outfit known as Forager Cycles, and is listed on their website as “The Link Wrench” because, in addition to being a three-size open end, it can also be used to separate a modern quick link in order to remove your chain. I stared at the wrench for a very long time, twirling it around in my hands, looking at the slots machined into it, pointing it threateningly at my bike leaning against the wall, but for the life of me could not figure out how the hell it could be used to open a modern quick link.
Modern quick links kind of bum me out, for the record. I spent several years pinching little blood blisters on my thumbs when the many different “not designed for this” pliers and channel locks in my toolkit slipped while trying to unseat those diabolical little fuckers. This was before someone informed me that there are now pliers manufactured specifically for the purpose of cracking them open. So, there’s a thin film of shameful ignorance overlaying my blood blistered frustration, along with the feeling that this isn’t really much of an improvement over the days when we used to have to press a pin out and then back in again.
For those of you who are about to tell me that you don’t need a special tool, that any old slip joint pliers will do, stop. I know. And for all those videos out on youtube of people demonstrating how to effortlessly pop the quick link apart on clean new drivetrains, I know. Yes, it’s possible. This is not rocket surgery. But it can at times also be a monumentally frustrating pain in the ass. The so called quick link is, in my mind, about as much a hit and miss exercise in gritted teeth as an old motorcycle chain master link. I carefully hoarded an old, slightly reshaped duckbill plier that I would use for them, and for nothing else.
Chains have tough lives. They are expected to transfer all our lumpy power impulses into forward motion by hooking reliably and precisely over the teeth of our chainrings and cassette cogs for tens of thousands of revolutions. Hundreds of thousands. Millions, I don’t know. A lot. Think about the size of your chain links next time you are standing on the forward crank with all your intentional weight and strength as you heave your bike up a sticky slab. The whole shooting match is held together with these tiny little pins that are for the most part riveted through very flimsy looking little plates. Except for the quick link. That one is not riveted. It’s just sort of slotted into place and held there by that torque we are applying in our best unwitting efforts to splay it completely apart. Kind of a miracle, or at least high-science miracle-adjacent, when you think about it.
So even though the quick link bums me out, I forgive it. Poor little bastard has a tough, thankless job. But, that said, I still do not own a specific tool to remove them. Until the other day, when this little titanium gem tinkled out onto my countertop. But then the twirling and fidgeting and pointing at my bike with threatening intent began. And for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how the hell this cute little wrench was supposed to crack my chain apart. Fortunately, Forager provides a helpful instruction video on their site.
It’s the string! Or, in this case, the ultra high tech cord crafted from the same stuff that won the Americas Cup for Bill Koch in 1992, now known as Dyneema Composite Fabric. So, basically, thread the Dyneema string through the rollers at either end of the quick link, tie a knot in the string, then slip the wrench through, use the handy notches mid-span to locate the string, and start twisting. String tightens, rollers try to move toward each other, and link pops open. Brilliant!
Yes, it would be possible to replicate this with a stick and a piece of wire or some other very strong string. Yes, you do need to pay attention to how you knot your Dyneema string in order to be able to undo it afterward. Yes, your hands will get messy if the chain is dirty. No, I can’t think of anything on my bicycle aside from my hydraulic brake bolts that use any of the sizes offered on this wrench. No, I’m not sure I could make it work with a zip tie. No, I did not feel like I had just won the Americas Cup. Instead, I felt more like one of the monkeys in 2001, A Space Odyssey when they figured out that the bones could be used as weapons. I felt enlightened. Maybe you all knew how to do this already. Good for you.
The wrench is cool. Made in the US, feathery light and stealthy lithe, and I dig the whole gestalt that Casey at Campandgoslow and Dan at Forager are cooking up. This isn’t as pro as a dedicated quick link wrench, not by a long shoot. It’s a toss up as to whether I’d be reaching for this or a 10” channel lock plier, but I know for sure that I won’t be carrying a 10” channel lock on any rides anywhere. Not that I haven’t in the past, but I prefer to think those days are behind me now. You don’t need this wrench to crack open your quick link, and there might be other strings that’ll spin up the torque, but it’s the hack that is the genius here. I learned a thing, AND I scored a cool little wrench.
Our bikes are becoming increasingly complicated. They are not necessarily becoming more difficult to work on, but there are more and more tools creeping in to all our toolkits that have very specific, very singular, uses. My home kit has eight different bottom bracket cup sockets in it at the moment. None of those will fit an old BSA cup. Not sure where my old bottom bracket wrenches went, but I suspect they are hanging out with my old headset wrenches, third hand tools, crank extractors, pin wrenches, and my Campagnolo peanut butter wrench… somewhere. Hacks, however they show up, remind us that a little lateral thinking can go a long way, and that in spite of the rampant electrification and increasing complexity of our bikes, sometimes all you need to get a thing done is some really tough string and a stick. This thing is a hack, and it's also three different wrenches. Sweet.
I don’t ride with tools the way I used to ride with tools. Back in the Deuter Trans Alpine pack days, I would just keep loading tools in, along with rain gear and snacks, because the packs were basically bottomless. I was mortified to empty the pack one time and find TWO Topeak Mountain Morph pumps, an entire roll of duct tape, a 10” Crescent spud wrench, a complete Bondhus hex set including the 10mm monster, a full size Pedros chain tool, four empty Modelo beer cans, a Twinkie, and a Millet Gore-Tex jacket that I thought I had lost two years prior.
I ride a lot lighter these days. But I still have my quirks. There’s always a 4” Knipex in the mix, as well as a Leatherman, some Fixit Sticks, and a Dynaplug. But I have been struggling when it comes to chain tools, and what to do about the quick links, should push come to shove out in the boonies. Now there’s a little sliver of a titanium wrench with a piece of raceboat string tied to it wedged in with the Fixit Sticks. Thanks for the wrench, Casey, and for the hack, Dan!
Comments
ZigaK
1 month, 2 weeks ago
You don't need a string. In an emergency, just use a rock the right shape and size. I tried this and it works:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wAYtyczXGE0
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BarryW
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Now that is a great hack!
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've tried that as well, with varying degrees of success. It's not always a slam dunk
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ZigaK
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Is it a type of chain or the state of it that is limiting the success? I haven't tried it with a 12sp.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Not too sure. The 12sp quick links are definitely a lot more sticky than the old Sachs/SRAM ones from a decade or so ago, but my general experience has been that things get more difficult with greater wear and more dirt/crust.
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helpimabug
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I use this technique every time, even in the garage with tools everywhere, because it’s so easy.
1. Move quick link onto chainring
2. Move quick link to skip one tooth on the chainring so it sticks up in a sort of triangle.
3. Take off your shoe and whack the edge of the link.
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
@helpimabug, or just grab the quick link pliers and be done in half the time without the fuss ;-)
Seriously cool hack, but not so cool if it's night time and as laways things aren't seen as clearly, like the KMC tool Marty linked to, multi use, mustn't weigh more than a few ounces.
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Deniz Merdano
1 month, 2 weeks ago
@helpimabug Are you Dutch by any chance?
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helpimabug
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Haven’t tried a wooden shoe. Will report back.
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
wooden shoe, wooden head wooden listen
did you know the dutch invented copper wire ? 2 of them were arguing over a penny badump
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Skooks
1 month, 2 weeks ago
This. I actually used two rocks to open a quick-link on the trail when my buddy figured out he had installed his chain incorrectly. Piece of cake!
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BarryW
1 month, 2 weeks ago
As beautiful of a piece as it is, I'll stick with my itty bitty but perfectly functional quick-link pliers.
I've done the cord and stiff object program and it was a lot more hassle than using the pliers. And the pliers take up barely any space and don't weigh much. Besides, when you need a quick-link, you probably also need a chain breaker right? No way to bodge that one, gotta be a chain breaker.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I gave up on putting the words "compact multi-tool" and "chain breaker" in the same sentence a long time ago. During the backpack days I would carry a full size Park or Pedros tool, and am currently running the gauntlet of not carrying one at all. Might be time to dig back in and resume the hunt for something that does not offend my sensibilities.
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Jotegir
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Have you checked out the Blackburn big switch wrap? It's not any more compact than any of the other multitools with a chain breaker, but the form factor in my opinion is fantastic. On ride days it acts as both my multitool and my wallet, with a couple essential cards fired into the card sleeve. The whole thing fits nicely in a side pocket and is soft so it's easy to forget about.
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Brad Nyenhuis
1 month, 2 weeks ago
QL Pliers/Chain Breaker
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JVP
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Does the valve core inadvertently pop out when you use this?
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Timer
1 month, 2 weeks ago
It might be time to have another go at putting those two words together. There are some interesting options available today. For instance the Topeak Mini 18 or 20.
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fartymarty
1 month, 2 weeks ago
https://www.kmcchain.com/onepage/missinglinklever-18mar/en/ work for me.
PS - Casey's Manzanita is worth checking out - it's a beauty https://theradavist.com/manzanita-cycles-rigid-29er-klunker-mtb/
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Kyle Smith
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I use the Granite Talon tire levers. Same idea of a set of tire levers that can double as quick link plliars, the bonus is that can also store a spare set of quick links.
https://granite-design.com/products/talon?srsltid=AfmBOop27aoV3WMn7aehHDXR-gZKrXyge9BxzTdPEjqzQ6FHc2looM2s
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BarryW
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Those look like a very slick double use tool. Same with the one fartymarty linked, but honestly I've had several uses of the quick-link pliers and zero need for you're levers in going on 4 years. At least on the trail!
Even though I run inserts I can break the bead and pull them off the rim using just my hands. So I don't always carry levers. Link pliers any time I'm going to be far from the trailhead. (Schwalbe Mary on the front, Hans Dampf on the rear, both super trail casing)
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ohio
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Was just going to post this. Bought a set for one bike a few years ago. At $12 a pop, I now have them for all my bikes and saddle bags. Only complaint is the spare quick link holder isn't snug enough on any of mine, so the fresh quick links tend to fall out.
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Tim (aka DigitBikes/DirtBaggies)
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I love system integration - with this we can all justify Berd spokes!
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Now we're getting somewhere!
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Avner B.
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I ride with a Leatherman too and use it to pop quick links.
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Steven Kovalenko
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I carry the Granite Designs tire levers that are also quick link pliers, in addition to another set of Pedro's levers. When you run gravity casing tires or inserts, you can never have too many sets of tire levers in the bag when a true disaster strikes.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I have never carried tire levers, so this seems a bit alien to me.
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Cam McRae
1 month, 2 weeks ago
While you may have the strongest hands in the universe, you don’t ride dh tires very often I’m guessing and certainly not with inserts. Whole new ballgame. I wouldn’t bet against you though.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Hands are nowhere near as strong as they were in the wrenching years. But point taken. I've wrestled a few DH casing tires in the past few years, wasn't fun. Rim/tire combo always seems to be a case by case basis, and I have met some that have absolutely defeated me. That said, I've barehanded Cushcores and trail/GRID casing tires enough times to still want to fight most tires without levers, just on principle...
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Korc
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Why did they ever change the design from the old 9sp Sram power links where all you had to do was pinch the links and slide them apart? I never had any issue with them coming apart mid ride back in the day.
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Brad Nyenhuis
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Their lawyers convinced them that it was just too perfect of a design.
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
@Korc, works with 10spd KMC as well, but seems all the other brands abandoned that when they moved to 11spd, not sure why, maybe narrower chain, tighter tolerances, which ends up making the fit damn tight :skep:
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Kristian Øvrum
1 month, 2 weeks ago
A better alternative is available: https://www.connexchain.com/en/connectors/detail/connex-link
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Tim Coleman
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've been through plenty of multi tools and gadgets. My favourite is the One Up EDC Plug and Pliers kit stored with their multi tool including a chain breaker in either the stem or their pump. It's saved many rides over the years and couldn't be easier to use. Small, light, and easily stored on the bike.
https://can.oneupcomponents.com/products/edc-plug-pliers-kit?srsltid=AfmBOooC-qEPimkFysgXgjo5LMPTmsQ876LxZLKXdtRS4zCg2Qpg6C6l
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JVP
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Typical bacon strips don't work great, IME, but did you know that the OneUp EDC tool accepts DynaPluggers? Same thread pitch. It's awesome.
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Brad Nyenhuis
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I LOVE quick links. To me they are on that list of how-did-we-live-without items like 2 piece stems, hinged brake lever clamps, clamp-on grips, tire plugs, and the tubeless tires that made tire plugs possible.
Granted, I am a long time believer in immersive hot chain wax, so I'm removing my (and my wife's) chain every few weeks. Not realistic without quick links.
Fix-It Sticks, a plug kit, and CO2 take care of 99% of my trail fixes. I carry the Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers, mini chain breaker, and tube for just-in-case. I have yet to use the pliers or breaker in the several years of carrying them.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Look, if you're gonna go waxing your chain, you owe it to yourself to buy EVERYTHING that Campandgoslow is selling, and you sure as hell better have a titanium dangle mug as well.
Now get back over to the Radavist.
I kid. Upstream from here are some comments about the older SRAM power links, and I guess that is where my distaste for modern quick links is rooted. The old power links were tool-free supereasy and I loved them. The modern 12-speed quick links bug me because there needs to be some sort of tool/mechanical assist, and that is not a whole lot quicker than breaking out a chain tool. At that point, I rate them way downhill from the ease of detachable faceplate stems and hinged brake levers. Putting them back together, well, you got me there. At least that part is dead easy.
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Brad Nyenhuis
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Hmmmmm, titanium dangle mugs!
Got a link?
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taprider
1 month, 2 weeks ago
https://cyclingmagazine.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/137220019_1557234871331107_5050868189908347460_n.jpg
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Brad Nyenhuis
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I just watched the video. They missed out on the opportunity to name it the Quick Link Garrote.
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Karl Fitzpatrick
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've seen this done with a shoe lace. I imagine the inconvenience of unthreading a place from your shoe is proportional to the inconvenience of needing to take your chain apart.
Also, I reckon you could probably get enough purchase with the excess lace length that you could just wail on either end by hand.
Also, I carry quick link pliers cos I'm a bum bag bitch.
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ShawMac
1 month, 2 weeks ago
As a sailor I have untold amounts of dyneema bits laying around so some might be deposited in my bike kit. But I agree that a shoelace is sufficient strength to pop a quicklink in the same fashion
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Danstran
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I tested various different cords before we released this. In my experience, it's less about the strength and more about the chains ability to cut through less abrasion resistant materials.
shoelaces and typical paracord was hit or miss, sometimes it worked, and sometimes the cord was wrapped around the chain in such a way it broke before undoing the link. Whereas the dyneema consistently popped open a link at least 3 times before breaking.
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Mike, it Ti, so no matter what, beautiful, but as you said, don't quite get the sizes on it, who needs a 10mm or even 9mm these days, 8mm maybe, I'm sure this is for their more hipster crowd running older bikes that still use it, but I'm also sure they could come up with some better, actual useful sizes or other ends for the modern bike.
As to the whole premise of this piece, absolutely, great lateral, whatever thinking, as soon as I saw it and you mentioned the chain breaker aspect, I immediately knew it had to be the string, because nothing else with the wrench could work, but yeah, ease on the restraints and you can figure out some amazing shit.
As to the whole quick link and needing pliers to undo the modern ones, yeah, that's an easy fix, absolutely nothing wrong with 10spd and the KMC master links are reusable and you don't need anything but your hands and fingers to undo them :-p But, I still keep a set of the specific pliers (and links) in my bag for all the others who need the "latest and greatest", who's bikes I work on/service and ride with, who don't bring such things along, heck I was even given my set by one such individual because they'd never take it with them or really cared to learn how to use it :-\
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've just squeezed those together without the cord and it worked
a MacGyver thread would be good good thing for this forum, in a former life I MacGyvered all kinds of stuff, if I couldn't cut or file something I would wander into a Home Hardware to find something that might fill my need, just like Angus a file and a swiss army knife saw are the tools of choice
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
You mean to show stuff like this Hahaha, it worked, rode over 20 miles on it, including some good amount of climbing.
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
What is that ^^ ? back in the day I stuffed junior's 16 " tire full of grass sod and he rode it home
I think it was fescue
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Timer
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Is that a coconut?
Just one ruins the joke, though.
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Yes, it's a coconut :-D It's on my bike, but nothing on my bike failed, story goes...we started a ride and not a mile in a guys X-Fusion dropper failed and I had recommended it (think the clamp broke and this was early dropper days, 2014) and he said he was going to just bail and head back.
I felt a bit bad as I had recommended it and so swapped him my rigid post and saddle and tried to ride with his post only. I did about 2 or so miles like that, but without the saddle the bike felt lost, couldn't tell where it was at as had no knee contact, so looked about and found that coconut, 1/2 a roll of 1" Gorilla tape later, voila. I actually rode the rest of the trail and another good few miles, think total of about 8 miles, standing up basically, but when we hit the 1 mile climb, I raised it to proper pedal height to give it a go and surprisingly it wasn't so bad. Did the climb, then descent and then the ride home, was around 20 miles IIRC.
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Danstran
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Hey Mike, glad to hear the Link Wrench made it into your daily kit! A couple notes that might be of interest...
Our V2 Link wrench (released a few weeks ago) does have wide enough slots to bolt the wrench to a bottle cage mount, if that's your style.
Regarding chain breakers, we're working on a multi-tool system that includes all the things you wouldn't find on many "compact Multi-tools". including things like a chain breaker, spoke wrench, chainring bolt wrench, etc. The idea being that you wouldn't need the tool for day to day riding closer to home (that's what your compact multi-tool is for) but it would contain the needed tools for bigger day rides or multiday bikepacking.
Happy trails, Dan
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Skooks
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Do people re-use Shimano quick-links? I do and have never had an issue.
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Brad Nyenhuis
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've been using hot melt chainwax on mine and my wife's bikes for several years now. This requires me to remove the chain every few weeks to rewax. In all that time I have replaced exactly one quicklink (it broke when I removed it).
I've never had an issue.
Pretty sure the "single use" thing is the same as the shampoo "apply, rinse, repeat"
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I have done with others on 12spd (I don't own any 12spd anything) because, well simply not available easily or cheaply on island and there's not been a problem I know of, but Shimano says a big NO.. I always tell the person what's "recommended" and that they need to just keep an eye out on the first ride, but haven't actually done it multiple times with 1 set, just once on each set.
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Nick Seavello
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I do as well. I have well over 10000 miles on various Shimano 12 speed chains and have only experienced 1 quick-link snapping on me—I believe that was down to a bad shift more than a re-using them, though. I do always carry a brand new quick-link in my OneUp EDC kit.
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Nick Meulemans
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Fixit Sticks - hell yeah. I have a little personal history with the brand and the development of their "T-Way Wrench," and love those little buggers. Brian, if you're out there, I hope you're doing well.
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The Chez
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Every time I see the Dawn of Man scene, it makes me think of Groove Tube immediately.
Groove Tube Take
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Waywardcyclist
1 month, 2 weeks ago
The big question is: How was the Twinkie?
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Pete Roggeman
1 month, 2 weeks ago
It's amazing how good you become -when in the middle of a brutal tire change - at instantly knowing whether a new tire lever will be better or worse than the three you've already bent or broken in the attempt.
OG Enve rims with certain casings were so bad for that. The first time Cam and I met AJ he was halfway down WBP with a flat and there was no way that tire was going back on without 5-6 gloved and stubborn hands. I recall another time on Seymour when Cam, Trevor and I were nearly stumped by a wheel of mine. I belive we broke levers belonging to TWO passers by before we finally got it done. We prevailed but that was as close as I've come to walking a flat out in failure.
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Only have experience with one DH casing and no issues there with the wheel it was on or when I got it passed to me and any of my wheels. If you want a royal PITA rim, the old/first Bontrager TLR offset, rims, holy fvck were they tight, even with just your normal XC type tyre and casing, broke a couple tyre levers out on a ride when trying to help a friend change his. Just got in my friends old 2013 Trek Rumblefish, which has these rims and with just EXO casing, a royal PITA, but that's what happens when you build a rim to the + side of accepted tolerance or even maybe a tad bigger, a very shallow centre bed/channel and <23mm IW.
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fartymarty
1 month, 2 weeks ago
A mates Hunt and Gravity Magic Mary took 4 hands and levers and then we punctured the rim strip. He got a CC bead dropper after that.
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MeestahChow
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I'm pretty sure the slots in the tool are spaced for installation under your water bottle cage.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Your implication offended me so much that I had to go check. The slots are a hair too narrow for a water bottle mount bolt to pass through. Phew. Having to fish out a hex wrench, remove two bolts, then rig the link removal tool, then slap it all back together again seems like an exercise in futility.
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ShawMac
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I am going to invent a combo 3mm/4mm hex that mounts under the bottle cage mount bolts. People will buy it.
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Jotegir
1 month, 2 weeks ago
If it was cheap enough to be a reasonable gag gift people would actually buy it.
The whole idea of mounting this little wrench tool to a bottle cage mount is so awful I love it.
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Velocipedestrian
1 month, 2 weeks ago
So you need to carry a 4mm to access your 4mm?
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Timer
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Call it the Catch-3/4.
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ShawMac
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Genius.
I am going to get to work on this. Aiming for an early April release.
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Joseph Crabtree
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Do you use a surgeon's Knot? Inquiring minds want to know.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Surgeon's know how to tie knots?
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
If its a job on which they can't use the stapler they gotta suture. BTW instead of going back to the pro to have staples removed its easier and less painful to clip staples down the middle with your side cutters and pick out the ends with your roach clip. This is becuz with their their 3 prong staple remover the ends drag in a painful arc thru your wound
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Velocipedestrian
1 month, 2 weeks ago
The vasectomist seems to have.
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Danstran
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I use a figure eight knot for it's ease of undoing, but I'm no knotty expert.
Dan
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I used to clean chains with the park cleaner-ma-jig when I used petro lube but now I just leave a new X01 on the bike and keep dripping the squirt, IME the excess wax just flakes off
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Jerry Willows
1 month, 2 weeks ago
a good article...
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Andy Eunson
1 month, 2 weeks ago
What am I doing wrong? I can’t remember ever needing to remove a chain on the trail. I did have a chain get jammed between a chainring and chain guide that required the removal of a bolt to release the chain. I do carry a Oneup EDC chain link tool that I have never used. My firm belief is that one should always ensure the bike is in good working order I the home shop before heading out. I replace chains and cable and housing regularly and in the rare event that I’ve jammed a chain or bent a derailleur I fix or replace before the next outing. On bike multi tools are for adjustment of on trails and stuff like that and for emergencies only.
My first reaction when I saw the tool pictured was " what kind of hipstie fixer size is 8/9 of an inch?" Then I read the article and laughed at myself. It appears like a clever way to use a tool for more than one thing. But I mean really, a proper tool is many times better. Threading string and tying a knot while horseflies are gnawing on you and mosquitoes and black flies are buzzing requires a much faster tool.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
True that. For any instance where a chain needs to be removed on the trail, it's highly likely that the chain will also need to be shortened - sometimes a section of links can get twisted during hamfist shifting or some other force fed tragedy. Or, a derailleur gets greased completely and a bike needs to get shortened into a singlespeed.
How do you adjust a contrail? Does adjusting a contrail turn it into a chemtrail? IS THAT HOW THEY ARE DOING IT?
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Andy Eunson
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Exactly. Riding with a tinfoil helmet liner is really uncomfortable. So one needs to adjust the chemtrails from the contrail with something.
Oops.
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I would replace a hanger and put the old one in my tool kit, I would put the links I took out of a new chain in the tool kit along with quick link but I did have to shorten some one elses chain to a single speed when the hanger broke
my pharmacist ( funny guy) who gives my covid shots told me you need 2 layers of real tinfoil not aluminium, when i took him unused tramadol to dispose buddysaid oh man you should have sold this at the homeless camp!
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
back in the day I would buy the Sram pc-61 or 971 which were good chains IME/IMO except when junior ( that kid could break anything) was 16 he snapped 2 quick links one of them 10min before a HS race something i could never do
so I took to riveting the chains back together with a park chain breaker which cured the broken link issue
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Wandering
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I carry a spare quick link and chain breaker in case I break a chain and need to repair on a ride... After all these years, I still haven't thought of a scenario that I would need to take a quick link apart on the trail... Enlighten me?
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've had to wank about with a chain when a der hanger broke on someone else's bike, made it into a single speed
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Lynx .
1 month, 2 weeks ago
@Wandering, oh so many possible reasons, chain caught up in something easier to get out not joined, chain dropped into spokes and bent/twisted, cut out the bent link(s) and add in a few links of chain with another quick link, so, so many reasons.
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LWK
1 month, 2 weeks ago
The rip off of Campagnolo's trademark font seems a bit pathetic
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Mike Ferrentino
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Meh. We used to cut up Campy decals and then painstakingly rework them with a little magic marker help to read Crampandgoslow. I like it when our culture eats itself with derivative logowork, like when Swobo ripped off Silca for their t-shirts. Or when a certain NorCal singlespeeding art major went to great lengths to create exact dimensional replicas of the old doubledecker RockShox logos that read "CockShox", then plastered them carefully on top of the stickers on the RockShox team trucks whenever he got the chance. Juvenile? Maybe. Sure was fun at the time, though...
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Velocipedestrian
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I've seen SLX carefully sharpied to SEX.
Making your own fun is important.
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Jotegir
1 month, 2 weeks ago
That's part of the antithetical fun though. You don't hate fun, do you?
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
fun is fun until someone gets hurt, and then its a sport
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Andy Eunson
1 month, 2 weeks ago
Sport, true sport also requires special clothing that looks ridiculous other than while doing the sport.
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XXX_er
1 month, 2 weeks ago
and you gotta have controversy
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