Ride Essentials – Chain Breaker Tool

Getting a flat tire sucks, of course, but it’s something that can usually be repaired with ease nine times out of ten. That means the chances you can continue your ride are pretty high. If you have a mechanical issue, on the other hand, those chances of continuing diminish exponentially. The best you can hope for in that situation is to limp home without something more serious occurring.

While it is pretty rare, the chance that your chain might break while on a ride is a possibility. If that does happen and you have a little bit of knowledge, with a chain breaker tool, you’ll be able to quickly mend your chain so you can ride home instead of walking or calling an Uber.

What is a Chain Tool and What Does it Do?

The primary purpose of the Chain Breaker Tool is to separate your chain from the plated links. That requires that you push out the pin that connects the two links. The larger shop version of this tool makes this process quick, and it is most often used when installing a new chain for the first time onto a new bike or replacing a worn or damaged chain.

The mobile (portable version of this same tool) will allow you to break the connection, if necessary, and repair your chain as long as you have an extra pin and a spare section of your current chain. However (and just as a side note), the cycling industry has moved away from the pin and link system to a “master link.” This piece allows you to join and separate your chain easily and repeatedly without using a new pin.

Advantage of the Master Link

The master link has an open and slotted area that connects to a pin on each side of the chain, then you can push the chain together and pull in the opposite direction to tighten and your chain will be connected. This link adds a real advantage and a step up in bicycle chain technology. It makes replacing or cleaning your chain a breeze.

But in the case of a broken or damaged chain, it might break somewhere else and not at the master link. So, it’s good to have a spare pin and master link with you in case you have to replace either one. I would just keep both these pieces with your mobile chain tool since they are very small and easy to lose.

How to Use the Chain Breaker Tool

As you can see from the picture above, the chain tool has two raised sections (or cradles) to attach your chain so you can center the pin you want to remove. Once you have the pin centered, you turn the tool clockwise until the replaceable screw presses against the pin and it pops out. The same process applies when connecting the two chain links.

If your chain is broken or damaged in some way, the chain tool will allow you to break and resize your chain if necessary. I would consider the chain tool a ride essential because it might just save your ride or at least allow you to get home.

I wouldn’t suggest continuing your ride with a road-repaired chain. However, it really depends on the condition of your chain after the repair (and the condition of your bike, for that matter).

Cost and Where to Buy a Chain Tool

Just like most everything in cycling, a chain tool can be found at multiple price points from about $8.00 on Amazon and all the way to $30.00 for the Mini Chain Tool by Park. Sometimes chain tools are grouped together as part of the small tools on a multi-tool.

Personally, I think you’re better off with a separate tool for this function. That way you have some leverage when separating or joining a chain and a tool that is least likely to malfunction. Overall, when buying any kind of bike tool, my general view is not to skimp just to save money.

Last Thoughts

A portable chain tool is a good tool to have with you on a ride. You never know when you might need it to fix your chain or the chain of your riding partner. It folds up small so you can drop it in your saddle bag or ride wallet.

While it’s rare that you’ll break or damage your chain on a ride, it always pays to be prepared for any situation. And for $30.00 or less, you won’t have to worry or feel like you might be broken down on the side of the road somewhere miles from home with an inoperable bike.