Simple Shimano Chain question.

[Shortsocks]

Hey guys/gals.

So I've always used KMC X10 chains, so it has the quick link. But tomm I'm going to remove and clean my wife's Shimano chain. Guessing it's a 105 chain, because it's a full 105 drive train. Is there anything specific I need to know to remove and install the chain? I do have a chain tool. :)

I was just going to put it in degreaser for an hour and then power spray it.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for noob help.

[AngryScientist]

i never remove a chain to clean it.

i would definitely never remove a chain without a quick-link just to clean it, pin-push chains are simply not designed to be removed and re-installed multiple times, i believe with shimano chains you will need a spare pin to do so anyway.

just clean it on the bike.

[Shortsocks]

i never remove a chain to clean it.

i would definitely never remove a chain without a quick-link just to clean it, pin-push chains are simply not designed to be removed and re-installed multiple times, i believe with shimano chains you will need a spare pin to do so anyway.

just clean it on the bike.

Got it! Thanks angry!

[djg21]

Hey guys/gals.

So I've always used KMC X10 chains, so it has the quick link. But tomm I'm going to remove and clean my wife's Shimano chain. Guessing it's a 105 chain, because it's a full 105 drive train. Is there anything specific I need to know to remove and install the chain? I do have a chain tool. :)

I was just going to put it in degreaser for an hour and then power spray it.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for noob help.

How long has it been on the bike and how many miles? It may be time to just replace it.

If you break a Shimano chain, you are supposed to use a special shimano pin (http://www.jensonusa.com/!coCTAO6tFjs2EP264OIuaw!/Shimano-10SPD-Chain-Pins?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CjwKEAjwiumdBRDZyvKvqb_6mkUSJABDyYOzZbc4aG0u 9mautSz9RPwMM-a-DrLsY7nICcQFVTzBmBoCjtzw_wcB) to reinstall it. They are pretty simple to use. I wouldn't recommend pushing out a regular chain pin and reinstalling the chain by pushing the pin back in (though I successfully did this once to add a link to a chain I initally made too short).

You alternatively can use a KMC, or Connex, or SRAM master link. There have been numerous threads on master links recently.

[Shortsocks]

How long has it been on the bike and how many miles? It may be time to just replace it.

If you break a Shimano chain, you are supposed to use a special shimano pin (http://www.jensonusa.com/!coCTAO6tFjs2EP264OIuaw!/Shimano-10SPD-Chain-Pins?utm_source=FRGL&utm_medium=organic&gclid=CjwKEAjwiumdBRDZyvKvqb_6mkUSJABDyYOzZbc4aG0u 9mautSz9RPwMM-a-DrLsY7nICcQFVTzBmBoCjtzw_wcB) to reinstall it. They are pretty simple to use. I wouldn't recommend pusing out a regular chain pin and reinstalling the chain by pushing the pin back in (though I successfully did this once to add a link to a chain I initally made too short).

You alternatively can use a KMC, or Connex, or SRAM master link. There have been numerous threads on master links recently.

It's a fairly new chain, maybe 600 miles on it max. It's a very new bike, but it's gotten gunked up so I was going to just do a full clean and tune tomm...
But it seems that it's more of a pain in the butt to remove it, so I guess I'll just clean it while it's on the bike. That's odd, don't understand why shimano doesn't use a similar thing to KMC. :confused:

[kramnnim]

Maybe the snap off Shimano pins are more reliable?

If it was mine, I'd remove half a link and replace it with a quick link...but I haven't figured out a good way to clean a chain while still on the bike.

[djg21]

don't understand why shimano doesn't use a similar thing to KMC. :confused:

My guess is that it has to do with patents and Shimano's reluctance to pay licensing fees.

[oldpotatoe]

Hey guys/gals.

So I've always used KMC X10 chains, so it has the quick link. But tomm I'm going to remove and clean my wife's Shimano chain. Guessing it's a 105 chain, because it's a full 105 drive train. Is there anything specific I need to know to remove and install the chain? I do have a chain tool. :)

I was just going to put it in degreaser for an hour and then power spray it.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for noob help.

Depending on year and model, it may be directional..make sure the 'name', 'shimano' is outboard.

Be careful of time in degreaser..most are water based, can rust a chain.

Hook back together either with a KMC, Wipperman(recommended) link or shimano pin.

[Gummee]

My guess is that it has to do with patents and Shimano's reluctance to pay licensing fees.

According to someone in Shimano, they did do a quick link on an old D/A chain but dropped it 'cause they didn't like the wear and performance.

Personally, I don't remember the last time I took a chain off the bike to clean it.

M

[oldpotatoe]

i never remove a chain to clean it.

i would definitely never remove a chain without a quick-link just to clean it, pin-push chains are simply not designed to be removed and re-installed multiple times, i believe with shimano chains you will need a spare pin to do so anyway.

just clean it on the bike.

Pins are no longer designed to be pushed out then back in but shimano chains, with a new pin, is no big deal..as long as the pin you push out isn't the pin first pushed in.

[oldpotatoe]

According to someone in Shimano, they did do a quick link on an old D/A chain but dropped it 'cause they didn't like the wear and performance.

Personally, I don't remember the last time I took a chain off the bike to clean it.

M

7800, first gen 10s, had the link..and it was noisy and prone to failure.

I use Wipperman links, KMC on 11s. On a Campagnolo chain, first install, with pin..when takeoff and clean, use a KMC link. You really can't thoroughly clean a chain on a bike.