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Bit of a strange one this, both my chain tools (an ageing topeak multi tool and a cheapo planet x one) appear to be damaging my GX Eagle chain. When joining links it appears to shave a very thin ring of metal off the outer plates of the chain where it pushed the pin through-imagine a hole punch effect with a very thin ring of metal staying on the chain tool. I've been snapping my chain every ride, bought a new one and same again, all joined using the chain tools above-until I used a SRAM quick link instead of rejoining the chain manually and put two and two together. I've never had this problem with any of my Shimano drivetrains. Am I being a dunce and has anyone else found this to be a problem?
I wouldn't rejoin any chain narrower than an 8 speed one by re-using a pin, would always use a powerlink or a new pin.
What he said - I wouldn't try to reuse a pin I'd squished out of an Eagle chain.
I wouldn’t rejoin any chain narrower than an 8 speed one by re-using a pin, would always use a powerlink
That
Fair point, but never been a problem on any other chain I've used in 15 years of riding. I suppose Eagle chains are particularly skinny..
but never been a problem on any other chain I’ve used in 15 years of riding.
Sounds like you were snapping chains (otherwise you wouldn't have been re-joining them)?
just the eagle chain, and the only chain I've ever used where the tool appears to take a sliver of metal off the chain links-almost as though the chain tool is too thick for the outer plates.
You mean the little circles of metal that accumulate on the chain tool's pin? I've had those on both 9 and 11 speed chains, I always assumed they are the riveted/mushroomed bit of the pin breaking off, not a part of the plate.
As a rule, never join a chain using the original pin.
Yes, its not the tool, the pins are spread to strengthen the chain and aren't meant to go back in - hence the power/quick link being required. Or the joining pins you are supposed to use for Shimano chains.