Sadly I spent like 20mins trying to get the last pin into a chain while it was on the bike. Every time I started to screw it in, the pin would go off on a weird angle or fall. Anyways, a) is there any trick to doing this, b) I’m using a Nashbar chain breaker, do the pricier once make this a non-issue? kthnxbai.
i thought you weren’t supposed to pop the pins all the way out
or… iunno dont ask me
ive had this problem and ended up doing some weird thing that involved steady hands and needle nose pliers.
maybe use a little grease to kinda hold the pin in the hole?
you popped the pin all the way out? i think you’re fucked. thats gonna be a bitch to get in. just go to the LBS and get a master link
Ah yes… not popping the pins all the way out would have made things a lot easier.
or take that link out, making sure to not take the pin all the way out, and replace it with another
buy some masterlinks or something
park tool ct-7 is a good choice for 1/8 chains. Mine is so smooth.
I suppose you could buy a masterlink… or you could buy another chain and replace the link(s) from that one. Then you’d have another chain when you need it 
Complete removal of the pin depends on the type of chain. For 1/8" and SRAM 3/32", don’t push it all the way out. For shimano 3/32", you have to push it all the way out and replace it with a new pin.
The compact park chain tool (ct-5) is pretty great. It’s made to be generally idiot-proof and is only like $13.
+1
The key is to not only not push the pin all of the way out, but to leave a very small section of the pin showing on the inside of the link. You just have to flex the chain a bit sideways to get it to separate. This will hold the links in line a bit easier when you are driving the pin back in. The shimano replacement pins have a beveled section that makes initial insertion easier, and that you break off once you fully set the pin. Putting a master link on it allows you to break your chain down for easier cleaning and maintenence. Also with the master, you don’t really have to carry a chain tool with ya.
i’m sure every single person in here has pushed a pin all the way out… just get 2 new links and replace…
That’s what she said.
Ok… not funny… damn me.
If it’s a 3/32" chain, your LBS will have a new pin that you can insert. It’s a replacement that’s about a quarter longer than the stock pin, it installs and then you use the end of the chainbreaker to snap off the remaining bit. It looks something like this.
They come in different sizes for the various speeds of chains. Anyway, your LBS should have them. If they don’t, just get a master link.
Oh, and get a Park chainbreaker. Anything that isn’t Park is a waste of money.
I’ve had 2 park chain tools that were drilled off center so badly they would hit the face of the chain and not the pin. I finally have one that works well but thats after going through several. Before it is asked, I replaced the pins on both and it was the threading that was off.
Sounds like you got a bad batch. I’m not saying to buy Park because the tools are flawless, I was recommending Park because they use replaceable pins.
I always use a little peice of bubble gum to hold the pin in place on the tool end when I accidentally pop one all the way out try that.
macgyver would be proud