I can't split the chain

I need to split my chain, replace the old chain and fit a new one. I’ve always had someone else do this for me but I’m slowly trying to learn how to do more of the ‘basic’ jobs myself.

When I put a chain link on the chain breaker tool and turn the handle, it won’t break the chain. No matter how hard I try to turn the chain breaker, it won’t push the link out. Nothing happens, it just feels like the tool cannot push the link out

The chain breaker is a 10 speed type, and my chain is 10 speed. I’ve checked you tube videos and they just push the chain out with ease, whenever I try doing what is shown on them, I encounter the aforementioned problem. I just cannot break this chain.

Anyone know what could potentially be causing these issues I’m having?

Is the pin moving at all?

If it’s not moving at all then it might be a case of just more grunt. The initial effort to get the pin moving can require a fair bit of force, some of the trail side chain tools have particularly short levers which make this doubly hard. Maybe try lengthening the lever.

If the pin has popped out as far as it appear to want to go but the chain has released then bend it side to side a bit to free it up. Most chain tools move the pin a set amount so that it doesn’t fall completely out the other side and may require a bit of a wiggle to actually separate the chain

The pin in the tool has to line up perfectly with the pin you’re trying to push out. Shimano pins have a chamfer try to make sure the tool is not even slightly pushing on the side plate of the chain. Otherwise make sure the chain is seated properly in the tool and there’s nothing behind the pin that is stopping it being pushed out

Good advice above. I know this may seem obvious but have you looked for the “split” link in the chain? Usually there is one link that will split easier.

Unless of course you’re shortening a chain here in which can you need to break it.

Just put new chain’s on my 2 road bikes…..if your using a new Shimano pin make sure you don’t cause the link to stiffen up, I did and ending up putting a Sram Powerlock link in!

Does need a fair amount of force to initially break pin…as said, make sure it lines up with tool pin

If there are 2 locations on the tool where the chain can sit, make sure you use the one against the solid edge.
The other position is for loosening stiff links (or making small adjustments).

Does need a fair amount of force to initially break pin

true. could be that the videos make it look easy, but they know they have to put a lot of force through initially, so they do, then twiddle it round with a finger after that.

It is one of those things that feels wrong, if you’re used to the “if you’re forcing it, you’re doing it wrong” approach, which is generally correct on bike maintenance job.

If in doubt, hacksaw…

You’re just taking it off and binning it right? You have a new one to put on

I managed to break the chain in the end by attaching something that gives the chain tool a LOT more leverage.

I can’t believe how much force it took to push the pin out. Even while wearing gloves and with the extra leverage my hands were still in pain from the pressure I had to force onto them.

This chain tool on its own would be useless if I ever had to break the chain while trail side. It seems almost impossible to put enough force through it to break the chain without adding some sort of extra leverage.

Seems odd. Normally they go with not that much force and even the tiny chain tools built into multitools work fine.

Meanwhile, at the bridge near OPs…

I can’t believe how much force it took to push the pin out.

It doesn’t take that much force, but if the chain’s not lined up in the breaker it’s hard to push it through

What chain tool is it? Mate of mine bought a crappy little plastic thing in an emergency.
Needed a spanner on the handle to break the chain. Didn’t help that most of it was round.

It went in the bin.

Chain tools (like most things) come in good and bad, I’ve had both and with a bad one its often near impossible to break a chain. I would say the brand of the chain makes a big difference in my experience, kmc can be a real pig to break, Shimano less so and sram comparatively easy.

KMC chain that snapped was the one that finished off my multitool chain breaker. Just trying to remove 2 links to fit a powerlink, and the thing was such a bastid that it just snapped the end off the tool rather than push the pin out.
I now carry a proper chain tool when out on “proper” rides.
SRAM pins just pushed out, easy as. Once you’ve got it perfectly aligned.