Ok guys any tips. Ive just being trying to get the chain off and what ive previously seem to be an effortless procedure on a group ride has turned into a 15min swear fest with myself.

I can get then links to move slightly but i just can not get them to unclick. any tips?

I feel your pain.

Often the way, I use a little set of pliers in one hand and the chain link (being pushed together with fingers) in other hand. Never bother taking pliers on a ride mind

Just to clarify – pliers inside links that is – parallel to chain

ok looks like im calling in the shop on the way home. And heres me thinking it would be a 30 second job. Balls!

This £6 tool makes opening and closing links a breeze, even 10-speed links

9 speed are fine, I’ve always found 10 speed a complete **** though! So I got a special tool like ^^^^ above, much less stressful!

I always find it easier to push the chain rather than the links, if you see what I mean. Helps to squeeze the links together (side to side) if you’ve got enough fingers spare.

Oh, also, see if it’s got 2 quicklinks in it! I was having a mare with one last night til I noticed a second one, it was nice and easy. Probably the other one hasn’t been undone for ages.

Another tip: Put the chain on the big ring and wind the crank until the split link is over the front of the ring. Now, from the bottom, work one extra link onto the chainring, making one link “bulge” away from the ring. Move this slack up the teeth until the link that is bulging is the split link. Now tap the sticking-up end of the split link with a mallet. The split link is trapped between the mallet and the chain ring and should undo.
A diagram would be easier but I don’t have one.

+1 buy the pliers

Squeezing the sides together works but not with new, unworn chains.

I hate kmc links, wipperman/SRAM I can deal with.

I can often manage to prise them apart (except on the trail, under pressure!) – usually find trying to force the chain together, while wiggled the chain laterally, has some success.

It’s one of the few things I can manage better than my chap in the LBS..

oh, and get the pliers for at least home use ..

Wipperman every time. Elegant design that works flawlessly.

Ditched the KMC links and put SRAM ones in, much better 🙂

The £6 pliers jamiep links to above are great, I use KMC 10speed links and they save any messing about.

Stiff paper clip and two small allen keys when out riding

+1 pliers at home

ended up going to vs cycles in Brighouse and getting some pliers on the way home…

Shock though the guy in the shop was smiling!

As others have said, bin the KMC/SRAM links and get a Wippermann Connex link and never look back.

IHN – Member
Wipperman every time. Elegant design that works flawlessly.

+1
never a problem undoing.