Shortening a chain

Sorry, another newbie question im afraid.

I am converting from 2×10 to 1×10 and want to shorten my chain in the process (still got the same chain from when the bike was 3×10).

I have read how you can split a chain by identifying the specific pin and popping it out. How do you shorten the chain though? Do all the other pins come out too?

Can you then put a new connecting pin through any link?

Thanks in advance for any help.

ps, its a shimano mtb setup

Have you got a chain tool?

If you do, it’s a simple job. If you don’t, it isn’t.

Yup, all the pins can come out. So first break the chain (ideally, leave the pin hanging off the outer edge of the link – makes it much easier to push back in). Then measure the chain by putting it round your front chainring and largest cog on the back. Find where it meets, leave 1 or 2 extra links, then break the chain again there and remove the excess length. Then marry the two ends back up and bingo.

PS – it’s a lot easier with a missing link chain.
PPS – your chain gets weaker every time you break it. FYI.
Final PS – yes, you do need a chain tool of course, but any chain tool will do the job.

(ideally, leave the pin hanging off the outer edge of the link – makes it much easier to push back in).

Don’t do that with a shimano chain. It will snap at this link. You’ll need a special shimano pin to join it back up. Better still, use a reusable link. Note that this needs to be a 10 speed specific one.

Pushing a pin out and back in again is not the best idea. It leaves the join weak. Use a split link or a proper joining pin to be on the safe side.

And remember when you measure on a full susser let the air out of the rear shock and compress the suspension to full travel..

Better still, use a reusable link. Note that this needs to be a 10 speed specific one.

A 9 speed reusable/power link will work fine, I’ve been using one for the last 5 months with a 10 speed chain.

Sorry 😀

doesnt a 9spd ‘powerlink’ on a 10spd chain, foul on the cassette?

OP – what make is the chain? Anything other than shimano and it may have a split link already, if so undo this, then remove however many normal links you need, then rejoin the chain with the split link/power link…..

some 10spd links are damn tight, but if you have well used the chain it shouldnt cause too many problems.

doesnt a 9spd ‘powerlink’ on a 10spd chain, foul on the cassette?

Not noticed it on mine. I basically broke the Shimano connecting pin when fitting the chain so tried a 9 speed powerlink and it’s been on there ever since. I’ve have heard of others using them too.

brilliant cheers guys.

i dont fancy reusing a pin anyway, just need to double check its a shimano chain but will get a new pin or a reuseable link if you reckon this will be better?

Actually, the others are right. I’ve been using KMC Missing Link chains for so long now I’ve not had to do this for a very long time. With KMC chains, you just pop out the pins, shorten the chain, then pop in the missing link – it’s all very easy, and you can remove the chain tool-free afterwards. When I had a Shimano chain, I replaced the pins and didn’t have a problem, but that was 15 years ago…and maybe I was lucky.

I was looking at the gold kmc chains, I only plan on shortening it once though then it shouldn’t need to come off again.

Fair enough. Although if you need to take off your rear mech for any reason, a quick release chain comes in very handy. Gold chains are bit ‘Flava Flav’ for my tastes…