@ colande I borrowed a friends bike tool kit. It had a standard chain tool so I used that. I removed the damaged link and re connected the chain. My worry is that this repair only serves to weaken the chain in addition to any effects of using a shorter chain.

@ DT78 It’s a full sus. 1 day old Orange 5s. I’ve been riding a Giant trance x4 09 for a while without issue and before that 10 years on hardtails. It’s interesting that vpp suspension design can suffer something like a 2.5cm, chain growth. If this is the case it sounds like a shorter chain could be under more stress?

Taking into account the replies from DT78 and colande it might be a better idea to invest in a decent chain that I can still use with the existing cassette…given I’ve done just a few miles on it.

Thank you for your advice.

@ cynic-al I totally agree with that hence my efforts to repair and my asking advice here. I will use use the components I have paid for as long as they will last. However if these components are total junk and cause more problems that necessary what choice do I have? All I can say is that I didn’t expect to have this on a 2 day old orange 5s!

Cheers Simon, I didn’t know you could use the power links on Shimano chains, thats good to know!

Ah I see…cheers MS

Yep…came home with something yesterday.

Got a really itchy, red, hard lump on my calf which is getting bigger. About an inch across ATM, what ever it was it had big teeth!

OP… Using drill to solve this…….Are you for real?!! What happens when you push on a door that says pull? Do you drill that to bits too?

Really though…Sounds like you are having these problems at home, let alone out on a ride. Presta valves are not an enigma. They can be tricky to pump up while you are out on the trail with a small hand pump, but if you have a foot pump or similar with the correct adaptor (from schraeder to presta usually) you shouldn’t have a problem.

Try this….

1. Take the dust cap off
2. unscrew and open the presta valve
3. attach pump (use adaptor if need be)
4. ask wife to pump
5. take off pump and adaptor if you used one
6. tighten presta valve
7. attach dust cap
8. ride bike

Now most (foot) pumps have a small leaver just where you attach them to the valve. Make sure you get this small leaver into the correct locked position before you start pumping. I have used ones that lock up and others that lock down. Most lock down.

If presta valves continue to cause you problems take up bowls, rumour has it you don’t need to pump them up.

Bought a 2006 Giant reign for 400 last year. Ad said all was good, seemed Ok when I picked it up and rode well for a few weeks then fell apart. New rear mech, shifters, juicy 3’s, BB, cranks and wheels. Bought new bits on FeeBay cheap as poss and sold for 620….lost about 100 in the end but had some fun on the old girl.

end of the month I think plumber……..

This program is so funny…it’s the way they play such emotive music when they kick someone off and techno when they are cooking.
I think it would be so much better if they actually did cook to a techno soundtrack and Michel Roux Jr was in the background on the decks.

1500 is a good price…not much under 1800 at most places and I have done a lot of looking.

@ Rikos
Where have you seen them for 1725? Was it Biketart? They ran out a few days ago but if you have seen it somewhere else that would be good to know about.

Always make me nervous but just try to hit em straight on and hope for the best….sometimes works 😉

Cool pic, Can’t wait for the link to open. Going to make for some great riding. Massive thanks to Tony and everyone involved.