Shimano HG70 Chain and other narrow Shimano chains. The Reinforced Connecting Pin.

What is the f'n point of buying this chain if it's so easy to ruin it with your average chain breaker?  Why would Shimano EVER consider selling this shit to anyone...and why the hell do I need a special link pin for this garbage?  Chains break sometimes, albeit rarely, and it's never happened to me, so why Shimano?  WHY?

What is better?  I'm looking at a Wipperman Connex 708 instead.... but am I going to get the same line of bullshit from Germany that I am from Japan?  If my chain breaks, I want to be able to whip out my Alien tool, cut out the problem link, and shorten the chain until I can get to the next town to find a good replacement.

Shimano, why are we defying years of sound logic in chain design?  I get that 10-11 cog rear cassettes need some special help, but THIS IS PART OF THE &*(!@# REASON WHY I SWITCHED TO FEWER GEARS!  WTF?!!

$30 down the toilet.  Screw you on this one, cycling overlord.  Otherwise I like many of the things you produce, BUT THIS CHAIN SHOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT THE FACTORY.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Juan Primo on December 2, 2014 at 3:31am

You generally don't need a special link pin for 8 speed chains.  SRAM chains use a speed link and are pretty affordable.

I've never had the problem you've had with Shimano chains.

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on December 2, 2014 at 3:49am

I will "second" that, ..SRAM chains are a very good choice.

Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on December 2, 2014 at 4:37am

I'll third SRAM chains.  A little chain-breaker and an extra PowerLink in your bag will get you home from most chain failures. Never had any complaints about their chains.

Permalink Reply by djm on December 2, 2014 at 5:51am

++SRAM.  I stock up on the mid-grade PC x7x chains when they are on sale (~ $16).

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on December 2, 2014 at 11:46am
This is a first for me, outside of the high end racing range. This thing has a users guide warning me to only use their ridiculous pin.

Juan Primo said:

You generally don't need a special link pin for 8 speed chains.  SRAM chains use a speed link and are pretty affordable.

I've never had the problem you've had with Shimano chains.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on December 2, 2014 at 12:56pm

You really should not be pushing pins out and back in on any modern multispeed chain.  Use either the provided pin or proper connecting link for your chain.

If you do break the chain you can either shorten it with a chain tool and use the provided connecting link if it has one with limited gear selection or by single speeding it.  You can also just carry a spare connecting link or pin.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on December 2, 2014 at 2:33pm

Don't put the chain on backwards :)

Permalink Reply by djm on December 2, 2014 at 3:07pm

Some Shimano chains are asymmetric and can be put on backwards.

KevinM said:

Don't put the chain on backwards :)

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on December 2, 2014 at 4:53pm

....then it's time to be less modern.  :-(


notoriousDUG said:

You really should not be pushing pins out and back in on any modern multispeed chain.  Use either the provided pin or proper connecting link for your chain.

If you do break the chain you can either shorten it with a chain tool and use the provided connecting link if it has one with limited gear selection or by single speeding it.  You can also just carry a spare connecting link or pin.

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on December 2, 2014 at 5:00pm

Oh!  Good Grief!  I can't imagine a world where things will be made to be less useful?

djm said:

Some Shimano chains are asymmetric and can be put on backwards.

KevinM said:

Don't put the chain on backwards :)

Permalink Reply by Matt M. 18.5KM on December 6, 2014 at 6:46pm

Thanks everyone!  I returned the Shimano HG and exchanged it for a SRAM PC 830.  Very quiet and smooth.  SRAM tried to get me to buy the weird master link tool in their installation instructions, but it slid together beautifully with a standard pair of pliers (with no damage or deformation to the links).

BruceBikes said:

I'll third SRAM chains.  A little chain-breaker and an extra PowerLink in your bag will get you home from most chain failures. Never had any complaints about their chains.

Permalink Reply by djm on December 6, 2014 at 7:09pm

Ive never needed to use any tools to open or close SRAM PowerLinks.  To close, line up both pin grooves in their side plate keyholes and apply tension on the chain by pushing on a pedal (by hand) with the rear brake applied.  Unlocking the PowerLink is a little more difficult:  you need to squeeze the side plates together while simultaneously sliding the pins (via the side plates) toward each other.

Matt M. 18.5KM said:

Thanks everyone!  I returned the Shimano HG and exchanged it for a SRAM PC 830.  Very quiet and smooth.  SRAM tried to get me to buy the weird master link tool in their installation instructions, but it slid together beautifully with a standard pair of pliers (with no damage or deformation to the links).

BruceBikes said:

I'll third SRAM chains.  A little chain-breaker and an extra PowerLink in your bag will get you home from most chain failures. Never had any complaints about their chains.

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