Chain tool?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I have cycled for years and nether had a chain break but for some reason i am thinking should i take a chain tool.

I do clean and lube my chain quite often so do i need to take another thing in my saddle bag just in case.?

 

[BSRU]

I've carried one for a few years now and never used it.

 

[the snail]

I carried one for years and never needed it, then a few months back my (almost new) chain broke and it saved me from a long walk and a failed audax, so the chain tool is staying in my saddle bag.

 

[ianrauk]

Carried one for years and used it once so far.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Except on tour, I have never carried one and never needed it.

(now where is that piece of wood?)

 

[uphillstruggler]

I have one on my crank brothers multi tool. used it once whilst out and about to help another cyclist.

used it more at home whilst fixing or servicing old bikes.

its better to have and not need than need and not have.

 

[HovR]

I've had to use mine twice, once to single-speed a friends road bike when the derailleur went in to the spokes, and once on my mountain bike after the chain decided to snap within about 20 feet of the start of the trail.

For the minimal bit of extra weight it's worth carrying in my opinion.

 

[ColinJ]

Carried one for years and used it once so far.

Carried one for years and rarely used it on my own chains, but have fixed chains for 3 or 4 other riders. I have also watched fellow riders fix chains using their own chain tools.

A broken chain is a showstopper, so I consider the tool essential.

I lost a jockey wheel on a recent ride and had to take my chain off to be able to 'scoot' my bike 4 miles to home. That confirmed that the tool is useful, and that I do not enjoy being miles from home and not being able to ride the bike because of transmission problems.

It is your choice but I say 'carry'.

Put it this way, I doubt that you will ever find yourself regretting carrying an unused tool, but if you ever do break a chain at a bad time, you will remember this thread and think how you should have bought one!

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Colin
I don't want to remember this thread and wish i had bought one so i am going to get this. http://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Tools/universalchaintool_new

 

[Brommyboy]

You can always shorten a dérailleur chain but this eliminates some gears. I carry four spare links and the chain tool. Have had a chain break twice away from home, and this saved a long walk back! In both cases the chain failed due to a manufacturing defect.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

Had a chain snap on me a few months back, que 3 mile walk. I now carry one of those quick links and a chain tool in my backpack just in case.

 

[PatrickPending]

I've had cause to use mine at least three times. Twice when a chain snapped (remove snapped bit and insert spare missing link I carry), and once when a twig got stuck in the rear mech which went into the wheel. Removed bent mech, shortened chain and rode 40Km home on bike in a single speed set up. Its part of a specialised multitool works fine.

 

[PeteXXX]

My Crank Brothers multitool has a chain tool on it. That's worked for me at home and out on the road. I always take it with me just in case.
As a kind of warning, ~This~ is what a chain might look like just before it gives up!

 

[slowmotion]

I've owned a Park Tools CT5 for a few years but I've never taken it with me. It's possibly reckless but I don't want to carry a whole bunch of stuff that I probably won't need.

 

[ColinJ]

I've owned a Park Tools CT5 for a few years but I've never taken it with me. It's possibly reckless but I don't want to carry a whole bunch of stuff that I probably won't need.

Some of the places I ride have no mobile signal, are miles from a call box, taxi, train or bike shop, and are very exposed to nasty weather. I don't intend to get stuck somewhere like that due to leaving my multi-tool at home!

If you don't go to such places, fair enough.