Cut the chain too short...

[Archie]

...so do I add some links in or bin the chain?

 

[Sittingduck]

Can you try to add a link or 2 that you removed in error?
It won't cost anything to try but it WILL cost the price of a new chain if you buy one without reason

SD

 

[Archie]

Can you try to add a link or 2 that you removed in error?
It won't cost anything to try but it WILL cost the price of a new chain if you buy one without reason

Indeed. I've still got the spare links, but interested to know if anyone thinks it's A Bad Idea.

 

[fossyant]

What 'speed chain'........ I say that as 9 or 10 speeds are really fussy........ never had any issues with 8's and below.........

 

[Kestevan]

Just add a new section with a couple of speedlink links (or whatever they are calling em).

 

[gbb]

My winter bike has two quick links with a 3 link section added inbetween...no problems for me. No reason there should be really.

 

[Archie]

What 'speed chain'........ I say that as 9 or 10 speeds are really fussy........ never had any issues with 8's and below.........

10 speed

 

[Archie]

Just add a new section with a couple of speedlink links (or whatever they are calling em).

Any reason not to use the links I've already cut out the chain?

 

[swee'pea99]

I did the same earlier today. Have to say it never occurred to me for an instant to do anything other than stick some links back in. What harm could it do?

 

[Mr Pig]

[quote name='swee'pea99']What harm could it do?[/quote]

Well, if you don't use a quick link, and don't join them correctly, it could could snap on you.

 

[Ademort]

Any reason not to use the links I've already cut out the chain?

No, if you use the links you took out in the first place there will be no problem.
Ademort

 

[Archie]

I'm sure I'd seen a web site give advice about never reinserting cut links in a chain, but blowed if I can find it now. Just wanted to see what the guys with practical experience thought. Anyway, I've added an extra two links and will report any problems.

Word of advice for anyone sizing a chain using the bicycle tutor method linked to on Sheldon's website. Leave an extra two links in, subtraction is easier than addition.

 

[andrew_s]

You can use the chain you've cut off, but you should make the join with an extra powerlink so there's two in the chain, or using the Shimano special pins (Shimano chains only)

 

[Ademort]

I'm sure I'd seen a web site give advice about never reinserting cut links in a chain, but blowed if I can find it now. Just wanted to see what the guys with practical experience thought. Anyway, I've added an extra two links and will report any problems.

Word of advice for anyone sizing a chain using the bicycle tutor method linked to on Sheldon's website. Leave an extra two links in, subtraction is easier than addition.

I am absolutely sure that if you use the links that you took off and install them correctly then you will have no problem at all. In 30+ years of cycling i have never come across a chain with links that cannot be ru-used after having being removed.
Ademort

 

[Radius]

No, no way, do NOT reinstall a links on a 10 spd chain like that, it will break. The links are so thin and the reinstalling so inaccurate that they will not stand up to the mutilation. It might look fine, but it will break.