We have been emphasizing the importance of a bike chain to your bicycle. But, for some reason, there will come a time that you will need to remove a link from the chain. Whether you want to make some adjustments to a new chain or remove a broken link while in the middle of the road, removing a link to a bike chain is a regular maintenance thing that every biker does from time to time.
You ever wondered how to remove a link from a bike chain? For a newbie, doing this removal process can be a challenge, but everything can be learned if you are willing to do so. So, if you want to know the right way to remove a link, below is the step-by-step process to remove a link from a bike chain easily.
How to Remove a Bike Chain Link
Basically, there are three different ways to remove a bike chain link, and it all depends on the type of chain and the availability of the tools. If the bike chain comes with a quick link or a master link, removing the chain link will be easy compared to the other process.
However, if the bike chain does not have the master link, you will need a chain breaker tool to remove a link from the chain. Lastly, if you do not have a chain breaker tool, then you can improvise removing a chain link by looking for other tools that can similarly do the job, albeit in a more challenging way.
Method 1: Removing a chain link through the master link
If your bike chain comes with a quick link or a master link, then removing a link from your bike chain will be done using this first method. But what is a master link? It is a roller chain accessory the conveniently allows the connection and disconnection of a link in a bike chain. But, to find the master link, you will need to check on your bike chain carefully. If you try to inspect your bike chain, you will notice a wider link than the others. If you see a fat link, then that is the master link.
Once you already recognized the quick link, you will only need to compress the said link to open. It is so easy. However, it is easier said than done since the link is so stiff that you will not be able to remove the link with your bare hands even though it can be done. So, to be able to remove the link, you will need the assistance of pliers. My preference is a special quick link plier since this tool is designed to fit into the chain easily.
You will insert the pliers into the master link and then push them together to unlock the pin. Then you can remove the pliers and adjust the links accordingly. If you want to put the chain back, all you need to do is relink the rivets found at the end of the chain while securing it in its proper place.
Method 2: Removing link to a bike chain with regular link
If your bike chain does not have a quick link or a master link, then it is considered a regular link. Removing a link of this type of chain can be done using a unique tool called a chain breaker tool or, to others, it is simply called a chain tool. The chain breaker tool is designed to push the rivet of the chain out from the chain link to be able to remove it.
You will need to put the bike chain to the chain breaker tool the right way during the removal process. Make sure that the link is fitted firmly into the tool for the pin to align into the rivet. It should be in the center of the rivet, and it should be properly aligned. Once they are, start twisting the handle using a firm grip to apply the maximum amount of force. It may need you to exert more force to get started for the pin to push the rivet out slowly.
Continue to twist the handle until most of the rivet comes out. It is normal for you to feel some resistance when the rivet is near the end of the chain. Once it comes out, remove the chain from the chain tool and use your hand to wiggle the link to separate from the chain. Then remove the link accordingly to your preference. If you want to reattach the link, just reversed the process but still use the chain breaker tool.
Method 3: Removing a regular link without using the chain tool
If you do not have a chain tool in your position, you can still remove a link from a bike chain using tools that can do it. However, this process is just an alternative where we use tools that can do the purpose of the chain tool. We will need a hammer and a nail punch for the removal process, but obviously, using these tools will be much more challenging and difficult than the more suitable chain tool. You will also need a piece of wood and a drill.
What you will do is drill a small hole into the wood, which is enough for the rivet to go through. Then, position the chain so that the rivet will come out into the hole of the wood. Get the nail punch and point it to the rivet. What you can do is wack the chain with the hammer and the nail punch until the river comes out. This process can be a difficult approach, but if you have no other choice, you might as well do it. I am just giving you an excellent option.
Conclusion
Learning how to remove a link from a bike chain is one of the skills that a biker should know. There will come a time that you will experience chain breakage, and the need to remove the link is needed. When you encounter this situation in the middle of the road, there is no other way for you than to remove the link on your own. Meaning, it is essential for you to learn to remove the link from a bike chain the right way.