Connecting Campy 10 Speed Chain

Ernie Jung has a nice new Campagnolo 10 speed chain and now that he has it he doesn’t want to spend lots of money on the tool to connect it! He wants our opinion on what is his best plan for this most important link in the chain.

Question:
When I purchased a Campy 10 speed chain, I was not aware a special connection tool was needed for installation. Here’s my question, would a quick link work properly? or should I take the bike into a shop and have chain installed? I don’t believe paying over a $100 for a tool is justified, but I may be wrong.

Hi Ernie.

mavic_chain The price of the tool to connect a Campagnolo chain is a little steep, especially as you will probably only use it once or twice a year and when all your friends find out you have one they will want to borrow it!

The quick links are very good, I would suggest you try one, you must make sure that you get the correct one before fitting, it must be for the Campagnolo 10 speed chain, don’t try the 9 speed or (if available yet) the 11 speed connector. These will not run through the rear gear very well and also not sit on the teeth of the chain rings or the sprockets of the cassette.

chainlogo Ask at the local bike shop how much they would charge for connecting you new chain, if it is not too expensive, (cheaper than the quick link) then get them to do it. I guess you didn’t buy the new chain from the local shop or they would have fitted it as part of the service. Sometimes it is better to shop locally as it is good to have a good relationship with a mechanic that you can call on at short notice if you have a problem that you cant sort out by yourself.

Its great to be able to buy equipment on-line at a good price, but you must remember the local guy who you might need a favour from one day in an emergency. Also if you buy through mail order it can work out more expensive if there is a problem or you have the wrong item. You would need to send the item back, which would cost and take time; where as the local guy would know your bike and would sell you the correct item or replace anything that was faulty or wrongly fitted.

So go and see the local shop and see what they can do for you.

campy_daytona

2 Responses to “Connecting Campy 10 Speed Chain”

Fred Gilbert October 15, 2009

I’ve had very bad experiences with quick links and campy 10 spd chains. The links will wear the chain much, much faster in the two spots where they connect. You can get reasonable chain tools that do the job. I use a compact Park tool. I have a chain wear gauge that I used to arrive at this conclusion.

Mac October 16, 2009

IMO, “breaking” the chain or even using a link connector may eventually compromise the chain’s integrity. The best, albeit more involved, method I use to install an unbroken Campagnolo chain (or after maintenance/cleaning) without the pricey tool is to remove the carbon cage facings of both derraileurs. Just be mindful not to misplace the bolts as the affair may end up costing as much as a trip to your LBS or even a Campagnolo chain tool itself. Good luck!