Keith Nickler has a nearly new Shimano Ultegra 10 speed chain, but it has a stiff link which will be annoying him with its clicking. We tell him what to look for and how to cure this annoying problem
Question:
I have a tight link on my 10s ultegra chain. Its only 1.5 months old, and it just started clicking. twice per revolution. Once at the chainrings and again at the derailleur. Do I just replace the pin at the tight link or buy a new chain???
Hi Keith,
The good news is that you don’t need to buy a new chain because you have a stiff link, especially as it is only one and a half months old!
Shimano chains are held together at one point and it is not a good idea to replace any links except at the joining link. If you wipe off any dirt, oil or grease and take a look at the link pins you will see that they are all the same, nice and solid shiny pins, except one which will be black and look very different from the others. Check if this is the stiff link, if it is then it needs freeing off by pushing it through a very small amount, you need a link extractor tool for this, but be very careful not to push it too far as the chain may come apart, now or later when you are out on a ride and that is no fun!
If you need to replace the black pin you need to use the special Shimano pin which pushes through and then the first part is snapped off. If you have to replace this pin then I suggest you get one of the special links, like the SRAM Power Link or an other similar chain linking system.
If it is not the joining link but another link that is stiff then you need to try to hold the chain with your hands either side of the offending link and twist the link from side to side to loosen the stiffness. If this doesn’t work then you will need to get your link extractor tool on the pin and try to push it apart slightly. Remember to use good oil for lubrication, better one with silicone and not the type that dry out the chain like WD40 which is a water displacer and not much of a lubricant.
This should do the trick, but if you have a problem then go to the bike shop and ask them to do the job, but the chain is not worn at this age.
