Just found out Shimano chain tool pins are backwards from Park Tool ones

I was at a shop in Portland last week helping a buddy rebuild his 11-speed drivetrain and I grabbed the wrong tool out of his box. Broke a brand new KMC chain because I pushed the pin out the wrong way. Turns out Shimano tools push from the opposite side compared to Park Tool. Who decided that was a good idea? Have you guys ever messed up a chain from using the wrong direction?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_carr591d ago

I've broken like 4 chains over the years doing the same thing. Honestly people act like it's a huge deal but you pop the new pin in and it's fine. Just don't do it on a group ride.

parker_bell20h ago

Wait, has anyone actually checked if the pin direction thing is even consistent across different Shimano models? I swear my old 105 tool from like 2015 pushes the pin from the same side as Park Tool, but I could be losing my mind lol. That would be wild if Shimano changed it at some point and nobody noticed because everyone just assumes all their stuff is backwards. I've got a buddy who swears by using a chain breaker from a hardware store, says it works the same either way because the pin is centered in the tool. Honestly I think the whole direction thing is overblown, you just gotta pay attention to which side the pin comes out and mark your tool with a marker or something.