Advice for a numpty - Chain repair and will tyres fit?
Discussion
Sorry for the simplistic questions but i am a mechanical numpty.
I have a defy composite 2 2014 which currently has 23c tyres on - Will 25c ones fit? I am considering replacing the std giant tyres with some gatorskins.
My bike has shimano tiagra 10 speed gearing with a KMC X10SL chain apparently. What exactly do I need to fix a snapped chain during a ride?
My wife has a Liv Avail 2 2015 with Tiagra and a KMC X10 NP chain, what will i need to fix her chain on the move?
Finally can anyone point me in the direction of an easy to follow guide on repairing said chains?
I have a defy composite 2 2014 which currently has 23c tyres on - Will 25c ones fit? I am considering replacing the std giant tyres with some gatorskins.
My bike has shimano tiagra 10 speed gearing with a KMC X10SL chain apparently. What exactly do I need to fix a snapped chain during a ride?
My wife has a Liv Avail 2 2015 with Tiagra and a KMC X10 NP chain, what will i need to fix her chain on the move?
Finally can anyone point me in the direction of an easy to follow guide on repairing said chains?
Wth regards the tyres, I'm not 100% sure but I know that a mate has a Giant Defy and it's a tight squeeze but a 25c tyre will fit, nothing bigger than that though.
For the chain there's plenty of videos online showing how to repair it like this one on Bike Radar:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-repla...
Plenty of multi-tools will have a chain breaker built in to them and they're a doddle to use once you've got the hang of them. As both bikes are 10 speed, a you'll need is a 10 speed link, something like a KMC Missing Link or one of the SRAM ones. The 10 speed link will fit either the road bike or MTB. They're dead easy to use and you don't need any extra tools to use them.
For the chain there's plenty of videos online showing how to repair it like this one on Bike Radar:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/how-to-repla...
Plenty of multi-tools will have a chain breaker built in to them and they're a doddle to use once you've got the hang of them. As both bikes are 10 speed, a you'll need is a 10 speed link, something like a KMC Missing Link or one of the SRAM ones. The 10 speed link will fit either the road bike or MTB. They're dead easy to use and you don't need any extra tools to use them.
Chain repair?
Park Tools 'Chain Brute' http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/park-tool-mini-...
Sits pretty flat too. I keep mine in the net compartment inside the flap of my seat-pack. I'm going to buy a couple more too, because sometimes I forget to swap it between bikes.
KMC 'Missing Link' chain repair links are good, what I've used up until now...
...but the last new chain I bought, I got a Wipperman Connex 10 speed connector link instead. It's supposed to be easier to open without tools than the KMC ones, and it's one of the few that are stated by the manufacturer as being repeatedly re-usable. This suits me as I often split chains to soak them for cleaning and I don't want to risk failure or have to keep buying new links:
Wipperman Connex 10spd Chain Link http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/wipperman-connex...
Park Tools 'Chain Brute' http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/park-tool-mini-...
Sits pretty flat too. I keep mine in the net compartment inside the flap of my seat-pack. I'm going to buy a couple more too, because sometimes I forget to swap it between bikes.
KMC 'Missing Link' chain repair links are good, what I've used up until now...
...but the last new chain I bought, I got a Wipperman Connex 10 speed connector link instead. It's supposed to be easier to open without tools than the KMC ones, and it's one of the few that are stated by the manufacturer as being repeatedly re-usable. This suits me as I often split chains to soak them for cleaning and I don't want to risk failure or have to keep buying new links:
Wipperman Connex 10spd Chain Link http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/wipperman-connex...
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