Shimano Connecting Pin

[AyBee]

Any idea how I identify which pin in my chain is the connecting pin please? The chain is Shimano Ultegra if it helps?

[WinstonWolf]

It may be a different colour, if it's reusable look for some slots on it.

[yellowjack]

AyBee said:

Any idea how I identify which pin in my chain is the connecting pin please? The chain is Shimano Ultegra if it helps?

If you are breaking a chain, it won't matter. You can't reuse a Shimano chain pin anyway. Either buy another (they're longer than a standard pin, with a 'break-off' segment) or buy a 'quick link' reusable chain connector. Not available as Shimano OE, but plenty of compatible brands make them.

If you really MUST find the connecting pin, clean the chain, then look closely at the ends of all the pins. I have a feeling that the 'connecting' pin will be black(ish), whilst the remainder will be nice and shiny. Someone else may be able to confirm this, though.

[walm]

As per YellowJack - no idea why you need to find the connecting pin specifically...!

ETA - I found shimano connecting pins a total ball-ache. My chain tool kept slipping off the pin - although the more recent ones added an indent to help with that it still sucked.

The missing/magic links are marvelous. With the added benefit that most are re-usable so you can take the chain off and put it back on quickly and easily which is great for proper cleaning.

Edited by walm on Monday 21st July 13:36

[AyBee]

The chain snapped so I want to find out if it snapped at the connecting pin or was faulty.

[AyBee]

I'll add that it took the front mech with it (Ultegra di2 ) and as far as I'm aware, you can't replace bits of the mech, only the whole thing. If anybody knows any different, you could save me a small fortune...

[WinstonWolf]

Pics of the damage may help

[AyBee]

WinstonWolf said:

Pics of the damage may help

Chain or mech? No pics on me I'm afraid, on the chain one of the side plates has just removed itself from the pin which then caught the front mech and dragged it into the front chainring and snapped the shiny bit that says "Ultegra" on the below picture:

[gazza285]

There was a bad batch of Ultegra chains a while back, could be you have one of those, check for cracks in the side plates.

Busted chains

[upsidedownmark]

Generally the push in / link pin will have a slight dimple on one side (hopefully the outside), and will protrude a bit more on the other (hopefully the inside). Of course, someone may have installed it from the inside out, in which case reverse the above.