Remove a chain link with a chain tool in five minutes

You can remove a bicycle chain link yourself using a chain tool (also called a chain breaker or chain riveter), which costs $15 to $40 and works on most standard chains. The tool pushes the pin that holds two links together out of the chain, separating them. The whole job takes about five minutes once you have the tool and know which pin to target. You do not need to remove the chain from the bike—you can work on it while it is still attached.

This is the most common reason to remove a link: your chain has stretched or broken, and you need to shorten it by one or more links to keep it tight on the frame. Removing a link is also the first step if you need to clean the inside of your chain thoroughly or replace it entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • A chain tool pushes out the pin connecting two links; you can buy one for $15 to $40 at any bike shop or online.
  • Mark the link you want to remove with a marker or tape so you do not accidentally push out the wrong pin.
  • Push the pin out slowly and only partway on the first try—if you push it all the way through, the pin falls out and is hard to find.
  • Once the pin is out far enough, you can bend the chain slightly to separate the two links by hand.
  • If you need to rejoin the chain later, you will need the pin to go back in, so keep it safe in a small container.

What you need before you start

Gather a chain tool, your bike, and a small container (a bottle cap or envelope works). The chain tool has a handle and a small metal pin that aligns with your chain's pin. Some tools have multiple holes or settings for different chain widths—check your chain width (usually printed on the chain itself or visible on the side) and set the tool correctly before you begin.

If you do not own a chain tool, you can borrow one from a bike shop, rent one from some shops for a few dollars, or buy an inexpensive one online. A basic chain tool works on almost all standard bicycle chains. Specialty tools exist for single-speed chains or very narrow chains, but a standard tool handles 95 percent of bikes.

Lay your bike on its side on a flat surface or use a bike stand so the chain hangs freely and you can access both sides of it. You need room to work the chain tool handle without hitting the frame or wheel.

Identify and mark the link you want to remove

Look at your chain and find the link you want to separate. A chain link is made of two outer plates and two inner plates connected by a pin. You are going to push out one of these pins to separate two links. If you are shortening the chain, count from the end you want to keep and mark the link just before the section you plan to remove.

Use a marker, piece of tape, or a small dab of paint to mark the pin you are about to push out. This prevents you from accidentally working on the wrong pin—it is straightforward to lose track when you are focused on the tool. Mark the pin on the side of the chain facing you so you can see it clearly while you work.

If you are removing a broken or damaged link, the damage itself will show you which pin to target. If the chain is straightforward too long, remove links from the end that is easiest to access, usually near the derailleur or crank.

Position the chain tool and push the pin out slowly

Place the chain tool over your marked pin so the tool's pin aligns with the chain's pin. The chain should sit flat in the tool's slot. Tighten the tool's handle slowly by turning it clockwise—do not crank it hard all at once. As you turn, the tool's pin will begin to push the chain's pin outward.

Stop after two or three full turns and check your progress. You want to push the pin out only far enough that the two links can separate—usually about halfway. If you push the pin all the way through, it will fall out, and you will have a hard time finding it or putting it back in. A pin that falls into grass or a garage floor is nearly impossible to recover.

Once the pin is sticking out about a quarter-inch on the other side of the chain, stop turning the handle. Remove the tool and try to bend the chain slightly to see if the two links will separate. If they do not move, give the pin another quarter-turn and try again.

Separate the links and keep the pin safe

Once the pin is far enough out, hold the chain on both sides of the marked link and bend it gently upward or downward. The two links should come apart. If they are stuck, the pin is probably not out far enough—put the tool back on and turn it another half-turn, then try bending again.

When the links separate, the pin may stay in one of the links or fall out. If it falls out, catch it when ready and place it in your small container. If it stays in a link, carefully pull it out by hand or with pliers and store it in the same container. Do not lose this pin—you will need it if you ever rejoin the chain.

Inspect the two separated links to make sure they are not bent or damaged. If you are removing a broken link, you may see cracks or deformation. If the links look good, you can now remove the section of chain you no longer need, or proceed with whatever repair or cleaning you planned.

Rejoin the chain if you need to put it back together

If you removed a link by mistake or need to reconnect the chain later, you will use the pin you saved. Align the two chain ends so the outer plates face outward on both sides. Slide the pin back into the hole from the side it came out of, pushing it in by hand until it is flush with the outer plate.

Once the pin is fully seated, the chain is mechanically joined again, but the link may feel stiff. Flex the chain gently by hand a few times to loosen it up. If the link stays stiff after a minute of flexing, the pin may not be fully seated—remove the chain tool, check the alignment, and try again.

If you pushed the original pin all the way through and lost it, you have two options: buy a replacement chain pin (usually $2 to $5 at a bike shop) or replace the entire chain. A replacement pin works if you are just reconnecting a chain you shortened. If the chain is damaged or very old, replacement is often the better choice.

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is pushing the pin all the way out and losing it. Turn the tool handle slowly and check your progress every few turns. A pin that falls out is almost never recoverable, and you cannot rejoin the chain without it.

Another common error is using the wrong setting on your chain tool if it has multiple holes. A tool that is too small for your chain will not align properly and may bend the pin instead of pushing it out cleanly. Check your chain width before you start and use the correct hole or setting.

Do not try to separate the links by force before the pin is far enough out. Bending the chain hard when the pin is still mostly in place can bend the outer plates, making it impossible to rejoin the chain later. Let the tool do the work—patience takes five minutes, and rushing takes an hour of frustration.

Finally, do not work on a chain that is under tension. If the chain is tight on the frame, the links will not separate cleanly even after the pin is out. Loosen the rear wheel or shift to the smallest chainring and largest cog to create slack before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a chain link without a chain tool?

Not cleanly. A hammer and nail or a drill can push a pin out, but you risk bending the pin, damaging the chain plates, or pushing the pin too far and losing it. A chain tool costs less than $20 and does the job safely. If you only need to remove a link once, borrowing or renting a tool from a bike shop is cheaper than replacing a damaged chain.

How do I know if my chain is too long?

Shift to the smallest chainring and largest cog. The chain should be tight but not pulling the derailleur forward. If there is slack or the derailleur hangs loose, the chain is too long. If the chain is so tight it pulls the derailleur forward or makes shifting hard, it is too short. Most chains need one to three links removed if they have stretched over time.

What if the pin breaks while I am pushing it out?

A broken pin means the link cannot be rejoined. You will need to remove both links on either side of the break and replace that section of chain, or replace the entire chain. This is rare if you use a proper chain tool and turn it slowly, but it can happen if the pin is old or corroded. If it does break, take the chain to a bike shop—they can remove the damaged section and rejoin the chain with a new pin.

Do I need to remove the chain from the bike to remove a link?

No. You can work on the chain while it is still attached to the frame. Just make sure there is slack in the chain and you have room to position the tool. Removing the chain entirely is only necessary if you want to clean it thoroughly or replace it.

Can I reuse the same pin if I remove and rejoin a link multiple times?

Yes, as long as the pin is not bent or damaged. Store it in a dry place so it does not rust. If the pin gets bent during removal, it will not slide back in smoothly—replace it with a new one from a bike shop.