Customer Reviews:
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 Won't install Shimano reinforced connector pins, September 23, 2009
By Wildhare
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The Park Tool CT-5 Mini Chain Brute Tool worked fine to remove my old chain but it did not work to install my new chain. I was installing a Shimano CN-HG93 9 speed narrow chain which uses a reinforced connector pin with a break-off adapter extension to facilitate assembly. The length of this pin exceeds the available throw of this chain tool and it was of no value in installing the new chain. I ended up taking my bike to my local Trek bike shop where they installed the new chain for no charge.
12 of 14 people found the above review helpful.
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 Not a great tool, May 12, 2010
By A. Popuri (NY)
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This is not a GREAT tool. This will help you in a bind and will effectively break a chain. It will not replace a pin to fix a chain though. The slot for the tool is just too small. Thats what I get for spending under ten dollars on a park tool. To be honest with you, Park Tools are really great tools, you can tell they really put the extra effort in their tools. Their bottom of the barrel tools are really lacking though. They just lack complete functionality. Sadly, I would not recommend this to a friend. I find this not completely useful and will end up buying another chain breaker.
****3 months later****
So I ended up finding out it was my own ignorance that lead me to rate this chain breaker lower than it should have been. The first few times I used the tool, I was using it improperly which lead me to have problems pushing the pin back in once I shortened the chain. I assumed it was the tool's fault after I saw another person's feedback with a similar problem. A few weeks ago though, I found this link: [...]
In the video, this guy uses this exact tool and shows that you can successful replace a chain if you are doing it correctly. Chain breaking and replacement is difficult and is often the frustation to many beginners like my self that are trying to do bike maintenance. You must remember to only push the pin out just far enough to break the chain. If it is pushed out too far you are going to have problems regardless of the tool. Also, READ and WATCH as much instruction before you go off and do your maintenance. It will help with getting over any roadblocks you run into along the way.
I am changing the rating of this tool from a 2 to a 4. It doesn't get 5 starts even though it does everything any other breaker does because it is still a small tool. Other tools are more expensive because they are easier to grip and easier to use. I would recommend this to friend now that I know how to properly use the tool.
9 of 12 people found the above review helpful.
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 Small, portable and reliable, September 21, 2009
By Noel Modesto
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Before purchasing this I read the reviews posted by former purchasers of this product. One said that the small size, made it quite difficult to use. I have to disagree with that review. I actually found the small size one of the best aspects of this tool.
5 of 7 people found the above review helpful.
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Great tool. No need for a more expensive tool for a few uses., March 7, 2011
By C. Macaluso (New Orleans, LA)
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After reading many reviews on Chain Tools I was unsure whether or not this little guy would do the job. However, I am happy to report that this tool worked perfectly to break two separate chains that I needed to break down. It is well made and very sturdy. My only complaint is that, being so small, it is hard to gain leverage necessary to easily break the chain. I was still able to break the chains without much issue, but I can imagine this would be a bit easier on a tool with a long handle which can be had for 2-6 times the price of this one. I'll stick with the Park CT-5 at this price and function.
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Park mini chain tool, December 6, 2010
By jeff240v (Des Moines, Iowa USA)
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This is a very good small take along tool... small is the operative word. Very good steel and precision fabrication, used properly it gets the job done. 1) don't push the pin all the way out, unless it's a shimano chain and you have the replacement break off pin ( you need a pliers to break the scored pin ) 2 you may need to put a screw driver through the tool grip for more leverage with a tight or corroded pin ( I don't let my chains get rusty ). 3) expect to work slower with this tool than a big shop tool with lot's of leverage and grip... then you'll do fine, Park tools are usually excellent.
4 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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The small version, December 9, 2010
By Craig S. Prior
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This is a small tool. It's intended to be small to fit into a small, portable toolkit.
I have no problems with it. It works exactly as it's supposed to.
The advantage of Park's larger chain tool is it's easier to apply pressure and thus easier to use. If that is your objective get the large tool. If you are looking to save space in a portable toolkit get this smaller one... but expect to have to work a little harder.
Now that we understand the difference between the large and small tools, choose accordingly. If your decision is to choose the small one then I highly recommend it. It works perfectly.
4 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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15 minutes to replace a chain for an amateur!, September 23, 2010
By Sharky
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I bought this tool and a shimano 7/8/9 speed chain to replace the original chain on my 8 speed bike. I have never replaced a chain before, but using this tool and following instructions on [...] I was able to remove the old one and install the new one in less than 15 minutes. Be sure to follow the directions and use the right slot on the tool or I could see how you could accidentally push the pin out all the way and then you'd be in trouble.
3 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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 VERY hard to break a chain, June 18, 2009
By M. J Lane (USA)
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The lever that you turn to apply pressure to the chain is very short. If you are trying to break a "virgin" link it is going to be very difficult for certain chain types.
Also, please be aware that some chains are not meant to be broken and then put back together. The breaking of the chain will weaken the link beyond the point where it is safe to use. For those kinds of chains you still need this tool to break it but when you want to put it back together you'll need a "quick release" replacement link that is appropriate to your chain.
The directions for this tool show replacing the pin for chains where I don't think it is appropriate to do so. In short, be careful and make sure you understand the chain you are breaking and how to safely reassemble it. One thing you can do is break the chain and then take it to your local bike shop for advice on reassembling it safely.
3 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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One of my favorite tools, May 6, 2010
By smatsushima1
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I have used this tool so many times and still holds up perfectly fine. It is small enough to carry with me on each ride. As with all of Park Tool's products, this thing will definitely last a lifetime and even if it does break, it has replaceable pins.
Everyone needs a chain breaker tool and this is the perfect tool for most people.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Park Tool CT-5 Chain Tool, July 31, 2009
By Repair Guy (Essexville, MI)
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. I bought this for future use, but I did try it out to make sure it worked as advertised. The instructions are detailed, but I had previously seen a video on the internet as to how to use the tool. The tool has two brackets to support the chain link while being worked on. One for pushing the pin out and pushing it back in and one for if the chain link is stiff after the pin is pushed back in and it has to be adjusted a little bit. The tool worked fine and I had no troubles at all. This is the only chain tool I've ever owned so I am unable to fairly compare it to others. I also took into consideration that it was manufactured by Park Tool.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Nice Tool, April 18, 2009
By Catman (Oregon, USA)
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It's small and light enough that I don't hesitated to take it on rides even if the odds of a broken chain are slim. Being small has the disadvantage of requiring quite a bit of force to press out a rivet but it's not unacceptably difficult. If you're like most of us and rarely need to break a chain, it's an ideal tool.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Great space saver, January 28, 2009
By Textoad (Texas)
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Great small chainbreaker. Not something I care for short rides,,, but saves space in the toolbox at home.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Worked great, May 16, 2011
By thebiggman1
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I originally bought this tool to fix a stiff link in my chain. This was my first attempt at fixing/breaking a bike chain. I had no problem breaking the chain, fixing the stiff link and putting the chain back together. I think this is a great tool, and it is small enough to fit in my "under the seat" repair kit.
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Solid Tool, May 4, 2011
By BWelt
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I was a little worried the tool would fall apart after just a few uses, but i don't change my chain very often so no big deal. Happy to report that it was built a lot better then anticipated. Even after a year of begin kicked around the bottom of a tool box didn't need any kind of adjustment or bending back into place to get to work straight away.
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Good for one thing only, February 24, 2010
By James Brewer (OKC, OK)
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If all you need to do is break a link this will do it. My wife couldn't do it cause the handle is too small and she cant get the leverage needed with this small tool but i can do it just fine. If you need to put a rivet back in a chain forget it cause its not gonna happen with this tool. For the price though not a bad little tool to keep in your pack.
2 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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The PIN always falls out!!!, July 25, 2011
By Ojai Couple
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For some reason I have kept buying this over the past years. And for some design reason the pin in the tool ALWAYS falls out and goes missing never to be found and leaves me up the creak when my chain breaks.
Why can't the pin be glued or lock-tighted in? I don't get it.
I've always thought this tool was easy to use and fairly light weight but the pin always vibrating out is horrible.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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works perfectly, September 8, 2010
By A. Rizzo
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very good design. you can hold it in your hand and crank it with the other. you don't need a wrench to hold the chain braker. It is also designed so that you can put the chain in the upper opening and push the pin in the link and spread the link apart. This allows the chain to rotate freely. You have probably used a chain break before and then put the chain together and found the link is very tight and doesn't rotate freely. This fixes that problem. Highly recommend.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Good Chain Tool, February 20, 2009
By Simple User (Seattle, WA USA)
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This is a good chain tool. It does the job and it is easy to carry in the saddle bag. It is not easy to use because of its small size. It takes all the strength I have to break the chain, but it does work.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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8^Y, July 5, 2011
By W. Oakley
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I bought this chain tool to break a 1/8" KMC Z510HX, which was a smashing success *hand fives all around.* I had never replaced a chain before, and thus had never broken a chain before, so my success should be used as evidence towards the ability of this chain tool to break (some) 1/8" and 3/32" chains. All I did was jam the link as far down as possible into the slot further away from the pin and twist the screw as hard as possible, using random hard surfaces to push the rotating rod thing against. Regarding 3/32" and 1/8" chains, I cannot say that users will have much success at partially removing a pin and re-inserting it, but for the simple task of completely removing pins to shorten chains, the Park Tool CT-5 GETS THE JOB DONE. :o)
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Easy, does its job, September 11, 2010
By Blue (Ohio, USA)
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Last week was the first time I changed a chain. This tool made it simple and I had no problem taking one chain off and putting on a new one. It was also easy to shorten my new chain to fit onto my bike. The lever is not hard to turn. And if you take your time and don't push the rivet all the way through, you should have no worries.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Great chain tool!, July 9, 2010
By John Manning Richardson (LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, US)
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I needed to shorten the chain on my commuter bike when converting it to a single-speed, and this tool did the trick. Great tool, great price.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Really great tool., May 25, 2010
By Sleepy
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Using this tool for 3 different bikes, I find it extremely easy to use and durable. It works with all the chains flawlessly and rarely no strength is needed. For the reviewers saying "there is not enough leverage", then you should avoid fixing bikes, b/c your strength is a pity to the human race. I don't work out at all, and I find it more then easy enough. I even have to make sure I don't remove the rivet b/c I can barely feel any resistance w/ loosing it from the chain. This tool is definately a 5/5.
By the way, you should NOT take out the rivet from the chain, you might not be able to put it back. Only take it out enough so u can pull the chain apart while the rivet is still on one of the outer plates. There is no need to take out the rivet anyway as you risk losing it if you don't have anywhere to put it. The part that also gets rid of a stiff link works well, this tool was more then i expected for the price.
See this video on how to use this chian the right way, this guy knows alot, and his site is where I learn most of my maintence skills from :
[...].
P.S. Go Amazon for quick shipping too, barely had to wait :). Thanks for the speedy shipping as always.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Almost Perfect, July 30, 2011
By AgentC (SC)
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Only one easily avoidable issue w/ this tool
When tightened down all the way (which is where you'd store it) the slide bar is perpendicular to the body of the tool (essentially forming a X ).
This is not what you want for storage and does not allow you to store it flat and still be tight so it doesn't come loose.
Overall I like the tool, especially as the break point is replacable if damaged.
But this major design oversight makes the tool just less than perfect.
** Please read, they make a different unit for BMX bikes, etc.
Make sure you order the proper one for your chain type.
This model will work for the vast majority of folks. **
1 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Great little tool, February 6, 2012
By E. Bakalakos (Los Angeles, CA)
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This thing is small...can fit in the palm of your hand. It is perfect for me, I used it to resize an SRAM chain for my fixed gear.
Very solid construction as well.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Great, December 7, 2011
By omgar
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I purchased this tool about 5 months ago and it has worked flawlessly every single time. I just purchased another one for a friend who kept borrowing mine. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this tool.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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A great chain tool for the trail/road, September 6, 2011
By BillJ.
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After owning this chain tool for only a couple of months now I have unfortunately had the chance to use it multiple times on both SRAM and Shimano type chains and link pins.
Bottom line: this is a great tool.
The Good:
Light, strong, functional design, replaceable center punch/pin, very easy to use.
The Bad:
Well, nothing really.
I did have the center punch/pin unscrew off the tool, leaving it in a link one time, but I believe this happened for two reasons. One, inherent in the design of the replaceable punch/pin, it has to be able to screw off to replace. I think it came a little loose so, when I tried to back off the tool one time it simply unscrewed the replaceable pin from the tool. I really do not think this was the tool's fault and the knurled body of the punch/pin was enough to let me get it out of the link, back on the tool and me back on the trail in just a few seconds extra time. When I got home I simply tightened the punch/pin onto the tool with some small nose pliers.
I am still keeping my review to a 5 star, as I view this as my failure to properly tighten the punch/pin before using it.
I would recommend this stand alone chain tool as a carry along on the trail or road over any I have used that are part of a multi-tool.
A quality tool that should give you years of service.
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Brute Chain Tool, August 26, 2011
By ottolan
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This is a wonderful bike chain tool. It does the job of splitting and closing a bike chain extremely well. Even my little grand son or my grandmother(if she still would be alife) could use it.
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Park Tool CT-5 Mini Chain Brute Chain Tool, September 3, 2009
By John (Detroit)
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Tool could be desinged better. It is almost impossible to put the pin back in the chain after you drill it out. I have to use glue to line the pin up to the hole and push it back in. Which is very time consuming, with some luck I am able to put chain back together.
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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 Worthless, August 6, 2011
By Hunter Mickow (CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS, US)
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I but this product to put a chain becak together (pretty simple stuff), but it proved to be very difficult with this product. In addittion, the tool broke upon its second use.
0 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Works as it should, March 8, 2012
By Bret
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I ordered a chain (not Shimano) and it removes the pins just fine. I'm new at this so I will give all the other new people some advice... if you plan to put the pins back in the holes, don't remove them all the way! Such a pain to get them back in.
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American made quality tool!, January 25, 2012
By Felix Book Reader (Saginaw Valley, Michigan, USA)
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I wanted a small, compact tool that would fit into my tool kit which I carry on my bike for emergency repairs. The CT-5C chain tool is made of a cast steel material not a poor quality, inexpensive, non-ferrous alloy. It is well machined with excellent fit and finish, in other words it's a high quality tool. I suggest that a person buy some extra chain pins from a local bike shop and keep them with the chain tool for emergency repairs when they're riding.
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Park Tool ct-5, March 25, 2012
By Bill
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It worked ok (not much leverage with the small handles). After using it a dozen or so times the threads striped our. I like buying any thing made in USA but if this is the best we can do, I may as well shop by price.
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Min Chain Tool...NOT, April 30, 2012
By HandyMan28
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The tool itself is pretty cool; but I could of gone to Wallmart and bought a bike chain tool for $5.00. This tool is not for "mini" chains; it's for bicycle chains. Why not advertise it as a bicycle chain tool. It did not work for my #25 roller chain, probably wouldn't work for 35 chain also; so I don't see "mini" in the tool. Pictures are too vague as to what type of chain it will work on. Fool me once , but not again!
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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