Chain Pins

While I love KMC's MissingLinks, for the life of me, I cannot separate them on my 10-speed chains without using some sort of tool.

Back when my folding bike still had a 1x7 drivetrain I found its MissingLinks were quite easy to disconnect by hand, in comparison.

If the chain is 9 speed or earlier, you can reuse the pin.  When you press it out, don't press it past the second outer plate. When you put the chain back together, press it in from the other side.  After you press them together, you may have to wiggle the chain from side to side to get the chain to roll smoothly.

If it's a 10 speed or later, you can't reuse the pin.  In fact, it will pop out of the outer plate when you press it out.

You can either use one of the master links as others have described or else purchase a replacement pin.  Something like this:  http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/us/en/shimano-chain-connector-pins/rp...

Just purchase the right one for 10- or 11-speed.

If you get a master link, it's easy to install it - just put the halves of the master link together and stomp on the pedals while holding the brakes (i.e. put pressure on the chain without moving the bike).  To remove the master link, you can do it with a set of channellock pliers, but much easier to purchase a tool such as this:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Removal-Replacement-Bike-Bicycle-Motorcycle-Mast...

Relatively cheap from China.

I find that a squeeze with a standard  pair of pliers with a jaw offest on each side of the chain cracks them open easily enough and a quick stamp on the pedal resets them.

Like Jack O, I am all in for KMC Missing Link. Simple to install/remove, inexpensive, and resuable. And by removing your chain makes cleaning your chain and drive train so much easier and faster. 

I've opened and closed SRAM 11 speed "non-reusable" PowerLinks dozens of times without issue, as have many riding buddies.

IMHO there's no need to get the joining pliers, just line up the link on the upper run of chain and bang on the pedals. You will, however, find life is considerably easier if you use the removal pliers, particularly for 11 speed links, and also a chain hook, which can be fashioned out of an old spoke.

Bear in mind that the SRAM powerlinks are designed to be fitted and not split after that.

It's therefore quite deliberately not meant to be easy to open them up!

The kmc version are easy enough to open or close without tools... Usually.

I have kmc missing link chain connectors on every chain I have... Kmc, Shimano and Campagnolo. They are reusable, meaning they can be split and reset many times although they should be binned along with the chain when it wears out.
They are also functionally superb... Much better than the SRAM powerlinks unless you never take the chain off for maintenance.
When fitting on a chain, you remove a full link ie two pins with joining plates.

Does the chain have powerlink style connectors at the moment? If so, a pair of master link pliers (available for a few quid) are a good investment. I almost split my chain for fun these days...

Some front mechs can be split so you don't need to break the chain (the one on my old hybrid could do this), but all current road models I've seen require the chain to be broken.

You can't reuse the pin. Even if you somehow manage to force it back in, it'll either break or be too stiff and cause problems where the chain needs to bend. I doubt you’ll get a spare with the tool.

I wouldn’t bother with a pin though, I’d get this:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram-powerlink-powerlock-chain-connec...

It’ll work fine with a Shimano chain, that’s what I’m running at the moment. Over 1,000 miles with no problem.