Chain tools live in two places: the shop bench and the saddle bag. The Park Tool CT-5 is built for the second scenario, sized to fit in a jersey pocket or seat pack but still functional enough to handle a trailside repair without the compromises that plague most miniature tools. The rotating handle design gives you actual leverage when driving the pin, which matters when you're standing on the side of the road with cold hands and a snapped chain.

The CT-5 handles 5 through 12-speed chains, covering everything from older mountain bike drivetrains through current road groupsets. A replaceable driving pin does the actual work of pushing chain pins, and when it eventually wears out or breaks, you swap in a fresh one rather than replacing the whole tool. Park Tool sells replacement pins separately, so a single CT-5 can last through years of use if you keep a spare pin in your repair kit.

The chain holder shelf keeps the chain aligned during pin installation, which prevents the crooked engagement that can damage side plates or leave you with a stiff link. This is where cheap chain tools fail most often—the chain slips mid-push, the pin goes in at an angle, and you end up with a link that doesn't articulate properly. The CT-5's holder eliminates most of that risk by keeping everything stable while you work.... Read More