Shortening a chain or replacing a damaged link on a 10-speed drivetrain requires Shimano's connecting pin to restore full chain integrity. The three-pack from Shimano covers multiple repairs or chain sizing adjustments, and since these pins are single-use by design, having spares on hand saves a trip to the shop mid-project. Each pin features an extended guide section that makes installation straightforward even on your first attempt, eliminating the frustration of trying to line up a standard rivet with the outer link plate.

The design uses a three-groove profile that matches Shimano's newer generation of 10-speed chains across both road and mountain applications. A narrower starter section at the tip slides into the link plates without fighting alignment, and the chain tool pushes the pin through until the guide section sits flush with the outer plate. Once installed, you snap off the protruding guide at a pre-set perforation using pliers, and the connection is permanent. Work the link back and forth a few times by hand to free up any stiffness before riding, and confirm that the pin sits centered in the outer plate without any overhang on either side.

Compatibility spans the full range of Shimano 10-speed HyperGlide and InterGlide chains including the CN-7901, CN-7900, CN-7801, CN-6701, CN-6700, CN-6600, CN-5701, and CN-5600 on the road side, plus the CN-M980, CN-HG94, CN-HG74, and CN-HG54 for mountain drivetrains. The original Dura-Ace CN-7800 used a different single-groove pin design and is not compatible with these three-groove pins. If you're still running that first-generation 10-speed chain, Shimano recommends replacing it with a current-generation chain rather than sourcing the discontinued connector pin. Keep one of these pins in your saddle bag or repair kit for roadside chain repairs where a quick link might not match the chain's outer width as precisely.