If you've ever installed a Shimano 11-speed chain, you know the deal — the connecting pin is single-use, and once you break the chain to size it, that original pin gets discarded. Shimano's 11-Speed Chain Pin 3-Pack keeps spares on the bench for exactly those situations, whether you're building up multiple bikes, replacing a chain that came without enough pins, or throwing a spare in the saddle bag for roadside repairs.

The pins feature an extra-long design with a narrower starter section that guides the pin into the chain plate cleanly. That tapered lead-in is what makes the difference between a smooth installation and the kind of chain tool wrestling match that ends in a bent pin. Once the pin is pressed fully through the outer plates, a pair of pliers snaps off the excess at the pre-set perforation, leaving the connection flush with the chain.

These are for 11-speed Shimano HG-EV chains only — do not use them on 10-speed, 12-speed, or non-Shimano chains, and do not reuse a pin that has already been pressed. If you've broken a chain at the same link twice, replace the chain rather than pinning it again in the same spot. For a reusable connection, Shimano's quick link is the alternative, though many mechanics prefer the pin for its lower-profile, factory-style joint.... Read More