Every new chain arrives longer than it needs to be, and unless you're running a quick-link exclusively, you need something to size it. Shimano's TL-CN29 handles that job across 9 through 12-speed chains, which covers essentially every modern drivetrain in the Shimano catalog plus SRAM, KMC, and Wippermann. Shimano markets this as a consumer-grade tool aimed at the home mechanic, but the internals are borrowed from their shop-level tooling and it lands at a price that makes sense for anyone building or maintaining more than one bike.

The mechanism is what separates this from the $15 chain breakers that ship in multi-tools. A ball bearing sits between the driving pin and the threaded axle, so instead of grinding metal against metal every time you push a rivet, you're rolling on a bearing surface. Turning the handle takes noticeably less effort, and the axle threads get a molybdenum treatment that keeps friction low over the long haul. The driving pin itself is tapered, which captures the pin ring as it releases from the chain plate rather than letting it drop into your work tray.

Flat top chain compatibility matters here. SRAM's AXS 12-speed chains use a flared inner plate that older chain tools bind against or damage during pin removal. The TL-CN29 accommodates that geometry, so if your workbench sees a mix of Shimano Hyperglide+ and SRAM AXS chains, one tool covers both. The molded composite body keeps overall tool weight down while the metal internals do the actual work.