First, look for a quick link
Many chains have a quick link (also called a master link or connecting link). It is a two-piece link with side plates that lock together, often with a slightly different shape or color than the other links. If your chain has one, you can usually remove the chain without a chain tool.
Some quick links open by hand, and some need quick-link pliers. Compatibility varies by brand and by chain type, and some quick links are single-use, so check what applies to yours. If your chain has no quick link, skip to the section on pins.
Opening a quick link by hand
- Find the quick link. Turn the cranks slowly until it sits somewhere easy to reach.
- Create slack. Shifting to a smaller chainring and cog before you start, or lifting the chain off the ring, can help. Positioning the link near the top of the chainring is a common tip.
- Push the two outer plates toward each other so the pins move into the wide part of the keyhole slots. Squeezing the chain on either side of the link, or using pliers, is the usual approach.
- Slide the plates apart and separate the halves.
If the link will not move, it may be dirty or under tension. Clean it and try again, or use quick-link pliers. Do not force it with violent hits, which can damage plates.
Using a punch or nail on a standard pin (last resort)
If your chain has no quick link, the only other way to separate it is to push a pin out. Without a chain tool, people sometimes support the chain over a gap, a nut or a hole in a piece of wood, and tap a punch or nail against the pin with a small hammer.
This is risky and best treated as an emergency method:
- The link can bend or crack, and the plate can be damaged.
- Pins that have been pushed out and re-inserted are weaker than a new pin or a quick link, which is part of why chains can fail later, as covered in why bike chains break.
- Some modern narrow chains are unforgiving of this and are better treated as one-time use afterwards.
If you do this, plan to rejoin with a proper quick link and treat the affected section with suspicion until you can replace or inspect it.
Alternatives that avoid the problem
- Borrow or buy a chain tool. They are inexpensive and many multi-tools include one.
- Take the bike to a shop.
- Carry a spare quick link and a multi-tool on rides.
If the goal is to shorten the chain, a chain tool is a better choice, since the pin you push out must be handled correctly; see how to shorten a bike chain.
Cleaning a chain without removing it
You do not need to remove a chain to clean it. Common approaches include a chain cleaning device or a rag held around the chain while you pedal backwards slowly, followed by a degreaser, wiping and fresh lubricant. Removing the chain is optional unless you want to soak it or it is badly contaminated.
Do you need a chain breaker?
If your chains use quick links, you may not need one often. If you plan to resize chains, replace pins or repair breaks on the road, owning one is worth it. After a break, one is often how you get home, as covered in why bike chains break.
Frequently asked questions
How do I unlink a bike chain?
Open the quick link if there is one. Otherwise a chain tool is the proper way to push a pin out.
What can I use instead of a chain tool?
A punch, nail or similar object and a hammer can work in an emergency, but there is a risk of damaging the chain.
Can I take the chain off a single-speed bike another way?
If the wheel can slide in horizontal dropouts, loosening the wheel and moving it forward creates enough slack to lift the chain off the sprocket without cutting it. See tightening a single speed bike chain for how the wheel moves.