I just bought a shimano xtr cn-7701 chain and was surprised that it didn't come with the master pin. Is this normal or did I get ripped off? I went to the Shimano website but it is horrible and doesn't recognize it's own products or part numbers. Thanks.
100% comes with pin. I used that chain on everything and always got a pin. Go back and get a quick link, MUCH better anyway... Sorry dude.
The chain should have come with the pin in a little cellophane package. If you can't get one from the seller of the chain, they cost about a buck at any bike store.
Sometimes its stuck a little ways in the last link. I bought some one time from a place that must buy them in bulk or something, and that's where they put the master pin. Not a used pin, but the master. . But if not, I second the QuickLink idea. .
Thanks. Sounds like it should have come with a pin. I bought the chain from Amazon (I know, serves me right). I went to the Shimano website and they don't take customer emails. I called the customer support number and was put on hold for 10 minutes and I gave up. I know this isn't a big deal but it is frustrating.
Im starting to think the retailers are taking small things out of the packaging. Ive installed so many brakes on bikes an d went to cut the lines to find out the dongle doo hickey wasnt included. such a pain in the butt
I went to REI because the website said they had 9 speed Shimano pins in stock. I got there and they were out of stock. I went to Performance and they were out of stock also. While I was there I looked at their Shimano chains and saw that they did come with a single pin in a really tiny plastic bag that was in the box but was separate from the bag that the chain was in. I came home and a few hours later it occurred to me that is was possible that the little bag could have fallen out when I opened up the box with my new chain in it. I lifted up the couch cushion and my little Easter miracle was sitting there in its tiny plastic bag. I'm sure you'll all sleep better knowing that this situation has a happy ending. (I owe Amazon an apology but Shimano customer service still sucks.)
If I went for a pin and it was out of stock I would have spent 2 bucks and just got the quick link. Pins work 50% of the time (I always screw up the first 1) quick links work 100% of the time and work over and over again. Next time buy a SRAM chain and it will come with a quick link
Actually I carry 9 speed quick links and 10 speed quick links with me and have saved 2 people so far on the trails. I figured with a brand new shimano chain I would do what shimano recommends and use a pin.
dumb question, but if you snap your chain on the trail and its a shimano chain, can you use the sram or kmc quick/power link, or do you only have to use the pins. I only carry the power links :-k
KMC missing link fits better on Shimano chains. The Sram power lock is slightly tighter, but it fits. I prefer the Sram links because they're lighter.
