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Servicing my bike today. My chain does NOT have a master link but I was hoping to take it off and degrease it with popping out a pin. I've taken the rear derailleur side plate off so the chain is free on that end. I thought I could open this connection on the front (Sora) derailleur:

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However, looking at the back it just appears to be a rivet:

enter image description here

Am I missing something? Is there no way to free the chain from this FD without breaking the chain either with a master link or chain tool?

Thanks.

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  • Aside - the chain still won't come off the bike because it is threaded through the rear triangle of the frame.
    – Criggie ♦
    Sep 17, 2022 at 21:49
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    @Criggie Face-Palm. Of course it wouldn't. I guess if the FD was a model I could open I would have figured that part out pretty quick.
    – SSilk
    Sep 17, 2022 at 21:54
  • Interestingly, there are some frames out there that use a raised chainstay, or combine the chain and seat stay into a single "rear swingarm" or "rear fork" such that the chain can come completely out with the wheel But they're more MTB, and also tend to the IGH or singlespeed setup.
    – Criggie ♦
    Sep 17, 2022 at 22:24

1 Answer 1

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No, you’re not missing anything. That model of derailleur doesn’t split.

Split the chain with a chain tool this time and take the opportunity to install a master link.

Buy some master link pliers also when you do. Master links are hard to break by hand.

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  • 1
    Awesome, thanks for the quick reply. I already have master link pliers and a master link on my other bike's chain. I just don't have a master link for this bike so I thought if I could get it free of the FD without having to split it, that would be better. Oh well! Chain tool it is.
    – SSilk
    Sep 17, 2022 at 17:21
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    Follow: after splitting the chain and degreasing it, it turns out it DOES have a master link! The chain was just so filthy before that I couldn't spot it. Ha! Oh well. Now I know for the next tear down.
    – SSilk
    Sep 17, 2022 at 19:03
  • @ssilk my favourite master link (singular) was white. It always clearly stood out and was quick to spot. I've never found another one like it.
    – Criggie ♦
    Sep 17, 2022 at 21:48

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