The Campagnolo chain shown here differs from the Shimano and SRAM offerings in that it is for an 11-speed system.

The Italian manufacturer was the first to move to 11 speeds and the chain shown here is from its Record groupset. It comes with a distinct warning to only shorten from the end indicated. “Make sure you leave yourself with a male end to attach to the female end that Campag have provided,” says Jon.

Campagnolo’s system uses a joining pin, pushed through the links with a chain tool in similar fashion to Shimano’s, but with a subtle difference. Rather than snapping off the guide pin once fitted, it must be extracted.

The guide pin in a Campagnolo chain is inserted in a hollow part of the rivet, and must be twisted out with pliers. “Pulling out a spigot, rather than snapping off a pin, which could leave a burr on the back of the chain, is a nicer, more refined way of achieving the same object,” says Jon of Campagnolo’s system, “but it does require dexterity and a gentle touch: you’ve got to pull very squarely.”

The pin must be inserted from the outside of the chain (the side facing you). Like the Shimano pin, it is “stepped”: the mechanic will feel a tight spot as it passes through the outer links, a slack spot as it passes through the rollers, and a tight spot as the end of the pin reaches the inside links.

The bullet-shaped guide piece will protrude from the back of the chain. “This is where you need to be super cautious and grip it gently with a decent set of pliers, and rotate it ever so gently,” says Jon. “Under no circumstances bend it over to one side or it will snap.”

Campagnolo, like Shimano, make their own chain tool, which Jon recommends using when breaking and joining the Italian manufacturer’s chains. “It’s very accurate, and, typically Italian, it’s a beautiful thing!” he says. While it’s possible to use a Shimano tool, the Campagnolo equivalent has an in-built retention system that holds the chain in place and prevents it from bowing while the pin is pushed through.