Park Tool Mini Chain Tool CT-5

The Park Tool CT-5 compact chain tool is one of the older residents in my mountain bike tool set. Since meeting, we've been to Canada, Alaska and traveled all over the western USA together. I picked up this basic tool when I was buying a brand new bike. That bike was sporting a gold Judy XC fork up front for an idea of how long ago it was. As I was finalizing the major acquisition at my LBS, we assembled a set of premium minimalist tools that were lightweight enough to bring on rides. Most of that original set is shown in the photo above (although the levers are much newer). Add a patch kit and chain pin and you have quick solutions to many trailside repairs.

The chain tool was a centerpiece back in the day when pins were common and power links were not. I carried this chain tool in packs and seatbags on hundreds of epic rides and used it to save myself and dozens of other unchained souls out on the trail. Eventually, I bought a new multitool with an integrated chain tool. At that point in time, power links were becoming much more popular and chain pin repairs at trailside became far less frequent. The CT-5 was retired to the tool box and perhaps forgotten to an eternity of darkness in the lower compartments with crank extractors and lock ring wrenches. Or so I thought.

I quickly realized that this tool was better performing than the heavier chain tool I already had higher up in my tool box. An unofficial ceremony was held as space was made available in the top drawer (may the other chain tool rest in peace). A second life became reality for the CT-5! The open design without excessive boxed corners, makes it far easier to see what you are doing when aligning pins or loosening a tight link. The most common use for this tool today is to quickly shorten a new chain during install. And although we may not get out on the trail together like the old days, it is still working strong after decades of service. You only get that kind of loyalty from a quality tool. Five stars!