FD Sanctioned Combat ExitFrontier Approved Logoff Escape <| sep |> So in your opinion , when is the best time to learn how to fix a chain and how to use a chain tool ? Out on the trail after you trash a chain , and have no tool with you ? Get a multitool with a chain tool . Get an old length of chain . Use them together . 5 minutes and you will no longer have that excuse . Nobody thinks they ' ll ever need a chain tool , until they do . Edit I ' m going to go out on a limb and guess that you do not have quick links either . Get a couple quick links for your chain while you are at it . And on the off chance that you don ' t have a patch kit either , get one of those . And a spare tube if you don ' t have one . And a trail pump . That ' s all pretty much considered mandatory kit as not having any of those pieces can , and eventually will , leave you stranded .