Martin wrote:
The other day the mechanic at my local bike shop rejoined my Shimano 10
speed Ultegra chain reusing two rivets. Looking at the link under a
jeweler's magnifying glass I can clearly see that the peening on the
rivets is missing and I can see the countersinking in the plates around
the rivets.

The mechanic is very experienced, very well respected and services many
bikes in a busy shop. It looks like the rivets have been inserted to the
correct depth. Nevertheless the contact area between rivets and plate is
substantially less than it should be and the peeening that would prevent
the rivet moving is absent.

I am interested in readers' opinions and experience regarding the safety
and durability of this repair job. Do many people reuse rivets? Any
experiences of reused rivets working well? or failing?

Many thanks

Martin

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Removed z before replying by email.

Back in early 2000 I bought a mountain bike with Shimano 9 speed parts.
I separated the chain and put it back together using the original
Shimano rivets. No separate special Shimano rivet for me. On a night
ride, on roads, the chain came apart and ripped itself up pretty good.
And ripped the front derailleur cage apart. So $50 later I was back in
business. I've used either the official Shimano rivets or a SRAM
Powerlink on 9 speed chains ever since. I was reusing the Campagnolo 9
speed rivets for a couple years but converted to SRAM Powerlinks on
that bike too.

For 7 speed chains, I reuse rivets. But they are wide chains and
easier to get right.