Birzman Damselfly Universal Chain Tool

Birzman's Damselfly Universal chain tool is your one-stop* chain splitting shop. It'll handle anything from a singlespeed chain to a modern 12-speed, and the clever spring-retaining plate automatically adjusts to fit and hold the chain firmly.

• Pros: Nice to use, looks good, sprung plate works well
• Cons: Expensive, no stiff link adjuster

The Damselfly is very nicely designed and solidly CNC'd from aluminium. It feels weighty in the hand, and the big handles mean it's easy to grip, and to apply a bit of force to your chain. The locating plate for the chain is sprung, so it both adjusts to fit whatever chain you're tinkering with and also clamps down on it to hold it in place. It's a neat system that works well. You're good for anything from a singlespeed chain to a new 12-speed here. The only chain it won't do is a Campagnolo 11-speed one where the pin needs peening. That's a job for the more expensive Dragonfly tool.

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Anyway, with the chain held securely and a big lever to act on, pushing a pin out of a chain is child's play. I've not had a problem with the chain mislocating and the chain tool's pushing pin getting bent, as can happen on cheaper tools. I've used it on singlespeed, 8-speed and 11-speed chains with no issues. I haven't gone to 12-speed yet but I'm confident you wouldn't have any problems there either.

Now I'm the first to admit that since the quick link became ubiquitous there's not much day-to-day need to loosen a stiff link. Normally the only reason you'd need to do that is because you'd rejoined a chain and you needed to slacken off the join a touch. However, if you're buying a workshop-quality chain tool I guess you're more likely to be working on a variety of bikes, some with chains that need splitting and rejoining. That being the case, it's a pity there's no way to loosen off a stiff link on this tool. It's only a couple of extra prongs, it wouldn't be that hard. Other than that it's all good.

> How to replace a chain

As for value – £34.99 isn't exactly small change for a tool that does one job. That said, there are other tools out there such as Park Tool's CT-3.2 that are workshop staples for the same money; even that doesn't have a stiff link adjuster these days. You can spend an awful lot more on something like the Pedro's Tutto, but the Damselfly is going toe to toe with probably the most popular workshop tool here. The performance is comparable, though, and it looks nicer.

*unless you have a Campag chain that needs peening

Verdict

High-quality breaker of chains with a stylish design