Am I being overzealous?

[cherinyc]

As for taking off the chain, every time you "break" the chain, that is a new weak point in it. the link doesn't move as well as before, and can cause problems over time with shifting.

But does it still weaken the chain if I add the power link, and break the chain that way every time?

i think women take on the "damsel in distress" thing too much when it comes to their bikes (sorry! i'm not trying to offend anyone!) so i think its really great when i read the posts about you ladies getting your hands dirty! Way to go!

Grrrrrrr.....hate the "damsel in distress" approach. I think it bothers my BF a bit sometimes (not always) that I try to do everything myself though. I admit when I can't reach, lift something...but if I admit that, it's b/c I probably already tried first. I will usually either go get a ladder/step stool or try to lever something up though, if no one is around. I call it self-sufficient, BF calls it stubborn. Tom-ay-toe....Tom-ah-toe...