Actual Tech: Quick Links

[Jay Beattie]

For some unknown reason, I bought a Shimano chain. What a pain in the
ass with the single-use pin. I assume there is an after-market "quick
link" for these things? I suppose I could Google it, but if there is
a preferred product, I would appreciate knowing that.

-- Jay Beattie.

[Sepp Ruf]

Get a Revolver, or name the exact type of chain you bought.

[Dan O]

On May 11, 8:15 am, Jay Beattie <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
> For some unknown reason, I bought a Shimano chain.

It was on sale?

> What a pain in the
> ass with the single-use pin.

Uh-huh.

> I assume there is an after-market "quick
> link" for these things? I suppose I could Google it, but if there is
> a preferred product, I would appreciate knowing that.
>

Sorry I'm no help - all SRAM here. Quite satisfactory.

[AMuzi]

The various major brands all work well. Measure across the
chain or look on the package; get that width link, 6.6mm,
6.2mm, whatever.

Generally, 4, 5, 6 derailleur chain may be easily joined
with a rivet tool. 8, 9, 10, 11 should use a snap link for
reasons you just intimately discovered. Sevens can go either
way, as you prefer.

--
Andrew Muzi
<www.yellowjersey.org/>
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

[Andre Jute]

First you need to measure very carefully to discover the width across links because even with a single "speed" there may be differences. Once you have the width of the chain, I recommend the KMC quick links. The Connex ones also work well enough. My experience with the SRAM quick links is that they don't last as long as a quality chain, which can be a nuisance (I use KMC X8 chains). I have reused a KMC quick link without any problem.

Unless you have experience opening quick links, I suggest you practice before you have to do it on the road. My hands are soft -- I don't leave the house without gloves -- so I use a purpose made tool to break and refit quick links.

Christ, 11-speed quick-links are pricey: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=57321

Here are some more, including the wrong one for my version of the KMC X8,
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25439

Here are some more on the pages where I found the right one for my chain
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=chain+link

Here are the official KMC quick link tool, a pair for opening and closing:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-chain-link-pliers/
But I use this one instead, a single tool rather than a pair:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=47439

Andre Jute

[Andre Jute]

Nice, if you can afford it, but I thought I saw where Rohloff stopped making the Revolver.

Andre Jute

[datakoll]

aaaaaaaaaaa


what other chain is there ?

you commute with a pin ? no snap on snap out link ? how in the fghrt567 are you cleaning the chain(s) ?

and in the raining grit pits of Portland no lesso. good gur5tuk74!! incroyable.

yeah. basic to owning a snap,linkmis having snap link pliers. poss grinding from a medium size Wal vise grip but with your $ buy one.

3-5 grams of rain grit loses one gear here. Your stronger 2x so 7 grams one gear if arithmetic.

[Gregory Sutter]

High-end Shimano chains are really strong, good chains. I'm sure
glad that others have made compatible quick-links, though.

What speed Shimano chain did you buy? For 9sp, use the SRAM
quick-link. For 10sp, use the KMC quick-link. The Connex link works
for 10sp as well, but seems to wear quickly.

--
Gregory S. Sutter Mostly Harmless
mailto:gsu...@zer0.org
http://zer0.org/~gsutter/

[James]

I prefer the one from Connex for my Campag 10s chain, if that's any help.

I just tried removing a Clarks (??) quick link and had to use pliers. I
don't have that problem with Connex.

--
JS

[Joe Riel]

Thanks for providing the links. Occasionally I've found the
quicklinks to be a bit of a pain to open, so a tool would
be useful. Didn't know they existed.

--
Joe Riel

[Lou Holtman]

Op 12-5-2013 6:55, Joe Riel schreef:

With a Connex link you never ever need a tool to open them. Use them for
10 years now on my 10 speed road bikes. Never had any problems with them.

Lou

[Sepp Ruf]

stopped making chains, yes.

<http://www.rohloff.de/en/products/revolver_3/index.html>
in stock at semi-randomly selected supplier; and yes, EUR 123 shipped
buys a number of decent chains including quick links:
<http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,185,191;product=20245>

[datakoll]

On Saturday, May 11, 2013 11:15:10 AM UTC-4, Jay Beattie wrote:

rrrrrrrrrrrrr


http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=59


they take Visa


are you in for the long haul ?

find jumbo plastic coated paperclips or a roll of reinforcing rod WIRE.

lead chain thru deray with wire. tie tp spoke,

lead chain thru front deray with wire, tie to spoke

finnnnnnagle links to chain

one may also place paper on ground beneath potential chain location. optional.

when removing for chain cleaning, spray/drip links with thinner/electric contact cleaner/silicone freeing link sides.

thread links with wire
tie together
throw onto lawn

IHS

[Andre Jute]

A tool to keep in a display cabinet and admire. Thanks for that, Sepp. But the necessity passed me by when I discovered quick links, and now that all my chains run inside chain cases or chaingliders or whatever, and I ride only on puncture-proof tyres, and I bought a bunch of KMC chains wholesale, I need to split the chain so infrequently, I have to read the instructions for my quick links when I fit a new chain...

I should probably explain that from new to worn out, I don't clean my chains at all, because they don't need it. In fact, I'm currently running an experiment with factory lube only, no added lube, inside a Hebie Chainglider, and its getting on for 2000km, and the factory lube is doing fine. The setup is Surly Stainless 38T chainring, KMC X8-99 chain with KMC quick link, Rohloff 16T sprocket, Hebie Chainglider all-round cover (extra-long version to suit my long wheelbase Utopia Kranich, special Rohloff rear section).

Of course, you can't do away with the traditional chainbreaker tool. You still need to shorten new chains when you fit them.

Andre Jute

[Andre Jute]

It's ironic that for a "finger fit" component, specifically designed to do away with a tool, you now require to carry a bigger tool, or even two bigger tools, depending on which splitter/refitter you buy...

Andre Jute

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Andre Jute:

>It's ironic that for a "finger fit" component, specifically designed to do away with a tool, you now require to carry a bigger tool, or even two bigger tools, depending on which splitter/refitter you buy...

I struggled with quick links for quite awhile until it finally dawned on
me that they just had to be twisted in such a way as to relieve the
stress on the pins before trying to slide them to the "open" position.

Pure stubbornness on my part since I use PC-1 (the widest) chains and a
chain tool works just fine.

Which way?.... can't say because it's become something like tying my
shoelace. My lower brain stem has it wired, but my frontal cortex
can't recount the details.
--
Pete Cresswell

[Andre Jute]

That's good, Pete, if you have strong fingers and you have the hang of getting the bloody things undone. But the one time that I, stubbornly, wouldn't give up, my fingers were bleeding by the time I got the ''quick"link undone, slippery on blood... A writer is a sort of manual laborer (he operates a keyboard), so I really cannot afford to have my fingers cut up. A tool to open the quicklinks is a cheap investment in whole fingers...

Ironically, my fingers are lethal -- you don't want to try proving your manhood by grasping my hand too firmly, because I will crush your fingers, smiling and talking metaphysics all the time ("Oh, my dear fellow, how'd you bruise your fingers like that?") -- but I just never get enough usage with these diabolical quicklings to get enough practice. Looks like I'm getting value for buying puncture-proof tires!

There's another problem, to do with being old and having a dickie heart, which is that I can't bend over too long before my eyes start clouding over from dizziness. I have to do the job right the first time, and quickly. For that reason, a dedicated tool, even if I use it once every second year, is a cheap investment.

Andre Jute

[Jay Beattie]

On May 11, 7:44 pm, Gregory Sutter <gsut...@zer0.org> wrote:

> On 2013-05-11, Jay Beattie <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>
> > For some unknown reason, I bought a Shimano chain.  What a pain in the
> > ass with the single-use pin.  I assume there is an after-market "quick
> > link" for these things?  I suppose I could Google it, but if there is
> > a preferred product, I would appreciate knowing that.
>
> High-end Shimano chains are really strong, good chains.  I'm sure
> glad that others have made compatible quick-links, though.
>
> What speed Shimano chain did you buy?  For 9sp, use the SRAM
> quick-link.  For 10sp, use the KMC quick-link.  The Connex link works
> for 10sp as well, but seems to wear quickly.

10sp -- Shimano sale conversion, and my son gets the rattling (even
with caulk) first generation 9sp because it shifts triple. Like Gene
mentioned, I'm close to Universal Cycles, and they sell everything.
I'll go pick up a KMC or Connex.

-- Jay Beattie.

[James]

On 12/05/13 09:34, datakoll wrote:
> On Saturday, May 11, 2013 11:15:10 AM UTC-4, Jay Beattie wrote:
>> For some unknown reason, I bought a Shimano chain. What a pain in the
>>
>> ass with the single-use pin. I assume there is an after-market "quick
>>
>> link" for these things? I suppose I could Google it, but if there is
>>
>> a preferred product, I would appreciate knowing that.
>>
>>
>>
>> -- Jay Beattie.
>
> aaaaaaaaaaa
>
>
> what other chain is there ?

http://www.cantitoeroad.com/chains


--
JS

[raamman]

sorry, its a few bucks for a good quaility reliable shimano chain that
lasts about 6k of use before getting to the replacement stage- when it
gets to that I break it and install a new one- done. my time is far
more important than wasting it on saving a few bucks for an inferior
chain. cycling is about a state of mind and you will never be free if
you live connected to your wallet

[Jay Beattie]

The chain was on sale. I got it because of my wallet. The issue is
why bother with a single use pin when you can bundle the chain with a
quick link -- like the $3 KMC link I just bought over at Universal. I
ride 6-8 months a year in rain. I do very little maintenance but,
alas, I do clean my chain now and then, and I do it off the bike and
not with one of those Rube Goldberg on-bike chain cleaners. I can pop
a snap-link with my slick Park pliers in about thirty seconds. I
suspect it would take me a lot longer than that just to find the
removable pin in the Shimano chain -- particularly after it becomes
filthy. No offense, though -- Shimano might make a great chain.
OTOH, I've never had a problem with the KMC and Sedis/SRAM chains I've
been using for decades.

-- Jay Beattie.

[James]

On 14/05/13 15:22, Jay Beattie wrote:
> On May 13, 6:46 pm, raamman<raam...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On May 11, 11:15 am, Jay Beattie<jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>>
>>> For some unknown reason, I bought a Shimano chain. What a pain in the
>>> ass with the single-use pin. I assume there is an after-market "quick
>>> link" for these things? I suppose I could Google it, but if there is
>>> a preferred product, I would appreciate knowing that.
>>

>> sorry, its a few bucks for a good quaility reliable shimano chain that
>> lasts about 6k of use before getting to the replacement stage- when it
>> gets to that I break it and install a new one- done. my time is far
>> more important than wasting it on saving a few bucks for an inferior
>> chain. cycling is about a state of mind and you will never be free if
>> you live connected to your wallet
>
> The chain was on sale. I got it because of my wallet. The issue is
> why bother with a single use pin when you can bundle the chain with a
> quick link -- like the $3 KMC link I just bought over at Universal. I
> ride 6-8 months a year in rain. I do very little maintenance but,
> alas, I do clean my chain now and then, and I do it off the bike and
> not with one of those Rube Goldberg on-bike chain cleaners. I can pop
> a snap-link with my slick Park pliers in about thirty seconds. I
> suspect it would take me a lot longer than that just to find the
> removable pin in the Shimano chain -- particularly after it becomes
> filthy. No offense, though -- Shimano might make a great chain.
> OTOH, I've never had a problem with the KMC and Sedis/SRAM chains I've
> been using for decades.
>

According to Wippermann's completely unbiased testing, SRAM chains are
about the least wear resistant chain you can buy.

http://www.cantitoeroad.com/uploads/landingpage/connex/Chainwear_Test_10_Speed_10-JUN-2010.pdf

I use a Campag Veloce chain, preferring not to soil my steed with a
Shimano component.

Ok, I wear Shimano shoes, but I don't count that as part of my bike. ;-)

I've been running 2 chains on the one cassette (not at the same time),
and swap chains every 2 months or so. The dirty one goes into a plastic
container with solvent, gets shaken all about, then dried and lubed
ready for next time. I store it in a plastic bag for when I next give
the bike a clean. So far the 3 components have lasted about 10,000km.
I think they're nearly ready to be retired. Must measure the chain
stretch soon. Don't want to wear out the chain rings.

--
JS

[raamman]

On May 14, 1:22 am, Jay Beattie <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
> On May 13, 6:46 pm, raamman <raam...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On May 11, 11:15 am, Jay Beattie <jbeat...@lindsayhart.com> wrote:
>
> > > For some unknown reason, I bought a Shimano chain.  What a pain in the
> > > ass with the single-use pin.  I assume there is an after-market "quick
> > > link" for these things?  I suppose I could Google it, but if there is
> > > a preferred product, I would appreciate knowing that.
>
> > > -- Jay Beattie.
>
> > sorry, its a few bucks for a good quaility reliable shimano chain that
> > lasts about 6k of use before getting to the replacement stage- when it
> > gets to that I break it and install a new one- done. my time is far
> > more important than wasting it on saving a few bucks for an inferior
> > chain. cycling is about a state of mind and you will never be free if

> > you live connected to your wallet......................

>
> The chain was on sale.  I got it because of my wallet.  The issue is
> why bother with a single use pin when you can bundle the chain with a
> quick link -- like the $3 KMC link I just bought over at Universal.  I

> filthy.  No offense, though -- Shimano might make a great chain.
> OTOH, I've never had a problem with the KMC and Sedis/SRAM chains I've
> been using for decades.
>
> -- Jay Beattie.

whatever works for you

I just don't like hearing folks crying about a few coins difference
per 1000k they get out of a chain

[davethedave]

On Tue, 14 May 2013 14:09:01 -0700, raamman wrote:

> I just don't like hearing folks crying about a few coins difference per
> 1000k they get out of a chain

Buy chain.

Use till dead.

Buy new chain.

Easy! :)

Compare with petrol prices. Here today we are at $2.62 / £1.72 / 4.75
Turkish Lira per litre. At 60 litres per average US tank that's $157 at
an estimated 300 miles per tank.


Buy a new chain, write off as saving drive train and money not spent on
petrol, it's all good in the end.
--
davethedave