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As Ed mentioned, having a link you can open and close more than once comes in very handy for cleaning and changing chains. It’s also smart to carry such a link in your repair kit for easy repairs should you break a chain on the road (some roadies call these links “chain patches” — always liked that name). Condensed Answer: A SRAM PowerLink can be used on a Shimano chain as long as both are designed for the same number of speeds. Some people use PowerLinks intentionally for the convenience that they offer. Requirements Just about every tool brand offers a master link plier and they all do much the same role and in the same way. They simply hook into the rollers of the chain and work to squeeze the master link open. A broken chain isn’t fun to fix on the side of the road, especially if the weather is bad, and may also cause an accident. For example, if you’re pedaling hard out of the saddle, and the chain suddenly brakes, you may end up falling on the handlebars and hitting yourself. Since chain failure is sudden, you won’t have much time to react.
If you find an item at a lower price with another commercial internet retailer, you will receive it from us at the same price, provided the conditions listed in the link are met. What I use is Wipperman Connex links. They’re a mechanical fit, not a press/snap fit. Not tools are needed to install or remove them, which is what I like about them most (be sure to orient them correctly following the instructions – it’s not that obvious how it’s done). Mine have always run smooth and quiet. That’s what I’d try if I were you even though they do cost more. Hope this helps and thanks for the great comments. Since the cassettes on modern bikes are equally wide from 8 to 12 speeds, the chain has to get thinner on denser cassettes or its outer links will rub against the adjacent cogs. Note: Wippermann has a unique re-usable “Connex” link that does not require any force to close. See our video above or Wippermann’s instructions for correct use. Jim, I STRONGLY urge you not to recommend your readers reuse those links. Some may weigh in saying they have reused them without issue but it truly isn’t a question of IF they fail but WHEN, once you go off schedule and choose to ignore the manufacturer’s recommendation.Bicycle chains’ width differs according to the number of speeds that the bike has. More speeds require a narrower chain because there are more cogs on the cassette/freewheel.
The granting of a best price is not combinable with other promotions (e.g. "free articles) from Bike-Discount.An alternative to these KMC and YBN links are the Wippermann Connex links. These unique links are easily reusable many times over without the need for tools at all, instead relying on a special extended shape that can only open with the corresponding outer chain plates articulated out of the way. For 11-speed I tested all the popular links on the market and found there to be total cross-compatibility, including with Campagnolo chains. However, what’s somewhat unusual is that the outside widths of connecting links do vary. The outer widths of the individual links vary, but interestingly, it doesn’t seem to have any impact on real-world compatibility.
The failures I have seen in testing are in two places. First, at the pin / outer plate junction. On one I had fail on my bike, I literally saw the pin fall out of the outer plate on the side where it was (previously) permanently fixed at the factory. I’d like to thank Nate at SRAM and my anonymous expert for clearing up this uncertainty. A Link You Can Reuse Thanks for your reply: helpful, as were other comments. I must say I haven’t felt entirely confident in my understanding of the situation – because it didn’t make sense to me, and still doesn’t, really. Removing and replacing removes enough metal to make a difference? Is that observable somehow? Is there some number of reuses at which the link becomes prone to falling apart? Does lubrication make any difference? My 11 speed chains last about 6,000 kms before they are -05% worn. I recently moved to waxing, which needs redoing every 200 kms, which will be 30 times per chain, so the economics of not reusing links are not good. Assuming SRAM chains, does it make any difference which ‘reusable’ link I use? Comparative prices from Bike24 are Wipperman Connex E14.51, KMC E4.61 compared with SRAM E2.76. Does anything about the performance of a Wipperman link justify the extra cost? What is connecting link performance? Noise?Great question, Ed! I wasn’t 100% sure myself, because I have reused about every connecting link going. So I decided to go straight to SRAM for an answer. I reached out to Road Marketing Technical Rep, Nate Newton through SRAM’s online link If you plan on taking the chain on and off the bike semi-regularly, then I’d recommend either the YBN or KMC reusable links. The Wippermann Connex is another strong option; they’re easy to use and seemingly work just fine, but I don’t love that they’re a hair wider, longer in length and an odd shape.
It’s still too early to tell about absolute cross-compatibility for newer 12-speed links, however, Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling suggests he has customers using SRAM Eagle 12-speed links (a mountain bike product) with Campagnolo 12-speed chains without issue. According to Kerin, “SRAM Eagle chains are 5.26mm wide, Campagnolo 12-speed are 5.15mm, seems the 0.11mm difference is fine.” Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. Those with older eight or nine-speed chains should find success with using KMC, SRAM or Wippermann links on just about any chain of the same speed.
Quick link compatibility
If step six is unsuccessful, then rest the bike on the ground. Ensure chain link is centered above the chainstay, firmly apply rear brake and stand on drive side pedal. Push down until the link seats. KMC and Wippermann (Connex Link) produce universal chainlinks compatible with all 12, 11, 10, 9, and 8-speed chains regardless of brand.
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