Chain quick links

[EasyPeez]

Hi,

Someone in our cycling club had a chain break on him last week and it made me realise I'd be knackered if the same happened to me when out and about on me tod. So...I've read (and think I understand!) this - http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/how-to/fix-a-chain
I have a multitool with chain-tool included, now I think I just need some quick links.

Would these be ok for my KMCX10-93 chain, or would I be better going for KMC links? I ask as they're nice and cheap and I'm ordered a few bits from Planet X anyway so could add them to the basket. Seems like they're the only ones Planet X stock.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CHSELQLK/selcof-quick-chain-link

After fixing a chain with a quick link, what's the consensus on riding the chain for the rest of its natural life vs. swapping it for a whole new chain at the earliest opportunity? i.e are quick links a proper fix or just a 'get-me home and through the next couple of days' job?

Any other tips/tricks/tools for fixing chains not covered in that cyclescheme article much appreciated

Cheers, Andy

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I don't know the Selcof links so can't comment on quality but they seem to be very similar to the KMC ones in design so it's reasonable to expect them to do the job.

The quick links are generally designed to be used for the life of the chain so are a proper repair and I've run multiple quick links in a chain in the past (don't ask ) without any issues, however if fitting due to the chain having snapped I would be quite suspicious about whether there are any further damaged or weak links so would certainly want a closer inspection and would probably replace as soon as possible.

 

[mjr]

I fit all my chains with reusable quick links. I can't tell whether the linked ones are reusable.

If I fit one due to a snapped chain, I'd regard it as a "get me home".

 

[youngoldbloke]

^ this
You need a link to suit your chain - if you have a 10 speed set up -and I assume it is as you have a 10.93 chain) you'll need a 10 speed link. The Planet X ones are probably OK, but they only have 8 and 9 speed ones. I use KMC ones myself, with KMC, Shimano and Campagnolo chains. As mjray says above, if my chain snapped I would use a link to get me home, and then fit a new chain.

 

[slowmotion]

I use re-useable KMC links. My current chain has two of them and they've been on for months. You can buy them cheaply on ebay.

 

[User33236]

I fit all my chains with reusable quick links. I can't tell whether the linked ones are reusable.

If I fit one due to a snapped chain, I'd regard it as a "get me home".

+1 If my chain snapped on a ride I'd be expecting it to go somewhere else in the not to distant future. Like mrjay I see fitting one out on the road as a get me home an replace the chain before my next ride. As the 'fleet' is now all 11 speed (except my old 8 speed hybrid) I always have a spare chain at home.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Good point made above: whether the Selcof ones are any good is completely academic if they don't keep the 10 speed that you need. (I didn't look to see if they were in stock before responding.)

Go for some KMC ones.

 

[xxDarkRiderxx]

[QUOTE 3847317, member: 259"]Pay a couple of pounds extra for KMC quicklinks and you know they will work. I always have one in my saddlebag.[/QUOTE]

Same.

 

[EasyPeez]

Thankyou, chaps. Wise and succinct as always

Yes, I'd not even checked the stock on those Selcof ones - I saw 10speed in the picture but they only have 8s and 9s in so it's academic. I'll get me a couple of KMCs and a spare chain.
Following a chain snapping and being repaired with re-usable quick link do you use a couple of screwdrivers or something to squeeze the quick link back out before chucking the knackered chain? I've not seen a quick link yet but am assuming the rivets are solid and you don't take them out with the chain tool?
Cheers.

 

[si_c]

When I fitted my chain, it was too long, had to take 4 links out, I carry them in my saddlebag just in case. Saves buying a quicklink.

 

[RichardB]

Glad to see this thread, as I was wondering the same thing myself. I see Halfords have KMC quick links for not much money at the moment. Are these a strictly get-you-home device (in which case you still need to carry a chain tool), or can they be fitted to a new chain and last the lifetime of the chain? That way, you would only need to carry something to spring the quick link open - pliers/multitool or even finger pressure. Fitting one would make chain cleaning a doddle too. I'm a little wary, as I remember the 'master links' with the long spring clip, which couldn't be used with derailleurs because they snagged the mechanism and weren't strong enough laterally. I assume the quick links are better than that, but good enough for long-term use?

 

[User33236]

Glad to see this thread, as I was wondering the same thing myself. I see Halfords have KMC quick links for not much money at the moment. Are these a strictly get-you-home device (in which case you still need to carry a chain tool), or can they be fitted to a new chain and last the lifetime of the chain? That way, you would only need to carry something to spring the quick link open - pliers/multitool or even finger pressure. Fitting one would make chain cleaning a doddle too. I'm a little wary, as I remember the 'master links' with the long spring clip, which couldn't be used with derailleurs because they snagged the mechanism and weren't strong enough laterally. I assume the quick links are better than that, but good enough for long-term use?

KMC chains come will one of their quick links and are designed to last the life of the chain. They come in two versions, reusable and non-reuseable, although people have reused the latter with no issues. Both have a limited number of reuse cycles before they get too loose though.

Opening them requires pushing the pins towards each other and special tools can be bought to acheive this although it can be done without it with a bit of practice.

If you break a chain out on the road you will usually still require a chain tool to remove the broken link before you can fit one of these. The 'fix' will be as permanent as you want it to be. Personally, if I snap a chain whilst out, I would replace it as soon as I could as I would be wary other other links going in that chain pretty soon after.

 

[youngoldbloke]

When I fitted my chain, it was too long, had to take 4 links out, I carry them in my saddlebag just in case. Saves buying a quicklink.

How does this work then? Other than rejoining the chain with one of your spare links with a chain tool having removed the faulty one? Doesn't sound very quick to me, demanding extensive usage of the chain splitter. Anyway, joining 10/11 speed chains with a chain tool is definitely not recommended due to the way they are constructed, possibly resuting in a weak point prone to failure. I know we used to do it with sturdier chains, but maybe the chain failures we are hearing about in this thread are the result of using the old method with modern chains? I'd rather spend a few pounds and have the security of a KMC link as a backup. And yes they are a permanent way of joining chains. I use them to join new chains - Shimano and Campag too, rather than their own complicated procedures.

 

[Pale Rider]

Anyway, joining 10/11 speed chains with a chain tool is definitely not recommended due to the way they are constructed, possibly resuting in a weak point prone to failure.

I did this on my recent night riding adventure with @StuAff on his Campag 11 speed bike.

The join looked fairly good to me, the rivet pushed home with a nice, even, force, and the joined link was neither stiff nor floppy.

Of course, it's impossible to accurately assess the strength of the join by looking at it.

Stu wasn't inclined to trust it any further than riding home and I agreed with him.