Fitting KMC chain with speedlinks

[Sillyoldman]

My chain is approaching the wear limit according to my chain stretch tool and I fancy using the KMC speedlinks on the rplacement chain.
I found a vid on Youtube that used a special tool to make sure that the link was closed/locked.
Looks like you should be able to do it without a tool by holding the back wheel and turning the crank. So to users of this type of chain fastening, do you 1) use a special tool to lock the link when fitting? and 2) do you need the other tool to release the link? From reading other posts, people tend to love these KMC speedlinks but I never heard of special tool requirement from any posts. (This would make roadside repair a bit difficult unless you carry even more tools on board and the tools do not look small).

Thanks all.


Edit just seen another video where it was just done by hand so looks like a non tool fit.

 

[ianrauk]

Never used/needed a tool to lock the links. But do have one to undo.

 

[Sillyoldman]

Thanks. Will fit the chain and then see if I need a removal tool. Sounds like I do.

 

[Svendo]

No tool needed for fitting, just use crank to 'click' it by tensioning the chain. I usually can open them by hand, if I remember to squeeze in both directions (Squeeze the side plates together then the ends). Sometimes use needle nose pliers if they've got a bit tight with dirt and crud due to slack maintenance.
Twice needed to undo them by the roadside, without tools and it's been difficult but do-able.

 

[Peteaud]

As above really.

To undo :-


Squeeze the two together and wiggle it back and forth as if you are trying to bend the chain (dont go mad tho). Works for me every time.



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2WW5CTIqc

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

My experience isn't huge (only had to remove them about 4 or 5 times so far) but the KMC links have always come undone easily by hand for me. I haven't even considered using pliers.

This is on bikes with 7 and 8 speed set ups.

 

[Steve Malkin]

When you buy your quicklinks make sure you get the re-usable type, they come in two versions and the cheaper ones are not designed to be re-usable.

The non-reusable ones fit together very tightly and you need to use thin nosed pliers or suchlike to get them apart again.
The reusable type on the other hand are very easy to get apart without tools once you have the "squeeze and slide" technique mastered, I've never needed a tool to get mine apart.

 

[slowmotion]

You shouldn't need a tool to put them on, just put some tension on the chain by standing on the crank with the back wheel locked. I always used to be able to undo them with my fingers but the last one I had was impossibly stiff so I invested in a pair of removal pliers. Judging by the force I had to use on the pliers, there was absolutely no way it was going to come off without the tool.

 

[02GF74]

. I usually can open them by hand, if I remember to squeeze in both directions (Squeeze the side plates together then the ends). Sometimes use needle nose pliers if they've got a bit tight with dirt and crud due to slack maintenance.
Twice needed to undo them by the roadside, without tools and it's been difficult but do-able.

yep - had to do it once when chain sucked its way round the wrong side of the bottom bracket - took about 10 mins of wiggling the link and cursing but managed it.

 

[Sillyoldman]

When you buy your quicklinks make sure you get the re-usable type, they come in two versions and the cheaper ones are not designed to be re-usable.

The non-reusable ones fit together very tightly and you need to use thin nosed pliers or suchlike to get them apart again.
The reusable type on the other hand are very easy to get apart without tools once you have the "squeeze and slide" technique mastered, I've never needed a tool to get mine apart.

Ah bummer, think I ordered cheap ones. Didn't know there were two types. Live and learn. Thanks for all the help folks. Will order some re-usable ones now.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Never needed a tool to fit or remove one

However don't fit a SRAM quick link to a KMC chain

 

[Steve Malkin]

However don't fit a SRAM quick link to a KMC chain

Interesting, why do you say that? - I've used both KMC and SRAM links on various different brands of chain in the past with no problems, you just need to make sure that the link is the correct one for the width of chain you are using.

To the OP, this page http://www.kmcchain.eu/?en/products/connectors/missing_links/ is a useful summary of the available types of KMC links available and which ones do or dont require the use of a tool to undo them.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

I fitted a 9sp SRAM to a 9sp KMC and it fitted on OK but wouldn't come off, not even with borrowed removal pliers. They just seem to the too narrow to be able to squeeze the plates together enough to slide them apart.

My dremel soon removed it.

 

[Steve Malkin]

I fitted a 9sp SRAM to a 9sp KMC and it fitted on OK but wouldn't come off, not even with borrowed removal pliers. They just seem to the too narrow to be able to squeeze the plates together enough to slide them apart.

My dremel soon removed it.

Thanks for the heads up - I'll make sure I avoid that particular combination!

 

[Sillyoldman]

Thanks for the link Steve. All on order, just waiting for the postman in a few days time.