How re-usable are re-usable quick links?

[EasyPeez]

I have 10 speed chains on both my bikes, both fitted with KMC quick links. I have a tool to separate the links quickly and was planning to use it every couple of weeks when degreasing my chains, to make for a less messy job, but was advised as part of another thread on here not to; it was suggested the links were meant for one-off use.

However, I just now saw this (click on Q&A section)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/kmc-11-speed-chain-links/

The guy from Wiggle and some others claim you can pop them open as often as you like, though there are a contingent that disagree and say they'll get slack.

Now I know I am linking to the 11 speed quick link - there's nobody asking the question asked of the 10-speed on there, but I assume if it's fine to do it with one it's fine with the other.
Does anyone have experience of re-using these links (or trying and failing!)

Cheers,
Andy

 

[ianrauk]

Have reused KMC quick links many. many times to clean the chain, with no problems.

 

[Milkfloat]

The manufacturers claim that 9 speed can be split as often as you like, but 10 and 11 are supposed to be single use. However, many people reuse them over and over again. Personally, I would only split them 4 or 5 times, but I tend not to split a chain at all after it has been fitted.

 

[potsy]

Taken mine apart many times (9 & 10 speed) with no problems.

 

[HarryTheDog]

I take the chain off about once a month (10 speed) after over 700 commute miles for a complete de-gunk. This happens about 6 times until the chain is stretched ( for me seems to be around 4,000 miles). Then new chain with new quick link, never had a problem with KMC quick link.

 

[Drago]

They won't get stack. Steel is a ductile material, and it would be immediately apparent if you'd exceeded the ductile limit.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

I use my 10 and 11 speed quick links until I can open them by hand without using the pliers, then I replace them. They'd probably be safe to use for far longer, but It's just something I've got into the habit of doing

 

[Yellow Saddle]

There are two types of links. Re-usable and use-once. An example of the use-once link is the SRAM 10-speed Powerlink. It is black. SRAM's silver and gold links can all be used more than once. However, opening a reusable link with one of them link pliers destroys the safety catch and makes it unusable. That last statement changes my first statement. There are three types of links, re-usable, use-once and unusable.

We have discussed this here in depth, quite often. Search for posts with me as the author and "Squeeze together" or "recess" or "figure 8/eight" as the keywords and the post should be there, photos, explanations and all.

@Drago Heat treated carbon steel is not ductile.

 

[martint235]

Now I on the other hand hate them. I carry one just in case of a chain snap out on the road but at home I use pins every time. I just don't get one with them. The last time I tried to fit one I was ready to throw the bike and the workstand over the fence into next door's garden.

 

[rb58]

The last time I tried to fit one I was ready to throw the bike and the workstand over the fence into next door's garden.

That'll be your enormous fingers.

 

[martint235]

That'll be your enormous fingers.

But but I can manage pins. Sometimes I can fit a pin after only breaking two.

 

[rb58]

I've re-used 9 and 10 speed quick links loads of times. And I use the little pliers to remove them. Never had a problem. Nor have I had any doubt about what I was doing.

 

[Drago]

@Drago Heat treated carbon steel is not ductile.

The joining links are usually a grade of spring steel or a similar substitute, different material to the chain itself. After all, a spring clip with no spring properties would be about as useful as a ham sandwich at ISIS party.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

The joining links are usually a grade of spring steel or a similar substitute, different material to the chain itself. After all, a spring clip with no spring properties would be about as useful as a ham sandwich at ISIS party.

Spring steel is hardened carbon steel. It is not ductile.

 

[subaqua]

Spring steel is hardened carbon steel. It is not ductile.

that would depend if it had also been tempered. which is what you would want for spring steel . as much as it pains me to agree with the eskimo