Power links - how many can I use at once?

[lejogger]

Alright chaps.

Noticed my KMC chain jumping on the way home from work tonight. Inspection revealed a snapped link just on the one side, so a lucky boy to make it all the way home.

As a temporary measure I've removed the dead link and inserted a second power link and I was just wondering if I'll get away with it or not or whether I'm asking for trouble. There's only two proper links between the two power ones so it does potentially weaken the chain.

Any thoughts or advice?

 

[fossyant]

They should be OK as a temporary measure. As you've had a broken link I would replace the chain ASAP. Just not worth your safety if you are giving it beans and the chain goes........ boom. Buy a new one. Essential safety equipment like brakes.

Any sign of chain damage, then they need binning.

 

[evo456]

Or shorten the chain by one link and see if it adversely affects shifting, depending on the length the original chain length. Derailleur tension can be adjust to a degree to compensate.

 

[PatrickPending]

I've ran a chain with two 'power links' in it till the end of the life of the chain no problem. I tend to keep my old powerlinks as spares - luckily I had a spare one at that time - it was 5.30am freezing cold and I was doing my cycle commute to Coventry. Fixed chain, cycled on.....

 

[Peteaud]

Technically, as many as you want, but i would run 2 max.

 

[ColinJ]

I think SRAM say you should only use one per chain but I never understood why. Maybe they just want to sell you another chain?

I have never seen a broken powerlink, whereas I have seen lots of chains with broken conventional links!

 

[themosquitoking]

Power links all the way round?

 

[ColinJ]

Power links all the way round?

Only half of a chain - you would still need the inner links.

 

[Flying Dodo]

In over 10 years of splicing and joining 8, 9 & 10 speed chains, the only time I've had a chain snap was on one of the rare occasions when I've used a power link, and that snapped about 2 months after it was fitted. Meaningless anecdotal info, but there you go.

 

[themosquitoking]

Only half of a chain - you would still need the inner links.

Well yeah, obviously.

 

[ColinJ]

Well yeah, obviously.

I once watched someone with a broken chain try to join it with a powerlink between 2 outer links!

(It was only when it seemed to be taking an awfully long time that we finally noticed what was going on.)

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

For what it's worth, I ran a chain fitted with three quick links (don't ask) for several hundred miles with no issues so I don't think you'll have a problem.

I do think that it should be a temporary measure in this case though. If you've already had a break it sounds like that chain is probably past its best.

 

[Profpointy]

well ... the cliche is that a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link. Ergo, if a power link is strong enough, then whole chain can be made of 'em

that said, if links are starting to go, especially if it you need two powerlinks, then rest of chain is perhaps well past it's best t

 

[lejogger]

Thanks guys. Great advice as per normal.

It's a strange one as it's only done just over 1000 miles and it's a decent quality KMC. it's not showing other signs of wear or rust anywhere else. Obviously it's on the winter commuter so gets a fair share of crap thrown at it, but I've had chains last three times as long.

I'll definitely buy a replacement but possibly keep it in the rack bag for a while.

 

[andrew_s]

Running a chain made entirely from powerlinks and inner links has been done.
Presumably someone who worked somewhere they didn't have to be paid for.