Trouble fitting extra chain link for 7 Speed.

[Andy in Germany]

I tried to fit a chain link to a bike for a customer today and so far I failed miserably.

The bike is a 7 speed, and I wondered if that could be the reason. 7spd is very old these days so are links generally made for narrower chains? I checked the packaging, such as it was, and found no reference to the width.

 

[Reynard]

Did it not snap shut?

My (admittedly limited) experience of quick links is that if you don't have the right gadget to close them, the best way to do that is to stamp down hard on a pedal to apply a load to the chain. The sudden jerk should be enough to get the thing to snap shut.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

The bike is a 7 speed,

Is the chain link also 7 speed?
My understanding is that chain links for 9 & 10 speed are different. If yours was for 9 or 10 speed that may be why you had a problem.

Roccado is 7 speed and I've used 7 & 8 speed chain links successfully.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Use a chain tool to join instead and forget about chain links?

 

[fossyant]

6,7,8 - chains are the same size.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Use a chain tool to join instead and forget about chain links?

I understood that wasn't safe on modern derailleur systems.

If I was misinformed, it's worth a try, although it may make the chain a bit tight.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I understood that wasn't safe on modern derailleur systems.

If I was misinformed, it's worth a try, although it may make the chain a bit tight.

It is fine and 7 speed isn’t modern!

 

[cougie uk]

I understood that wasn't safe on modern derailleur systems.

If I was misinformed, it's worth a try, although it may make the chain a bit tight.

But we've had basically the same mechs for decades ?

 

[DaveReading]

6,7,8 - chains are the same size.

Not all 8-speed chains are the same width, which is why KMC make two different 8-speed quicklinks.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I understood that wasn't safe on modern derailleur systems.

If I was misinformed, it's worth a try, although it may make the chain a bit tight.

But we've had basically the same mechs for decades ?

I understood that splitting the chain and refitting it with the same pin made a weak link that could break under pressure.

 

[Gunk]

I understood that splitting the chain and refitting it with the same pin made a weak link that could break under pressure.

I’ve done it loads of times.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I understood that splitting the chain and refitting it with the same pin made a weak link that could break under pressure.

I never a had a chain break again after I’ve fixed it on the road. Maybe in theory, but in practice it works and it’s what we all did through the 70s,80s,90s,10s etc. Haven’t had a chain break in 20s, I’ll let you know…

 

[HobbesOnTour]

In fairness to @Andy in Germany he's selling this bike (and not as a private citizen). It places certain obligations on him.

 

[fossyant]

Not all 8-speed chains are the same width, which is why KMC make two different 8-speed quicklinks.

You are buying the wrong stuff then !

 

[Ming the Merciless]

In fairness to @Andy in Germany he's selling this bike (and not as a private citizen). It places certain obligations on him.

In which case it is a case of fit a new chain or keep chain with unknown history and join in the traditional way.