Ultegra Chain Pin

[bpsmith]

Just picked up an Ultegra 6800 11 speed chain locally. The box literally contains the sealed chain package and that's it. Is there supposed to be a connecting pin too?

Never fitted a Shimano chain before, only KMC, so naturally insure. Didn't expect a Quick Link, but did expect a connecting pin. Or are they an additional purchase?

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Yes there should be a pin that you insert and then snap off the additional length. My shimano chain came with a couple.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Just picked up an Ultegra 6800 11 speed chain locally. The box literally contains the sealed chain package and that's it. Is there supposed to be a connecting pin too?

Never fitted a Shimano chain before, only KMC, so naturally insure. Didn't expect a Quick Link, but did expect a connecting pin. Or are they an additional purchase?

There, we just found your missing pin. It is in Bradley Fold....wherever that is. It should come with one and one only.

 

[lpretro1]

Don't bother with it - fit a quicklink

 

[Arrowfoot]

Don't bother with it - fit a quicklink

When it comes to 11 speed, the quicklinks are non-reusable. Some issue with tolerance and you also need a 11 speed chain tool to get it right for the pin as well. KMC have said they will announce once they get it right.

 

[bpsmith]

So basically I need to go back for the pin then. Doh!

 

[Yellow Saddle]

When it comes to 11 speed, the quicklinks are non-reusable. Some issue with tolerance and you also need a 11 speed chain tool to get it right for the pin as well. KMC have said they will announce once they get it right.

http://kmcchain.us/connectors-list/page/2/
11-speed quick links have been available for a while.

 

[bpsmith]

http://kmcchain.us/connectors-list/page/2/
11-speed quick links have been available for a while.

Are they now reusable on 11 speed? A comment above suggests not?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Are they now reusable on 11 speed? A comment above suggests not?

I missed that point. I don't know if they are re-usable but I see the problem. 11-speed chains have the same internal dimensions as 10-speed but the side plates are thinner. A reusable link needs a special recess that must completely hide the pin's head so that it is flush and there may not be enough material in there to manufacture it easily enough.
Back to the drawing board.

 

[bpsmith]

I missed that point. I don't know if they are re-usable but I see the problem. 11-speed chains have the same internal dimensions as 10-speed but the side plates are thinner. A reusable link needs a special recess that must completely hide the pin's head so that it is flush and there may not be enough material in there to manufacture it easily enough.
Back to the drawing board.

I don't know any better tbh either. Will drop by the shop later and get the missing pin. No hassle.

 

[Arrowfoot]

I missed that point. I don't know if they are re-usable but I see the problem. 11-speed chains have the same internal dimensions as 10-speed but the side plates are thinner. A reusable link needs a special recess that must completely hide the pin's head so that it is flush and there may not be enough material in there to manufacture it easily enough.
Back to the drawing board.

Its the thin side plate that seems to be the issue. I can't recall which forum where a rep from KMC stepped in said they are not re-usable and it is now mentioned in the package. It is also states that it compatible with Campy but silent on Shimano and KMC makes Shimano chains. Also found out you need a 11 speed chain splitter ( from Parks) to get it flush with the side plate. Rep also said that they are working on a reusable one and that was nearly a year back.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I checked the US and EU websites. The US website makes no mention of reusability whilst the EU website (www.kmc-chains.eu) does clearly state that it is not reusable.
KMC only makes Shimano 7/8 and 9-speed chains. Not 10 and 11-speed, that's made by Shimano in Japan.

I had a look at the photos posted on the KMC EU website of the 11-speed non-reusable and 10-speed reusable 11-speed links and they look like this.

This is the 10-speed reusable link.

This is the 11-speed non-reusable link.

The difference in retention mechanism can be seen inside the aperture. On the reusable link (top) the pin's groove has to jump over the step in the aperture and then settle down in the recess. In the 11-speed link the groove slides through and snap into the recess. This is the same design as the SRAM Powerlink which is also non-reusable. Generally, removing the link damages the two bumps in the groove. This doesn't always happen - seldom in fact, but the manufacturers are taking no chances and simply state that it is non-reusable. If you know what to look for, you may re-use the link safely. Once you've removed it, have a good look at the little retention bumps and if they are undamaged, reuse it. You'll obviously feel the positive snap action as the chain engages again. If it simply slides in position without any resistance, give up on it.

Chain plates are stamped out before heat treatment and the process isn't downwards scalable in an economic fashion. I am sure KMC will invest in some R&D and new machines and give us an 11-speed reusable link, but it will be expensive.

 

[Arrowfoot]

I checked the US and EU websites. The US website makes no mention of reusability whilst the EU website (www.kmc-chains.eu) does clearly state that it is not reusable.
KMC only makes Shimano 7/8 and 9-speed chains. Not 10 and 11-speed, that's made by Shimano in Japan.

I had a look at the photos posted on the KMC EU website of the 11-speed non-reusable and 10-speed reusable 11-speed links and they look like this.

View attachment 84354

This is the 10-speed reusable link.

View attachment 84355
This is the 11-speed non-reusable link.

The difference in retention mechanism can be seen inside the aperture. On the reusable link (top) the pin's groove has to jump over the step in the aperture and then settle down in the recess. In the 11-speed link the groove slides through and snap into the recess. This is the same design as the SRAM Powerlink which is also non-reusable. Generally, removing the link damages the two bumps in the groove. This doesn't always happen - seldom in fact, but the manufacturers are taking no chances and simply state that it is non-reusable. If you know what to look for, you may re-use the link safely. Once you've removed it, have a good look at the little retention bumps and if they are undamaged, reuse it. You'll obviously feel the positive snap action as the chain engages again. If it simply slides in position without any resistance, give up on it.

Chain plates are stamped out before heat treatment and the process isn't downwards scalable in an economic fashion. I am sure KMC will invest in some R&D and new machines and give us an 11-speed reusable link, but it will be expensive.

Thanks YS

I understand that the initial packages in the European market did not carry the "non-reusable" term on the package. Now it does. As Campy came out with 11 speed chain before Shimano, I thought it was a matter of time Shimano name would be added.

Ps. I lost 3 pins and a link with a bent plate. I then realised that the issue was the thin plates and having the pin flushed. Yep KMC did indicate they are working on it.

 

[bpsmith]

I went back to the shop and was apologetically given a link. The mechanic thought that they were supposed to come with 2, but none in my box and only 1 in the other.

I have checked my current chsin and sitting between 0.5 and 0.75 on the Park measuring tool. Going to just change now as need to break the current chain to fix my bent hanger anyway.