You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I recently got an 11spd bike. Chain snapped so I got out my trusty chain tool, removed a link and put chain back together. Chain snapped almost immediately. Repeat process. Chain snapped again. So, you can’t fix 11spd chains without a quick link?!
I don’t get it - never had this problem with 9spd
Watching with interest, just switched from three rings up front to a 1 x 11. I bought some 11 speed quick links, but haven't had to do any repairs yet. Come to think of it, I haven't checked to see if my stand alone chain tool or the one on my multi tool work with an 11 speed chain.
So, you can’t fix 11spd chains without a quick link?!
Well you can fix Shimano ones if you have a spare pin. Quick links are the way to go though.
I think most 11 speed chains are not designed to have the rivets reinserted, because the ends are peened over to lock them in place, and you remove the peening when you drive the rivet out.
I wouldn't even bother trying to reinsert a rivet on a 9 speed chain for a repair. Better to just use quick links and spare chain offcuts, if necessary.
Just use quick links. It's just easier. Most are supposed to be single use (though I've requested some with only one failure). KMC however do make a reusable 11spd quicklink.
My 9 speed Shimano chains always used to snap where I joined them if I didn't use one of the black pins to rejoin...
Guess I’ll just have to get some quick links. They always seem to get lost in my bag and it be there when I need them! They are also ridiculously expensive!!
They are also ridiculously expensive!!
How often do you need to use one? In 20 years and many thousands of miles I've only had to use five at the trail/road side - and three of those weren't even for me.
Repaired a few 11 speed when out and about. Never had a problem, I did use either the black Shimano pin or a quick link. I keep stuff like that in an old puncture repair kit box in my pack.
They always seem to get lost in my bag and it be there when I need them!
I tape one to the gear cable of each bike. Endurotastic but I got tired of losing one side or having the wrong link in my pack for the bike I’m riding. I break far fewer chains with a 1x transmission anyway.
I stash a quick link under the top cap of the headset on each of my bikes. Saves ever being caught out with the wrong one in my backpack.
I stash a quick link under the top cap of the headset on each of my bikes. Saves ever being caught out with the wrong one in my backpack.
I'm going to do this. Why didn't I think of this before? It's a ballache remembering to swap the spare link in my saddle bag depending on what bike I'm riding. 2 10sp bikes, 1 11sp. And the SS is running a 9sp chain ... 🙄
I bought a new shimano 11sp chain last week and noted it came with a quick link rather than a pin, guess shimano themselves dont recommend pins now if they are supplying quick links with their chains.
davewalsh
Member
I stash a quick link under the top cap of the headset on each of my bikes. Saves ever being caught out with the wrong one in my backpack.
That is indeed a great idea.
Only thing is that with me I bet I forget that I stashed one there!lol
My 9 speed Shimano chains always used to snap where I joined them if I didn’t use one of the black pins to rejoin…
yup.. not right away, but eventually and usually under heavy load.
quicklinks are fairly cheap, so why not. at home i even used the proper quicklink tool for the first time yesterday, lazy but a great tool that just works.
Guess I’ll just have to get some quick links. They always seem to get lost in my bag and it be there when I need them! They are also ridiculously expensive!!
Decathlon do a 2 pack for £6.99; looking at them I'm pretty sure they are KMC ones really.
I stash a quick link under the top cap of the headset on each of my bikes.
I've got mine, plus a 10 and 9spd as well in one of those bank coin bags stuffed into the hollow axle of my chainset; I used to stuff them up the inside of the steerer tube but since we went to tapered steerers they're a bit loose hence using the axle now. I've saved someone else's ride on several occasions by having a magic link of the right size.
You can also get away with a 10 spd link on an 11, or a 9 on a 10 if needs be, it'll run a bit rough due to the extra width but barely noticeable for the benefit of not walking home.
9 speed link works on an 11 speed chain too, I’ve discovered.
Decathlon do a 2 pack for £6.99; looking at them I’m pretty sure they are KMC ones really.
Pack of 4 Sram ones is only £8.95 on Amazon atm
I would add that 11 speed quick links can be a bugger to undo. Tyre lever / chain tool saves a lot of buggering around.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/263893067104
I've always re-used quick links, didn't know they were disposable!
I re-use them too - I think it's a manufacturer pile of bollox to boost sales of them!!
I’ve always re-used quick links, didn’t know they were disposable!
I re-use them too – I think it’s a manufacturer pile of bollox to boost sales of them!!
I re-use them too, however have seen some fail with the pins falling out (I think the interference fit just gets loose) so they do have a finite life.
I stash a quick link under the top cap of the headset on each of my bikes.
I've got a couple stuck in a blob of blu-tack inside my bar-end plug. It's a bigger hassle getting them open without a tool, TBH. Always have trouble getting the chainring method to work.
I re-use them too, however have seen some fail with the pins falling out (I think the interference fit just gets loose) so they do have a finite life.
Fair enough - but each one only gets two or three openings and closings max, but usually none. I don't remove chains to clean or anything.
I've got 10sp links that I have for my road bike and mountain bike (new cross bike is 11sp) so I'll use these if I ever need one, a 10sp should be ok to limp home on, snappage would be new chain time anyway for me... stem top cap is a great idea DaveWalsh
btw you're not davewalsh who lives in Manchester and plays drums are you??
I've always re-used them - no issues. The 11 speed ones can need a small pair of pliers to undo (but I carry a cheapo rolston mini tool thing with pretty usable pliers on it).
Tape a pair of quick links to your brake hose out in front of your head tube and Bob's your uncle.
btw you’re not davewalsh who lives in Manchester and plays drums are you??
Doesn't sound like me, I'm from Wigan and play guitar (badly).
My spesh enduro has them under the top cap along with a chain tool.
I’ve got mine taped to the underside of my stem. They just live there and I never really notice them
As above, using the Specialized one. If you don't have a chain tool then they are a worth while investment, split link is extra.
molgrips
Subscriber
I’ve always re-used quick links, didn’t know they were disposable!
only a certain amount of life in them. I usually reuse too, But I replaced my chain and cassette the other month, was slipping like a bastard till i put a new quick link in.
I let my chains and cassettes wear down to destruction though.