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I've recently found myself catapulted into the (almost) present when I bought an 11sp Arkose R2, given that I still run 9 sp on by mountain bike.
I like to rotate chains on the bike to maximise life, and also like to remove the chains for cleaning. However I've noticed that most of the 11spd quick links are single use.
Is that really the case? Are any good reusable options available (like my trusty 9sp Stan powerlinks!)?
Pretty much all 11 speed split links say one time use only
In reality Ive removed and re used them multiple times on road bike's, mtb's and even e-mtb's which put more of a strain on the chain and Ive never had a split link fail in 5 years
KMC ones are 'multi-use' but the documentation clarifies that as up to 3 time.
I've reused 'single-use' SRAM ones quite a lot but I've also seen several where the pins have come away from the plates.. so just be gentle when unlocking them and check whether the pins are getting loose.
I've always taken "one time use" to be "use on a single chain". As with @escrs I've used them multiple times on road bikes and MTBs. So long as you don't bend/twist the link when installing removing I've found them good for the life of a chain. This is up to 11spd, not got a 12spd bike so can' comment on those.
Wipperman connex
I use ten speed KMC on SRAM 11 speed mtb chains. No issues, haven't died etc
I've reused kmc ones a lot. They've now become easier to open which is no bad thing.
I imagine that reusing them just wears the little bump that stops them coming undone. However, if the chain is always run under tension, I can't see why it should cause early failure.
This idea that chain links have suddenly become single use is madness and to be ignored in my opinion.
A
Just use 10 speed ones. They're reusable AND cheaper. The fact that they work perfectly with 11spd chains is a bonus.
Clarks, only ones I've found can be genuinely opened using fingers only !
Wipperman Connex since it's shaped in such a way that prevents it from coming undone when in use.
The KMC/Sram ones rely on an interference fit that eventually wears, and hence the chain could potential come undone when in use. You'll notice that if you reuse them enough times, they loosen off and no longer snap in to place.
wipperman connex, tool-free opening can be reused. never had any issues, remember it is directional. Also get their chains, they really are the bees knees.
Kmc
+1 connex
Yep, another one for connex wipperman tool free links, just keep it the right way up.
Never snapped a wipperman chain either, they are the best in tests.
These look clever but I can't find anywhere selling them for 12 speed chains, unless you can just use the 11 speed ones? I'd think they would be too wide.
+1 for what Onzadog says, KMC aee reusable, just that they don't want to warranty them if the bump wears from use. They'll survive a lot more than 3 reuses