{"id":41192,"date":"2022-09-10T10:00:35","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T08:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=695667"},"modified":"2022-09-10T10:29:17","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T08:29:17","slug":"quick-links-explained-compatibility-how-to-fit-a-quick-link-and-can-you-use-it-more-than-once","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/quick-links-explained-compatibility-how-to-fit-a-quick-link-and-can-you-use-it-more-than-once\/","title":{"rendered":"Quick links explained: compatibility, how to fit a quick link\u00a0and can you use it more than once?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Saturday, 10 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Quick links can be used to hold your chain together, making your life a whole lot easier when it comes to maintenance, cleaning or getting you home should your chain<\/a> break out on a ride.<\/p>\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll take a look at what a quick link is, the question of whether you can reuse them and compatibility, as well as walking you through a guide on how to remove and install them.<\/p>\n

What is a quick link?<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Bike mechanic holding a chain quick link<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A quick link replaces a chain link with a pair of interlocking plates with in-built pins that can be installed or removed without a chain breaker. This allows a chain to be easily removed, for example if you\u2019re going to thoroughly clean your chain<\/a> off the bike or if you\u2019re replacing your chain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Quick links are sometimes known as a connecting pin, missing link, master link, power link or spare link. But, regardless of name, they all have the same function.<\/p>\n

It is well worth carrying a quick link when you\u2019re riding, perhaps in a saddlebag, just in case you\u2019re unlucky enough to break your chain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Can you use a quick link more than once?<\/h2>\n
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Shimano\u2019s quick links require a fair amount of force to undo.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oliver Woodman \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Quick links can\u2019t be used more than once, although there are some exceptions. This is because a quick link is weaker when reused and there is a greater possibility of it snapping \u2013 which is the last thing you\u2019d want to experience out on a ride.<\/p>\n

Many non-reusable quick-links require quite a lot of force to install and if you reuse one, you\u2019ll notice that less force is required to lock the quick link into place.<\/p>\n

Some riders and mechanics reuse quick links without issue, although you should consider the risks. If you\u2019re going to reuse a link, bear in mind the force it takes to remove or install the quick link compared to how it was originally and replace it if it\u2019s significantly looser.<\/p>\n

Shimano and Campagnolo don\u2019t manufacture reusable quick links.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
SRAM\u2019s road and mountain bike PowerLocks are not currently cross-compatible.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

SRAM\u2019s 8- and 9-speed PowerLinks can be reused, but its 10-, 11- and 12-speed PowerLocks are non-reusable. SRAM says the ridge that joins the two plates of the PowerLock together can be damaged when unlocking it.<\/p>\n

KMC, an after-market brand, offers both reusable and non-reusable \u2018Missing Links\u2019 in its range. The quick links are manufacturer and speed-specific, so make sure you get the right one for your drivetrain<\/a>.<\/p>\n

YBN\u2019s reusable quick links are said to be good for up to five uses.<\/p>\n

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Wippermann Connex quick links use a different design to other manufacturers.<\/span><\/figcaption> James Huang \/ BikeRadar.com<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Wippermann\u2019s Connex quick link uses a different hooked design rather than a locking fit. Wippermann says its quick link can be reused many times, in addition to being removed and installed without tools.<\/p>\n

Many of KMC, YBN and Wippermann\u2019s quick links are compatible with groupsets from the Big Three.<\/p>\n

Quick link compatibility<\/h2>\n
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SRAM was the first big groupset brand to release a quick link.<\/span><\/figcaption> Josh Patterson\/Future Publishing<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

SRAM was the first big groupset brand to release a quick link, when it released the PowerLink on its 8- and 9-speed systems and PowerLock on its 10-speed system.<\/p>\n

Shimano and Campagnolo steadfastly stuck to joining pins for their chains.<\/p>\n

Shimano took a long time to bring out a quick link, but it finally released one in June 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Campagnolo\u2019s C-Link is only found on the brand\u2019s Ekar gravel groupset.<\/span><\/figcaption> Warren Rossiter \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Campagnolo waited three more years, releasing its first quick link in September 2022.<\/p>\n

Called the C-Link, Campagnolo\u2019s quick link was designed to work with its new 13-speed Ekar<\/a> groupset. This is still the only quick link in Campagnolo\u2019s range: it has not brought out quick links for its 11- and 12-speed groupsets, nor for any of its legacy products<\/p>\n

How to install a quick link<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Make sure the chain is cut to length first.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re installing a new chain from scratch, cut the chain to the correct length (bearing in mind you\u2019ll need to add a quick link). Both ends of the chain will need to be open inner links. You can cut the chain to length using one of the best chain tools<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re adding a quick link to a broken chain by the side of the road, you won\u2019t need to worry about this first step.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Install the quick link at either end of the chain.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Install each end of the quick link at either end of the chain. If the quick link is designed to travel in one direction, make sure you are installing it the correct way round.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
This Eagle chain quick link is \u2018smiling\u2019 when underneath the driveside chainstay.<\/span><\/figcaption> Oscar Huckle \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

On Shimano, the arrow should point towards the rear derailleur when it is underneath the driveside chainstay. The best way to think about SRAM Eagle is its moon-shaped quick link should be \u2018smiling\u2019 when it\u2019s underneath the driveside chainstay.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Join the quick link together.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Place the pins of the quick link in line with the larger holes on the opposing link and push the two halves together so they are engaged.<\/p>\n

Pull the link so the pins slide into the smaller holes and the quick link closes. If the two sides aren\u2019t engaged properly, the quick link will likely break.<\/p>\n

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You can use a master link plier to ensure both ends of the quick link are locked together.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Some people like to use a pair of dedicated quick link installation pliers to fit a quick link.<\/p>\n

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If you don\u2019t have a suitable quick link plier, you can hold the rear brake on and put force on the pedal to lock the quick link into place when it is above the driveside chainstay.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you don\u2019t have a pair, pedal the chain so it\u2019s above the driveside chainstay. Pull the rear brake on and pedal downward. You should hear a loud click, signalling it\u2019s seated in place. It\u2019s worth a final visual check too.<\/p>\n

Because a chain is under tension when fitted, it can be tricky to pull both ends of the chain together when installing a quick link.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It can help to push the rear derailleur cage forward to achieve some slack on the chain.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you\u2019re finding it difficult to get the two ends together, either get a friend to hold the rear derailleur cage forward to give you some more slack, or use a chain retention device or a bent spoke to hold both ends of the chain together. If your bike has a clutch rear derailleur, turn the clutch off.<\/p>\n

If the quick link isn\u2019t moving freely, it\u2019s worth dropping some chain lubricant<\/a> on it to free it up.<\/p>\n

How to remove a quick link<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
First, locate the quick link.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Removing a quick link is practically the same process as installing one, just in reverse.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s possible you will be able to remove 8- or 9-speed quick links by hand, simply squeezing the two plates together and sliding them apart. If the chain is unclean or the quick link is stiff, this can be a fiddly task.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A quick-link tool makes installing and removing chains quick and easy.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Quick links in 10-, 11- or 12-speed chains require much more force to undo, due to the tighter tolerances on these chains. This means you\u2019ll need to use removal pliers. Many brands, such as KMC, Park Tool and Shimano, make these tools.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re replacing the chain entirely and you don\u2019t have removal pliers, you can always use a chain breaker anywhere on the chain.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Once pressed inwards, the quick link will then unlock.<\/span><\/figcaption> Stan Portus \/ Our Media <\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

When using removal pliers, insert the tool on either side of the quick link\u2019s pins. Squeeze the pliers and the link should come undone. This can sometimes require force, particularly on non-reusable quick-links.<\/p>\n

Make sure to use a new quick link if the one you\u2019ve removed is not reusable.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n

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