Brief Me on Quick Release Chain Links

[Peter P.]

You know; those things that take the place of one-time press in pins.

I'm getting tired of cleaning my chain on the bike. I need 9-speed.

Can those quick links be reused? Are they secure? Reliable? Are there lots of anecdotal stories of them breaking?

Who makes the best ones?

Are they worth it, to facilitate chain removal for cleaning?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

[p nut]

I've used Sram ones with good success. Removed and reinstalled several times. By the time the chain is worn, I toss it.

[montag]

I’ve been using 9-speed KMC chains with the “Missing Link” exclusively for many years and never have run into any issues. Set and forget until you need to take the chain off.

[SeanScott]

I have always used them with out any problems. It is so nice to be able to take a chain off and give it a good gasoline soak.

[cadence90]

In quoted text.

Originally Posted by Peter P.

You know; those things that take the place of one-time press in pins.

I'm getting tired of cleaning my chain on the bike. I need 9-speed.

Can those quick links be reused? Yes. Are they secure? Yes. Reliable? Yes. Are there lots of anecdotal stories of them breaking? Some, probably; "lots", probably not.

Who makes the best ones?
I have used KMC and Wippermann Connex, on KMC, Wippermann, and Campagnolo 10-S chains; both the links and the chains have been excellent.

Are they worth it, to facilitate chain removal for cleaning?
Yes.

Lastly, use 9-speed quick links with 9-speed chains.

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

[Louis]

I've used the SRAM 9-spd "PowerLink" (the gold ones) with success on Shimano 9-spd chains. No problems at all.

I would definitely recommend them to others.

[fogrider]

I like KMC, they are easy to remove without a tool and their chains are quiet. I've had SRAM chains fail on me so I won't use them...

[sales guy]

Cadence answered everything well. But my 2¢, switch to a 10 speed chain for your 9 speed kit. The drivetrain is quieter. The chain and cassette last longer and you get better shifting. Since you are talking a new chain with a master link, go up one now.

[SlowPokePete]

I like the Wipperman...

SPP

[tuscanyswe]

Think the 9-10 speed most were reusable. On 11s i think not all are meant to be reused. That is likely just a way to increase sale as I'm sure they can be reused.

[Bob Ross]

I've used KMC, SRAM, and Wipperman. KMC seemed to be the most no-brainer/no-problem of the bunch; I've had no issues with any of the KMC Missing Links, and now have KMC chains on all of my bikes.

[speedevil]

+1 on Wippermann chains and Connex quick links. I've slowly switched over to Wippermann chains on all of my bikes, and the Connex link is solid and easy to disconnect when you need to clean the chain. I used KMC before that, and had to use the chain pliers to release the KMC links. The Connex links come apart easily without the need for the pliers.

I've personally never had a quick link break, but that's an admittedly small sample set.

Chain preferences are sort of like chain lube preferences - you will get different answers from folks whose riding styles are practically identical. But if we all liked and used the same items, we wouldn't have anything to debate.

[avalonracing]

I wouldn't reuse a quick-link that is not recommended to be reused. It isn't worth the convenience or savings. I broke a chain under a very moderate load and it threw me to the pavement and separated my shoulder. The thought of it happening in a sprint is not a comforting one. Note- the chain I broke wasn't at a quick-link or pin. It was just a defective chain.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by sales guy

Cadence answered everything well. But my 2¢, switch to a 10 speed chain for your 9 speed kit. The drivetrain is quieter. The chain and cassette last longer and you get better shifting. Since you are talking a new chain with a master link, go up one now.

Big maybe there. Much thinner chain and with 'some' shift systems, like shimano, which doesn't 'overshift' then center..and rely's on the next cog 'grabbing' the chain, 10s chain on 9s system, 'may' shift really poorly, particularly with a worn-ish cogset.

IMHO, of course..AND 9s chains, like KMC, are cheaper..and very flexible...and come with a snap link..

[palincss]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

You know; those things that take the place of one-time press in pins.

I'm getting tired of cleaning my chain on the bike. I need 9-speed.

Can those quick links be reused? Are they secure? Reliable? Are there lots of anecdotal stories of them breaking?

Who makes the best ones?

Are they worth it, to facilitate chain removal for cleaning?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

SRAM 9 and below are re-usable. Per SRAM, 10 and above are not. Yes they are definitely worth it to facilitate chain removal. I've been using them for years. Be careful how you install them and they're plenty secure. I've had links come apart exactly twice due to improper installation.