Shimano chains & SRAM chain links

2000miles
2000miles Posts: 10
edited April 2008 in Workshop
Does anyone know if Shimano 10 sp chains can be joined with reusable chain links from other manufacturers.
Cheers

Comments

  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Sure, you can use a Wipperman Connex link. I had one on my Campagnolo C10 chain til the chain wore out. Now I have a Wipperman chain. The links are pretty good. The new Sram links are one time only affairs. You can reuse the Wipperman links.
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    edited April 2008
    No, because Shimano chains are not the same width as other manufacturers' chains.

    Shimano chains have external protruding rivets for the ramps and pins on the cogs to catch on when changing gear, a Shimano-patented feature.

    Other people's chains don't, are a different width.

    The chain itself is fine to use - e.g. if you have a 10sp Shimano bike, you can use a SRAM, KMC, Wippermann, whatever chain on it, that's fine

    But you should only join Shimano chains with the Shimano special pin, join SRAM/KMC/Wipperman/etc chains using their respective missing-links.


    Google 'width shimano chain sram'
    and you'll find http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index ... 26875.html for example
    Shimano HG 8 speed = 7.4mm wide
    Shimano HG 9 speed = 6.6mm wide

    SRAM 8 speed = 7.1mm wide
    SRAM 9 speed = 6.9mm wide

    Rohloff 8 speed = 7.1mm wide
    Rohloff 9 speed = 6.8mm wide

    Campy 8 speed = 7.1mm wide
    Campy 9 speed = 6.8mm wide
    Campy 10 speed = 6.1mm wide
    About halfway down - Tandem Geek
  • Swannie
    Swannie Posts: 107
    edited April 2008
    I've been wondering about that.

    If I use my chain tool to break my Shimano chain, do I need to have a small supply of Shimano special pins to re-make it?

    As I understand it, the flaring/peening will be deformed as I push it through the "near" side, so I cannot push it back?
  • everogere
    everogere Posts: 68
    Good question swannie was gonna ask that myself !
  • star_rover
    star_rover Posts: 318
    I've joined several shimano 10spd chains with 10spd SRAM powerlocks and had no problems (and 9 spd chains with 9spd powerlinks).
    You can also re-open the chain with the SRAM links - it's not easy but it can be done.
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    i have a shimano 9-spd dura-ace (xtr) chain and I use the KMC 'power'-style links.

    they work fine. my lbs reckons they don't bother with the stupid shimano guided-rivet at all.....
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    Swannie wrote:
    I've been wondering about that.

    If I use my chain tool to break my Shimano chain, do I need to have a small supply of Shimano special pins to re-make it?

    As I understand it, the flaring/peening will be deformed as I push it through the "near" side, so I cannot push it back?

    if you need to split it, don't let the pin fall all the way out is the advice on the back of a brand new dura-ace (xtr) chain
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.

Categories