sram powerlink

steven7319
steven7319 Posts: 37
edited February 2010 in Workshop
can i fit a sram powerlink to a shimano chain or should i get a sram chain.
they seem a very good idea, are there any drawbacks
oh my god not another hill !!!

Comments

  • HonestAl
    HonestAl Posts: 406
    Only used them on a SRAM chain, so this might not help but for what it's worth putting them on is a doddle (though so is using a normal shimano pin on a shimano chain) Taking them off is ... well, I can't do it, try though I might.

    I'm sufficiently incompetent that even when I've got the chain off (by treating it like a normal chain and punching out a normal rivet) I still can't undo the damn powerlink with any combination of fingers / pliers / prayer that I've yet found!!!

    I fully understand the theory (I believe) and you'll find a zillion videos on youtube showing you how to open them. I suspect once one has been on and off a few times they're easier, and / or there's some magic technique but I don't take my chain off to clean it, so the only time the link gets used is either to change the chain, or if something catastrophic happens.

    If you're out and about and your chain breaks, a spare powelink would help you put it back together. Seems to me though that you'd still need a chain tool (to remove the plates from the disconnected link thus letting you put the powerlink in), so if that's the case, why not just have a spare shimano link?

    I'm sure you'll find people who can explain why they're such a good thing.
    "The only absolute statement is that everything is relative" - anon
  • Bear77
    Bear77 Posts: 60
    I use KMC missing links on Shimano chains and they work very well, I would recommend them. Easy to get your chain off for cleaning. Also good to carry as spares for a quick repair.

    Not sure about powerlinks on shimano chains. I understand that SRAM don't recommend it but plenty of people have done it ok. The 10 speed powerlock link is not designed to be seperated. Again I think you can do it with some pliers but maybe not a great idea!
    The revolution will not be televised
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Yes, it fits fine. But, as the post above says, it's not really designed for re-use, although it can be undone with pliers.
  • LazyLoki
    LazyLoki Posts: 127
    HonestAl wrote:
    Only used them on a SRAM chain, so this might not help but for what it's worth putting them on is a doddle (though so is using a normal shimano pin on a shimano chain) Taking them off is ... well, I can't do it, try though I might.

    I'm sufficiently incompetent that even when I've got the chain off (by treating it like a normal chain and punching out a normal rivet) I still can't undo the damn powerlink with any combination of fingers / pliers / prayer that I've yet found!!!

    I fully understand the theory (I believe) and you'll find a zillion videos on youtube showing you how to open them. I suspect once one has been on and off a few times they're easier, and / or there's some magic technique but I don't take my chain off to clean it, so the only time the link gets used is either to change the chain, or if something catastrophic happens.

    If you're out and about and your chain breaks, a spare powelink would help you put it back together. Seems to me though that you'd still need a chain tool (to remove the plates from the disconnected link thus letting you put the powerlink in), so if that's the case, why not just have a spare shimano link?

    I'm sure you'll find people who can explain why they're such a good thing.

    Al, did you know that Park Tool make a set of pliers specifically designed to open quick links? It's a bit exuberant to have a special tool for this, I know but you can remove the chain from your bike in about 2 seconds!
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Garry H wrote:
    Yes, it fits fine. But, as the post above says, it's not really designed for re-use, although it can be undone with pliers.

    That's only the 10 speed ones. The 8 and 9 speed ones can be undone and redone many many times (best to change it when you change chain though).
    More problems but still living....
  • stokey1964
    stokey1964 Posts: 454
    I cut a piece of a wire coat hanger into a U shape so that its a slide fit around the link

    Squeeze this with the pliers and it flys off


    Simon
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    stokey1964 wrote:
    I cut a piece of a wire coat hanger into a U shape so that its a slide fit around the link

    Squeeze this with the pliers and it flys off


    Simon

    Now that is a useful bit of info. I have the special tool but this idea would be good when touring.
  • onbike 1939
    onbike 1939 Posts: 708
    stokey1964 wrote:
    I cut a piece of a wire coat hanger into a U shape so that its a slide fit around the link

    Squeeze this with the pliers and it flys off


    Simon

    Now that is a useful bit of info. I have the special tool but this idea would be good when touring.

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