Knack to taking KMC link off?
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Yes, but I'm damned if I could manage it. Buying the KMC pliers specific for the task was the best £7 I'd spent in a long time. Prices have gone up in the last 12 months though:
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/11587/KMC-Chain-Link-Pliers.html0 -
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Yes.
Don't ask me to explain it though, it's just something you get with practice. Just clean the chain in situ, mine only come off to go in the bin.0 -
No problems at all unless your chain is full of gunk and crap. Push outer plates inward and then just push pins towards each other.Norfolk, who nicked all the hills?
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If you get a piece of brake or gear cable about 10 inches long and slip it in the gaps of the chain next to ie either side of the quicklink then cross the ends of the wire over and pull each end away from each other the quick link will release . I always carry a =piece of wire in the tool kit I take on the bke for this very reason . Works just as good in the garage when cleaning the chain .0
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1 - squeeze plates together, then while squeezing...
2 - push pins together, with fingers/tool/wire/whatever, to release link
omitting the first step may cause damage to the link at the second stepmy bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny0 -
Easiest and simplest way, long nose pliers, gentle squeeze the two rollers together and then separate.0
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It should be easy according to the blurb in the instructions....but it ain't!
My technique is to bunch up the links either side of the split link. This gives you something to get some purchase on whilst sqeezing the plates together.
Keeping the chain clean is vital too.0 -
BLOODY WIERD
I had this EXACT issue today and went interwebbing to solve it. After ten minutes of stripping nuckles and exploring the more colourful areas of the english language I was desperate and ready to pop a pin.
Once I knew what I had to do it took all of three seconds with no special tools needed.
Pinch the links either side below the removable link so you create a triangle with the removable link at the top and the links either sides squeezed together below. It helps to take the chain of the chainrings so there is no tension in the chain.
Pinch the removable link gently in the middle with some needle nose pliers and the link will fall apart.
Simples!
It was driving me nuts too and I felt like I'd found some mysterious KMC spell when that link just fell apart so easily.......0 -
Wiggle it, just a little bit....0
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nitesight wrote:It helps to take the chain of the chainrings so there is no tension in the chain.
Or you make a tool for the job. I cut out a length of wire from a wire coat-hanger and bent each end round to make a hook. Hook one end in the chain a few links to one side of the missing link, then hook the other end into the chain a couple of links beyond where it reaches - which causes the section containing the missing link to drop down with no tension. Also makes it easier to rejoin the chain afterwards too...
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Unless you are prepared to carry a tool on your rides with you learn how to do it without pliers as you can be sure that the time you need to split the chain will be when you don't have a tool to do itNorfolk, who nicked all the hills?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/243 ... 8d.jpg?v=0
http://img362.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 076tl5.jpg
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/3407 ... e001af.jpg0 -
Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll have another go0
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Also some are just stiff. I have 2 SRAM chains which use pretty much the same link. One is OKish to get off but the new one I got for a 2nd bike is a bugger to get off, I have to use pliers. Maybe they loosen with a bit or wear?0
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Dont just pull the link apart, try twisting it back and forth (sideways) as you pull.0
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Or remember to fit a Wippermann quick link instead - you can do those one handedRecipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.0
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Ancient post revival.
I think KMC must have changed the missing links to stronger ones? I was trying last night to get mine undone and I even tried making a tool combined with some pliers to get it off and you couldn't have paid me to get it undone. Going to have another go tonight. I don't understand some of the above "just do this" type posts, with no pictures.0 -
coursemyhorse wrote:Ancient post revival.
I think KMC must have changed the missing links to stronger ones? I was trying last night to get mine undone and I even tried making a tool combined with some pliers to get it off and you couldn't have paid me to get it undone. Going to have another go tonight. I don't understand some of the above "just do this" type posts, with no pictures.
for the reusable ones just wiggle together.
done."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
I used to struggle with KMC quick links until I read a CTC technical article explaining the knack. I can now open quick links in a couple of seconds every time. No need to wiggle it or use special pliers or other tools - so you can do this even if you have trouble out on the road.
The CTC website has changed so I can't find a link to that article on that site but here's my explanation. It's similar to nitesight's tip except you leave the chain on the chainring.
1. Position quicklink at about 3 o'clock on the big chainring.
2. Lift the chain off the chainring below the quicklink and reposition it up by one link so that the quicklink and the link immediately below form a V sticking out from the chainring.
3. Tap the apex of the V with a hammer or similar hard object such as a handy stone.
The quicklink will open immediately.0 -
The above is the best tip of all time for KMC quick links. It has made splitting my chain a swear-free pleasure since I read about the technique a few weeks ago (split three chains since, in seconds).0
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CTC article here. http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf0
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I have the tool but one can use an old spoke to do the job. Just bend the spoke in two then insert the nipple end at one side and thread through out the other end of the link and squeeze together.0
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crankycrank wrote:CTC article here. http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf
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Ah har. A picture speaks a thousand words. Finally a link that is not dead anymore and shows the pic. I get it now thanks. I was thinking there must be a proper tooless way of doing it otherwise what's the point when out on the trail.
The way I got mine apart in the end the other night.... ah...I won't describe it. Will post a pic up tonight for future reference as easier to show a pic.0 -
Take a thin ziptie, and notch off the little bit of latching plastic that prevents you opening it again. Place in your saddlebag/p* repair kit/toolbox. To remove chain, thread it around the rollers on the link. Pull it tight and squeeze the plates a bit, and it'll slip apart easily. And then pull your ziptie straight again and put it back where you had it for next time.0