Thinking about splitting my chain

ljs1977
ljs1977 Posts: 247
edited June 2011 in MTB workshop & tech
I was thinking about splitting my 10 sp shimano chain for access / cleaning and maintenance.

1) is this advised?
2) is this common practice?
3) what reusable powerlink would you recommend for a shim 10sp
4) how much should I be paying for such an item

Bike - Cube Stereo - if this makes any difference?

Cheers

Comments

  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    1. No reason why not..
    2. Yes
    3. SRAM 10spd powerlocks don't come apart again, designed for 1 usage only.
    However KMC do this:
    http://www.sidcupcycles.co.uk/productde ... ctid=01934
    4. See link.
    Marin
  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,171
    I would not recommend using diffrerent branks of link on same chain but if you want a split chain, then fit a new one whcih has a spliut link.

    I was long time shimano user, not had any problem but of recent become convert to KMC chain which have re-usable split link - early days but not had any problems yet.

    .... but ask yourself do you really need one? For cleaning and maintenaqnce, you do not need to remove chain - a wipe down followed by a quick spary of chain lube followed by another wipe down is all that is needed. Only time you need to split chain is when fitting a new derailleur but even then it is not necessary as you remove the 2 bolts for the jockey wheels.
  • mrfmilo
    mrfmilo Posts: 2,250
    02GF74 wrote:
    I would not recommend using diffrerent branks of link on same chain

    Why?
    Marin
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Ditto why?
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,171
    why? good question - from the small number of chains I have seen (SRAM,Shimano, KMC) the plates and pins do not look identical so altough the overall dimensions - link spacing and width is the same, the small differences may mean using different make/model of chain will fail and since I do not carry spare chain nor chain tool, I will not do anyting to bring on a chain failure.

    That is my reasoning, I accept it could be total bollocks since I have not made the mix to see that a failure is more likely,
  • morleyman200
    morleyman200 Posts: 513
    i haven never had a problem, my brother has a 9spd shimano chain and he asked me to put a sram powerlink in it, and no problems since :) also along with a powerlock, because he is only 14 he doesn't have the money readily enough to buy new chains, i think his current chain is made up of about 3 different types of links, and he does ride hard, doing all mountain riding.
    so from my experience i think it should be fine mixing

    Tom
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Used KMC and Sram links on all sorts of chains with no problems.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    cooldad wrote:
    Used KMC and Sram links on all sorts of chains with no problems.
    Same, here, as well as Sachs and Connex. Just isn't a problem.
  • schweiz
    schweiz Posts: 1,644
    With the VN, I've been using KMC 10 Speed Quick Links on a Shimano Dura Ace chain since Shimano pulled their own quick link and went back to pins.

    No problem at all.
    VN BMC Cube SS
    http://app.strava.com/athletes/30000
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    That is my reasoning, I accept it could be total bollocks since I have not made the mix to see that a failure is more likely,

    It is, complete twaddle. How on earth would a different plate shape make failure more likely? Power Links themselves are different to 'normal' SRAM plates.

    KMC links are good, used them in 10 speed SRAM, Shimano and KMC chains.
  • Brian_of_Bozeat
    Brian_of_Bozeat Posts: 9
    There is a possibility that the pin diameter may be different between brands, a sloppy fit would give premature wear.

    With that said i have used Sram and KMC links on Shimano chains in the past - without any problems - I prefer the KMC Links have recently started replacing my chains with KMC chains because by the time you buy a new chain and a KMC link you may as well have bought the KMC chain with the link already in it... Also, I like the silver ones because it's easy to see if they are clean.

    I like to be able to remove my chain to clean it. I also like to remove the cranks to clean them and behind them as well during my regular service routine so maybe I'm a clean freak?
    Quintana Roo Kilo ~ Genesis Equilibrium ~ Focus Mares ~ Trek EX7
  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,171
    njee20 wrote:
    That is my reasoning, I accept it could be total bollocks since I have not made the mix to see that a failure is more likely,

    It is, complete twaddle. How on earth would a different plate shape make failure more likely? Power Links themselves are different to 'normal' SRAM plates.

    .

    I didn't say shape but alluded to plate thickness - if the plates were thicker on the chain than the link then the link would be a sloppy fit, and vice versa, it would be too tight.

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