Powerlock - really one use only?

guttertrash
guttertrash Posts: 147
edited June 2011 in Workshop
I was about to remove the chain from my bike to give it a soak in some degreaser, but remembered (luckily) that it uses a Powerlock joining link.

Is it really single use, or just a ruse my SRAM to get more money out of us? If it really is single use, then is it safe to just use a KMC Missing Link instead? I'm not happy about forking out £4 everytime I want to clean the chain.

Dont get why KMC can make a re-usable link but SRAM can't.
Ribble New Sportive
Specialized Pitch Pro

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    yes it is. that is the way they designed it. get some KMC ones and use them.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    Blokes at SRAM wrote:
    SRAM chain engineers developed PowerLock as a tool free, sure and consistent way to connect our 10 speed chains. While PL does not require special tools for install, the especially tight tolerances of 10 Speed drive trains mandated that each PowerLock is good for a one-time application only.

    http://www.sram.com/sram/road/technologies/190
    Faster than a tent.......
  • Bobbinogs
    Bobbinogs Posts: 4,841
    I'm with Nicklouse on this one, just get some KMC ones as they work on Sram, etc., and can be reused without fuss. I found the investment in the removal pliers to be a good one (not essential but they don't half make it easy).
  • cq20
    cq20 Posts: 207
    Bobbinogs wrote:
    I found the investment in the removal pliers to be a good one (not essential but they don't half make it easy).
    Agreed. First time I used these, I had a "Why didn't I do this before" moment. (Also had the same thing after getting proper cable cutters.)
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,554
    powerlock - single use

    i usually use a kmc link instead

    fwiw when i did use powerlock and needed to open it (using link pliers), i noticed some small shavings of metal that seemed to come from the bit of the link that latches on the pin, so removal did damage it
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    I think I have a SRAM gold link would that be a power lock link?
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • e999sam
    e999sam Posts: 426
    Use the 10 speed link from decathlon only 3.99 for 2 these are KMC links.
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/10s-connector-3888551/
  • centimani
    centimani Posts: 467
    Oh, thats interesting :oops:
    I fitted what i believe is a 10 speed powerlock (its SRAM and black in colour). I used to use a KMC link and remove the chain regularly and drop it in an oil bath. The SRAM link wouldnt undo, even with link pliers. Got it undone today (with link pliers) but still had a hard job re fitting it. It did go, and its running ok, but maybe i'll need to check for those shavings that Sungods talking about.

    Ironically i wouldnt normally have brought a SRAM, this one was amongst some carboot bits i got for a bargain.

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