KMC Chains - do they not like being split?

butcher of bakersfield

I just fitted a brand new KMC chain the other night. But while I was doing it I made a bit of a blunder - I think the chain slipped onto another cog when I was checking the length - and ended up with it a link too short.

So, after swearing at myself for a bit, I just took a link from the extra and popped it back in with one of the pins from the chain.

Eager to get out on it tonight...especially after fixing the chainline with a BB spacer that arrived today...I take it for a spin, and it's running OK, but the gears keep jumping intermittently. And then, 10 minutes into the ride, a short climb, and there's a familiar sound. Click, crrr, click, crrr, click. My subconscious is already shouting loudly, ease off, that's the sound of a chain about to snap. And sure enough, Pop. Pedals spinning. Chain trailing.

Anyways. It turns out it's the link I added back on (i.e. the one next to the actually split link). Now I've read packaging on chains before. Sometimes I've even went as far as the instructions. And I've heard that maybe you shouldn't use the 'regular' links that you pull out, but I've never had any problems in the past with Shimano chains.

Do you really have to carry several special KMC split links around with you at £6 a pop?

Bike ran perfectly on the way back home once I removed that link.

1mancity2

Only join them with jointing pins or use a split link. The pins pushed out are distorted and weakened.

cooldad

Not necessarily the type of chain, just joining a chain with a pin can make a weak point if it's not fitted perfectly. Couple of masterlinks are worth having anyway, but £6 a pop? Shop around.

mar_k

are these the links you need

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KMC-Genuine-J ... 791591c09b

cooldad

Good spot, grabbed a few.

stubs

Doesnt need to be a KMC link SRAM or Connex ones work fine as well.

Did the same myself a couple of years back when I was in a friday night rush, flaming thing went halfway up a steep pull putting me in a ditch. You cant beat the old carpenters maxim "measure twice cut once"

cooldad

But at £1.50 posted, good deal on the KMC's on Ebay.

butcher of bakersfield

stubs wrote:

You cant beat the old carpenters maxim "measure twice cut once"

Worst thing is, I trained as a joiner when I left school. It's a rule I generally abide by. Could've kicked myself.

I take it it's OK to run a few of these split links in your chain? If it was necesarry...

stubs

cooldad wrote:

But at £1.50 posted, good deal on the KMC's on Ebay.

Yes I know dont need any at the moment but cant pass them up at that price. Was just saying doesnt have to be the same make I am currently running a KMC chain with a Connex link because it was all they had in the shop and I was desperate to get on the trail.

stubs

butcher of bakersfield wrote:

stubs wrote:

You cant beat the old carpenters maxim "measure twice cut once"

Worst thing is, I trained as a joiner when I left school. It's a rule I generally abide by. Could've kicked myself.

I take it it's OK to run a few of these split links in your chain? If it was necesarry...

Yes they are as strong as the original chain put a few in your pack for when you bust a chain on the trail.

cooldad

Works fine, I currently have two in mine. Overdid the shortening when I lost the big ring.

delcol

i had 3 split links in my sram chain... it worked fine.

1mancity2

cooldad wrote:

Works fine, I currently have two in mine. Overdid the shortening when I lost the big ring.

X2

RyanMK43

Does anybody know if the KMC links are ok to fit to shimano HG93 chain? Been looking at getting some of these links and at this price it’s too good to pass up

cooldad

Yes, work in any chain of the right speed.

njee20

Yes they are as strong as the original chain

I disagree, but not sufficiently to worry about having at least one in a chain!

RyanMK43

cooldad wrote:

Yes, work in any chain of the right speed.

Cheers cooldad 8)

The Rookie

butcher of bakersfield wrote:

I take it it's OK to run a few of these split links in your chain? If it was necesarry...

Yes it's fine, in fact I run all my bikes with 2 powerlinks just one inner apart as it gives me a spare powerlink (in addition to the ones I carry) in an emergency, losing just the big sprocket at the back on the big ring at the front.

Simon