SRAM chain installation - GOING MAD

JimboPlob

Hi

Just purchased a new SRAM chain. Cut it to correct length, put the power plates in and tried to connect it. It just doesn't want to connect. I cant slide the pins snug into the housing.

I can get it apart either, so its kind od stuck half way

Any ideas??? Driving me mad!

desweller

When you say you can't slide the pins into the housing, do you mean that you can't get the pins to lock into the plates? I.e. the link is at the right width but the wrong length.

JimboPlob

I cant get the pins to slide into place. I have looked at you tube videos and it looks like the tension of the rear deralliur should even be enough. Mine is no well and truly stuck!!

Really really frustraiting

JimboPlob

Yes, cant get the pins to slide into the plates

sungod

is it 10-speed?

these use a powerlock link, it's not like a re-usable link, you have to apply more force to close a powerlock, derailleur tension is nowhere near enough

unless you've mis-aligned it so that the recess on a pin is out of line with the plate, just do this...

position chain so that the powerlock is at the top i.e. between sprocket and chainring, stand over bike, weight on saddle, apply brakes, put weight on pedal to tension chain, increase pressure on pedal until it clicks into the locked position

sram's instructions for 10-speed chain installation...

http://cdn.sram.com/cdn/farfuture/lE2r6 ... __2_07.pdf

JimboPlob

Thanks

I just clipped in and stomped on the pedals. Worked a treat.

However, I am guessing its now almost impossible to remove that link?

Thanks

desweller

The SRAM Powerlinks are not designed to be removed.

I use the cheapo Clarks links from CRC, but apparently Decathlon are selling rebadged KMC reuseable links for a good price.

Wirral_paul

They are supposed to be a one time installation but some have apparently managed to re-use them using the right tool such as the Park one

http://www.probikekit.com/uk/park-tool-mlp-1-master-link-pliers.html?utm_source=google?utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=google_base_gbp

sungod

you can remove powerlocks, but in the process the link gets worn

i always fit a re-usable kmc link, so i've had spare powerlock links to play with - on the first removable (using link pliers) i found tiny bits of metal, presumably scraped from the part of the link that locks around the pin, it's hard to say if re-fitting took less force than the first time, but removal was certainly much easier, which suggests the link was now looser

some people get away with smoking most of their lives with no apparent ill effects, live a long happy life, then eventually die of something unrelated to the puffing, but their existence doesn't prove smoking is a wise choice

the same applies to re-using a safety critical part designed for one-off use, people may get away with it, but that doesn't mean it's wise, chain failure can cause a nasty accident

a few quid for a link actually designed to be re-used seems a good investment, plus the kmc re-usable links can be fitted/removed with fingers only, so no need for a tool