Stupid KMC 10sp Missing Link

SCR Pedro

Hey. Does anyone know how to open these stubborn pieces of crap? It's one of the re-usable links, for which you should be able to push the plates together and then apart. Not a bloody chance! I've been at it for an hour, and not a budge.

Any tips? All of the search results suck.

marcusjb

http://www.ctc.org.uk/file/member/201107050_0.pdf

SCR Pedro

Job's a good 'un! Thank you, sir!

sungod

there are two types from kmc, one is removable, one isn't

if you have the removable type, if it is not damaged you are not doing it correctly, i've used umpteen of them, there is a definite technique, at first i struggled, now it's a few seconds

to simplify, put chain on small-small to remove tension, to make it really easy you could use a rubber band to pull the rear mech forward

with the chain slack and the link positioned on the lower run, gently squeeze (not mash) while sliding, the link will come undone

if it doesn't then either it's damaged or you're doing it wrong

gsej

SCR Pedro wrote:

Hey. Does anyone know how to open these stubborn pieces of crap? It's one of the re-usable links, for which you should be able to push the plates together and then apart. Not a bloody chance! I've been at it for an hour, and not a budge.

Any tips? All of the search results suck.

The CTC link has a good technique for when you're out on the road, but at home I use these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Park-Tool-Chain-Link-Missing-Powerlink/dp/B00D9NW32I constantly. A great time and finger tip saver.

DiscoBoy

gsej wrote:

SCR Pedro wrote:

Hey. Does anyone know how to open these stubborn pieces of crap? It's one of the re-usable links, for which you should be able to push the plates together and then apart. Not a bloody chance! I've been at it for an hour, and not a budge.

Any tips? All of the search results suck.

The CTC link has a good technique for when you're out on the road, but at home I use these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Park-Tool-Chain-Link-Missing-Powerlink/dp/B00D9NW32I constantly. A great time and finger tip saver.

BBB also do a set of these which I find to be excellent

keef66

I could always undo the 8 and 9 speed ones, but the 10 speed reusable ones can sometimes be a bugger to undo with the squeeze and slide technique. The CTC tip is handy at the roadside.

For home use I'd recommend the removal pliers. Seems like overkill but they are jolly handy; I love mine.

SCR Pedro

I'll look into getting one of these tools. They could only help.

@sungod: I have the re-usable type. I had the crank completely off, so there was no tension whatsoever. The link is only 600km old, and is in good condition. Internet searches tell me that the 10sp ones are much harder to remove than 8 or 9 speed links. It took a 'tickle' with a hammer, but it did the job.

drlodge

I have the 11sp ones and always use the removal pliers...why struggle?

DKay

keef66 wrote:

I could always undo the 8 and 9 speed ones, but the 10 speed reusable ones can sometimes be a bugger to undo with the squeeze and slide technique. The CTC tip is handy at the roadside.

For home use I'd recommend the removal pliers. Seems like overkill but they are jolly handy; I love mine.

I agree. The 9spd. link on my old bike was a doddle to undo by hand. I find the 10spd. link on my current bike is impossible to undo by hand. I used to resort to threading a loop of tennis string between either side of the link and pulling the loop closed which would open the link. It worked well, but I now just use a pair of removal pliers as they're only for a few quid.