Fasten chain. Shimano pin or KMC quick link?

ben@31

Hi,
When fitting a chain. Do people prefer fitting the permanent pin that comes with Shimano chains or using an after market quick-link instead?
I already have a chain breaker tool and fitted Shimano chains before. I just wondered if using Shimano's pin has any benefits over using a KMC quicklink ? Is it any more stronger or durable?
Also, are there recommended limits to how many times you can break a Shimano chain and fit another pin?
It's a 11 speed 6800 chain.
I understand a quick-link chain can be removed for cleaning, like putting it in a jam jar. But I've cleaned chains left just on my bike using a cloth. I found the chain cleaning plastic box things don't work well (just smeared the oil around).
Thanks.

ElectronShepherd

Personally, I always use the Shimano pin. Like you, I clean the chain "on the bike" so not being able to remove it easily is no hardship.

All Shimano chain pins and KMC 11-speed quick links are single use only. If you did need to break a Shimano chain multiple times, it would be better to break it at a different place each time, rather than breaking at the old pin, even if you put a new pin in. But bear in mind that no broken and rejoined link will be as strong as a factory-installed link.

sungod

the connex 11-speed link is removable

Man Of Lard

KMC link every time even if they're single-use - after a pin-related niggle (accidentally installed from the wrong side and the nose of the pin acted to push the chain down a ring on the rear cogs - change down to the cog it was trying to push it to, and it did the same again... - resolved with some light filing of the nose of the pin)

Where are people acquiring their Connex links from (last time I looked it was about £3.50+post for one... Last bag of 10 KMC links was £7 delivered...)

dombo6

I have just shortened and fitted a new Shimano 10sp chain, using the original pin I partially pushed out to remove the links. I only discovered the connector pin when about to throw away the packaging.
Is this likely to be considerably weaker than using the connector pin or a powerlink?

grenw

KMC - always have done on all types of bikes. Never take the chain off to clean either. Just happier knowing that it's an easier operation to change the chain when I need to. Did one just last week. The 11 speed ones can be used a couple of times - dozy git here actually routed the chain the wrong side of the tab in the rear mech cage and had to undo and redo. Not a problem undoing and redoing.

Never had a problem on 4 bikes (2 mtb, 2 road) in the last 5 years that I've been using them - 20 chains or so? Only chain I've had that failed was a Shimano one (sample of one I know!) which ripped the mech off when it got jammed in the cage. Luckily it snapped the hanger with no more damage.

PS - I'm assuming the plastic cleaning boxes you mean are the ones where you clamp them over the chain and wind back the pedals? They do work very well but you do need to rinse the chain and wipe it down afterwards to get all the degreaser/grease mix off.

Lookyhere

Dombo6 wrote:

I have just shortened and fitted a new Shimano 10sp chain, using the original pin I partially pushed out to remove the links. I only discovered the connector pin when about to throw away the packaging.
Is this likely to be considerably weaker than using the connector pin or a powerlink?

emergency repair only, its works but the links can and will pull apart.
if you go online shimano tech doc;s they explain how to rejoin the the chain, they dont inc instructions anymore in the packaging, Shimanos method is to do with the chain direction of travel and the leading link to use.

By pushing the pin back through, you ve enlarged the outer link hole, so if it were me i d replace this with a kmc quick link, your problem is going to be finding the link you used.

keef66

Dombo6 wrote:

I have just shortened and fitted a new Shimano 10sp chain, using the original pin I partially pushed out to remove the links. I only discovered the connector pin when about to throw away the packaging.
Is this likely to be considerably weaker than using the connector pin or a powerlink?

If you've pushed out a pin you've sheared off a small ring of metal, so reusing the pin is considerably weaker. Your difficulty is going to be finding that pin again to push it out completely.

Shimano clearly think their joining pins are the best way of joining a chain. If you never envisage removing the chain till it's worn out, use the Shimano pin. If you're like me and constantly rotating / removing chains then use a KMC link or similar.

ben@31

Can the KMC chain link be opened and closed multiple times? If its single use only, then its defeated its purpose over the Shimano chain connector pin.

sungod

ben@31 wrote:

Can the KMC chain link be opened and closed multiple times? If its single use only, then its defeated its purpose over the Shimano chain connector pin.

sram ships its chains with a link (9-speed re-usable, 10/11-speed one-time use)

bear in mind there're people who can't work a quick link, let alone fit a pin

mugensi

ben@31 wrote:

Can the KMC chain link be opened and closed multiple times? If its single use only, then its defeated its purpose over the Shimano chain connector pin.

I've removed my 11spd KMC quick link at least 4 times at this stage (and re-fitted it) without any problems. It says single use on the box but they open easily with chain pliers so I dont see why they cant be re-used. They aren't like the 9 and 10spd KMC links which can be opened by hand for some reason but I'd imagine its due to the thinner plates and pins.

sungod

fwiw with the sram 10-speed one-use links i once tested to see what happened if they were forced open (i always used a kmc removable instead)

the first time of opening (using link pliers) took slivers of metal off the locking surfaces of the plates, after that it was easier to close/open

the point is that removal physically damaged the link, there are three possibilities...

the damage reduces failure probability
the damage does not alter failure probability
the damage increases failure probability

personally i'd bet on the latter, therefore i would not re-use a one-time link, a chain snapping can cause a nasty accident, if a few quid extra reduces that risk, i'll spend the extra few quid

fenix

KMC Quick Link is fantastic. And you get two in a pack so you have a spare in case something happens on the road.

dennisn

To be honest I don't trust myself putting in pins. Too much chance of error when compared to a quik link, which is basically foolproof, though not completely. Way easier too. Can't see any reason to use pins.

Bordersroadie

Fenix wrote:

KMC Quick Link is fantastic. And you get two in a pack so you have a spare in case something happens on the road.

A good summary, plus:

For chain removal/cleaning/refitting, it is a perfect, simple solution.

Also, I've done a few tens of thousands of miles using KMC quicklinks with not one issue, either in use or in maintenance.

Secteur

Man Of Lard wrote:

Last bag of 10 KMC links was £7 delivered...)

Do tell where from! I have always paid significantly more!

This topic has come up about 10,000 times (do a search) and general consensus is KMC best and most of us seem to reuse them freely, including myself, despite the official "Single use" instruction.

bernithebiker

I've never had a problem re using KMC quick links. I regularly take my chain off for cleaning.

DAZZ_A

Another vote here for quick links, I believe the term "single use" refers to when replacing a chain for a new one, then you should use a new link. I have assembled and reassembled my chain now 5/6 times and still going strong.

I also use the gold one so its easy to spot.

Man Of Lard

Secteur wrote:

Man Of Lard wrote:

Last bag of 10 KMC links was £7 delivered...)

Do tell where from! I have always paid significantly more!

This topic has come up about 10,000 times (do a search) and general consensus is KMC best and most of us seem to reuse them freely, including myself, despite the official "Single use" instruction.

99% sure it was gobike88 on eBay - they certainly all came on the KMC card - and if I remember correctly, the prices he was charging in £ were different to those in € and various sorts of $ but all good for international shipping from Taiwan.