Re-using Eagle 12 speed Powerlink

dabber

A regular question on 10/11speed KMC (and other) Quicklinks is whether they can be re-used. I use 11 speed Quicklinks on my road bikes and I do re-use them , not excessively and I always use a new one when I replace a chain. Never had a problem.
I've recently bought a MTB with Eagle SX 12 speed and wondered what the collective wisdom on re-using the Powerlink.
I understand the official view is single use only.

tom_howard

Re used mine a couple of times after fitting a new mech, then realising I’d screwed up the chain routing through it. Still fine.

dabber

Thanks for the feedback Tom.

steve_sordy

I have always re-used powerlinks and I've had no problems with 9, 10, 11, or 12-speed links. But when the chain is replaced, so is the powerlink! The old link goes in my backpack for emergencies (mine or someone else's).

I say that "single use" means per chain, not per connection.

dabber

steve_sordy wrote:

I have always re-used powerlinks and I've had no problems with 9, 10, 11, or 12-speed links. But when the chain is replaced, so is the powerlink! The old link goes in my backpack for emergencies (mine or someone else's).

I say that "single use" means per chain, not per connection.

Thanks Steve. That's always been basically my philosophy as well but wasn't sure regarding the 12's.

steve_sordy

Dabber wrote:

steve_sordy wrote:

I have always re-used powerlinks and I've had no problems with 9, 10, 11, or 12-speed links. But when the chain is replaced, so is the powerlink! The old link goes in my backpack for emergencies (mine or someone else's).

I say that "single use" means per chain, not per connection.

Thanks Steve. That's always been basically my philosophy as well but wasn't sure regarding the 12's.

If you don't have one already, you will need a proper pair of pliers to remove the powerlinks. I could remove 9-speed powerlinks by hand and struggled with 10-speed but I failed to find a reliable method of removing 11 or 12-speed powerlinks other than with special pliers. Cost about £10. They will remove any speed of link and it takes a few seconds to remove a powerlink.

dabber

steve_sordy wrote:

Dabber wrote:

steve_sordy wrote:

I have always re-used powerlinks and I've had no problems with 9, 10, 11, or 12-speed links. But when the chain is replaced, so is the powerlink! The old link goes in my backpack for emergencies (mine or someone else's).

I say that "single use" means per chain, not per connection.

Thanks Steve. That's always been basically my philosophy as well but wasn't sure regarding the 12's.

If you don't have one already, you will need a proper pair of pliers to remove the powerlinks. I could remove 9-speed powerlinks by hand and struggled with 10-speed but I failed to find a reliable method of removing 11 or 12-speed powerlinks other than with special pliers. Cost about £10. They will remove any speed of link and it takes a few seconds to remove a powerlink.

Thanks Steve. Yes, I've got a pair of those. Very useful.