SRAM Powerlink Connector

[casspir]

Is the SRAM Powerlink Connector reusable over and over? 

 

I have a SRAM Powerlock which can only be removed with a chain tool. 

 

Regards,

 

casspir

[1kTT]

yes use it as many times as you like. I take mine off after every couple of rides to clean the chain.

[TheLegend]

 

yes use it as many times as you like. I take mine off after every couple of rides to clean the chain.

 

please share your trick with me how to take that thing off. When I take it off its always connected with  swearing and wasting precious time.

 

[dylankeyter]

you just need a good pair of pliers. put of on each side of the link and it should come off without too much hassle

[Racer X]

No just press the link together and unclip, its just a knack. PS, they are compatible with Sram, Shimano and Campy. I have one on my campy chain and have had no probs.

[TheLegend]

Is it?

thanx dylan

That's the one thing on the bike that makes me despair when working it and ya, i've tried the plier attempt.

But my chain stays on the bike until it's dead and gets replaced so it's not that important. BUT it's still so annoying when doing it!

 

 

[TheLegend]

 

No just press the link together and unclip' date=' its just a knack. PS, they are compatible with Sram, Shimano and Campy. I have one on my campy chain and have had no probs.[/quote']

 

press it together and unclick?

never happend on my chains...

 

[casspir]

Let me just clarify this:

 

The PowerLOCK is a once off.  It must be removed with a chain tool and replaced.  (Something I learnt today after wanting a Powerlink and being provided with a Powerlock by the LBS).  Should have RTFM in the shop!

The PowerLINK is a reusable item.  I have one on my MTB and I am happy with it.  It makes chain maintenance so easy. 

 

I haven't got a recipe to get it off.  Use a piece of wire (dry cleaning hanger type) and bend it into a flat C shape.  Use it to hook a link left and right of the powerlink in order to ensure a unstressed powerlink.  This also allows easy removal of the powerlink.   Play with it, it will eventually open. 

 

I have been using a Connex link on my road bike but investigating using a SRAM 10 speed Powerlink in its place.  The Connex link is quite large and the SRAM link the same as the chain. 

 

This is the reason for this thread.  To try and determine if other hubbers are also using the SRAM Powerlink on their 10 speed road bikes.  And if so, any comments on the matter. 

 

Regards,

 

casspir

[TheLegend]

 

 

I haven't got a recipe to get it off.  Use a piece of wire (dry cleaning hanger type) and bend it into a flat C shape.  Use it to hook a link left and right of the powerlink in order to ensure a unstressed powerlink.  This also allows easy removal of the powerlink.   Play with it' date=' it will eventually open. 

[/quote']

 

will try, thanx

 

[Delgado]

yes use it as many times as you like. I take mine off after every couple of rides to clean the chain.

 

please share your trick with me how to take that thing off. When I take it off its always connected with  swearing and wasting precious time.

Ditto!!! But after a pair Parktool pliers MLP-1, link off in a second and no swearing or scars!!

[Johan Bornman]

The SRAM magic link/quick link/powerlink/missing link thingy has some quirks.

 

1) Up to 9-speed they're removable.

2) The SRAM 10-speed one is not removable by hand and is supposedly not reusable. In reality it is reusable but only King Kong can get it off. You need, like Delgado says, a special tool.

3) The SRAM product (others differ) requires two forces a) squeeze plates together and then b) squeeze laterally on the two plates in a diagonal fashion as if to squeeze it into a parallelogram.

 

4) Since it must also be squeezed together, it doesn't work well when it is dirty, since dirt prevents the plates from moving together. Ironicallyl, that's when you want to take it off to clean.

 

5) Shimano doesn't make such a product for chains above 8-speed and I suspect it is refusing to pay patent royalties. It should bring out one since this is the future of chains.

 

I'm now experimenting with YBN links. So far so good. They make a removable 10-speed one.

 

R25 a pop is outrageous for these little links but that's what they cost.

 

 

[Guest Big H]

From the Sheldon Brown website:-

Subject: SRAM (formerly SACHS) Power-links
From: Jobst Brandt
Date: May 12, 1999

The SACHS Power-link, can be separated easily alone but not when in a chain. The link is designed not to open by axial compression alone, typically when a new chain is used on worn sprockets, where skipping over teeth can cause inertial compression by the trailing chain. To prevent this occurrence, a recess around the head of the stepped pin makes more than a half circle, preventing the pin from sliding in its slot. That means the side plates of the link must be pressed together, taking up side clearance, to raise the head of the sliding pin above this retention.

To open the chain, find the link, make an upside down U-shape of the chain with the link as the cross bar, the adjacent chain hanging down, grasp the link diagonally with pliers across the the corners to which the pins are fixed, not the corners with the keyhole slot. Pushing the side plates together assists removal but is not essential, the diagonal force having a lateral compressive component.

Before using a Power-link, put it together to see why it does not readily slide from closed to open position. Road grit makes this even more difficult.

[Guest Big H]

I carry a short lenght of an old spoke bent on both sides to hook through the chain. When a chain breaks and you have to repair (this happens to Tandems) it is easy to keep the chain under tension and do your repairs. I also use the megaffter to pull the chain together to remove my chain as discusssed above. What is very important is to take a new link and see how it works as discussed above.

 

Heck I just did it yesterday when I did a Makulu clean on the chain!!!!!!!!

Big H2009-02-02 09:36:52