Questions tagged [master-link]

A master-link is a special chain link which allows joining (and sometimes breaking) a chain without tools.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
3 votes
0 answers
46 views

How to connect quick link for 6/7/8 gears Shimano chain?

I recently ordered a new chain and I am having trouble connecting the quick link, which I also ordered (first time doing it). It seems the pin of the quick link won't stick out far enough to be able ...
bigboss's user avatar
  • 31
4 votes
2 answers
752 views

Assembling cut off brand new chain links into one single chain

Would it be possible and viable to store the cut off links in every chain replacement and eventually link those together with a bunch of quick links to form a new chain?
Gregory Leo's user avatar
  • 1,295
8 votes
4 answers
2k views

A 9 speed quicklink fits an 8 speed chain, and feels secure, but is it?

I snapped a chain today, on the errand bike near work (in traffic, but luckily not uphill). That's 8 speed, and I have a lightly used 8-speed chain (Shimano). I don't have any 8-speed quicklinks, ...
Chris H's user avatar
  • 58.4k
5 votes
1 answer
454 views

Can you use a 6-7-8 speed masterlink on a single speed chain

So it's really simple, I wanna confirm if I can use a 6-7-8 speed masterlink(https://www.amazon.in/Phenovo-1Pair-Bicycle-Chain-Connector/dp/B07BGZVF6C/ref=dp_fod_1?pd_rd_i=B07BGZVF6C&psc=1) on a ...
Yash's user avatar
  • 51
6 votes
4 answers
8k views

Can I reuse chain link pins after removing links from shortening chain

I am trying to make my current chain shorter, and I am wondering how I can do that. The chain is new and it is a shimano 11 speed, but I had already installed it with the quicklink (quick link is now ...
Daniel lieberman's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
225 views

7/8 speed quick link on 6 speed chain?

I have a 6 speed freewheel with a chain which says HG on it. Can I use a 7/8 speed quick link on my chain?
Stelios Liakopoulos's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
3k views

Quick link too easy to remove after installation, is this a problem?

As I always do, I've used a an 11-speed KMC quick link to close my 11-speed chain. However, this time the quick link was particularly easy to fit (and similarly very easy to remove). Is this an issue? ...
maupertius's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Quick link won't 'click'

I'm brand new to bicycle maintenance/repair and just replaced my chain for the first time which I'm very excited about. I do, however, have a problem. I used a quick link to attach the chain and I ...
CanOSpam's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
12k views

Re-use Shimano quick link?

Can I use the quick link from my old shimano chain to my new shimano chain? Or the old link will cause any problem? I have to say that no damage is visible in that old quick link. Both 2x11, same ...
Alex Par's user avatar
  • 579
13 votes
1 answer
3k views

Can’t attach master link [duplicate]

I’m trying to install a chain with a snap on master link, but I can’t figure out how. I’ve tried twisting the chain as suggested by other questions to get it into place, but that doesn’t help. How do ...
EBikeRider's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
707 views

Rotating 12-speed SRAM GX chain

I have a new mountain bike with an SRAM GX 12-speed drivetrain. I am thinking about rotating the chain to make maintenance easier and to increase the lifetime of the cassette. I would swap between two ...
snorberhuis's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
4k views

Multiple master links on the same chain

Not so long ago I put a new PYC SP1101 chain on my bike, but several rides in I managed to snap the rear derailleur off, which also bent a bunch of chain links. No way I'm throwing a perfectly good, ...
Klaster_1 Нет войне's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
2k views

Sram quick link on a Shimano chain

Is it compatible to use a Sram quick link on a Shimano chain (both 11sp.)?
Alex Par's user avatar
  • 579
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there a master link for single speed chain that will fit in Shimano chain tensioner?

I've got a bike with planetary hub Shimano Alfine 8-speed and this chain tensioner. It uses single speed chain. However master link on the chain I bought (similar to this pic) is too wide to fit in ...
CrabMan's user avatar
  • 151
9 votes
3 answers
4k views

Can you reattach an SRAM powerlock?

An advert for their PC-1031 chain on chainreaction said the Powerlink Powerlock was one time use only; you couldn't attach the chain, detach it and then attach it again without a new Powerlock. I ...
Ne Mo's user avatar
  • 1,385
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

Bike chain rattles

I've got this issue with my bike: the chain rattles an unusual lot when the bike is subjected to usual shocks during a very usual ride (or when I replicate that myself). Background I've got a 21 ...
ditsuke's user avatar
  • 89
2 votes
3 answers
314 views

How to find key values of a chain?

My chain says "Z KMC 3C-2 RB" which I suppose refers to as 'Z8 RB 1/2" x 3/32"'? The bike shop where I have bought from until now doesn't have this exact model. So what are the key properties of the ...
Jasmine Lognnes's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
3k views

Does master-link size matter?

I recently got this chain master-link for my 21 speed bike but it turns out that it's really meant for a 24 speed drivetrain. Does this mean that the master-link won't be good on my set up? Or that it'...
ditsuke's user avatar
  • 89
10 votes
1 answer
3k views

The master link that came with my chain won't fit

I have this master link that came with my chain (Snap On type). In the first picture it is distinctly the one on the left - not a spring clip. Try as I might - it doesn't seem to be long enough? Do I ...
Jesse Martin's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
143 views

Reinforce master link

I put master link on my bike and it keeps falling off the chain or snapping. The chain makes clicking noises or gets stuck then jumps off crank or the link snaps off. There's less than 5 miles on the ...
user32304's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
5k views

I need to get a new master link how can I tell the size of it?

I have lost a piece of my master link for my bike is there a way to find out what size it is so I can order a new one and replace it.
Mykkel Holland's user avatar
24 votes
8 answers
59k views

Putting pin(s) back into chain

While trying to put a new chain on a bike, I rather stupidly removed the "wrong" link in the chain, and it's already very short, so I can't simply remove yet another link in order to get the "correct" ...
errantlinguist's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
15k views

how to identify chain type

How can I identify the make and model of a chain? I need to take a chain off and clean it. (It's a new-to-me used bike, and I'm giving everything the once over.) The chain doesn't have a master ...
compton's user avatar
  • 2,481
6 votes
2 answers
36k views

How to assemble bike chain with no Master link?

I just bought a KMC chain on Amazon, and to my surprise, it didn't come with any kind of master link or connecting pin. I thought this was standard. So, did I just forget to order the part, or can you ...
Tom Auger's user avatar
  • 368
1 vote
1 answer
8k views

Easiest way to remove a chain master link / masterlink

When I'm breaking a chain with a master link (to remove the chain from the bike), usually I can do it with my hands by pushing the links together until the master link comes apart. But sometimes it's ...
Sean's user avatar
  • 381
7 votes
3 answers
3k views

Chain with master link / quick connect link doesn't clear rear derailleur

Bought a chain with a master link (packaging said quick connect link), it looks just like this: This bit however won't fit cleanly through my derailleur, it snags on the wall right as it goes onto ...
Leeroy's user avatar
  • 461
1 vote
1 answer
194 views

Did SRAM change/update their 10 speed PowerLink?

On a rare occurrence this weekend I managed to completely destroy my SRAM PowerLink. So I went over to my LBS and got a new one; however, when I went to install it, it was super hard to close the link ...
Aaron's user avatar
  • 5,057
10 votes
7 answers
16k views

Reusing SRAM 10 Speed PowerLock?

According to: http://www.sram.com/sram/road/technologies/powerlock "SRAM chain engineers developed PowerLock as a tool free, sure and consistent way to connect our 10 speed chains. While PL does ...
David J.'s user avatar
  • 357
2 votes
1 answer
587 views

Campagnolo master link won't fit

I bought a Campagnolo master link (this one) for use with my Campy 10 speed chain. When it's not on a chain, it joins up and clicks into place and all is well. However, when I try to fit it around ...
Mac's user avatar
  • 9,126
1 vote
2 answers
943 views

Snapping master links

I have a 3x9 gearing installed and I've noticed that the chain broke, by failure of master link, twice within 25 km. Interestingly, the failure was perpendicular to the direction of motion: What am I ...
moshbear's user avatar
  • 333
10 votes
5 answers
13k views

Should I use a master link?

I just ordered a new KMC X10SL Ti 10 Speed chain for my bike. And I am wondering if I should use a master link or not. In the past I have had much trouble with them. I used to use them on my 9 ...
Sponge Bob's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Using non-Shimano link with Shimano chain?

I know the official answer from Shimano is you can only use their quick link, but practically is it okay to use SRAM or KMC links? Specifically, I have the Shimano HG-40 chain.
Carson Reinke's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
27k views

How do you connect and disconnect a quick release chain link?

I can't find any nice video or pictures tutorial that explains how to connect and disconnect a quick release chain link. Am I not finding anything because it has another more common name? How do you ...
Alessandro Cosentino's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Which master links for 1/8 inch aka BMX chains?

It was very easy to find master links for 3/32inch (aka 9-speed chain) but I cannot find them for 1/8 inch (aka BMX chain). My chain is the Nexus CN-NX10. Cannot understand the odd observation that ...
user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
454 views

Should I use an already master-linked chain or add a masterlink to a plain chain?

Trying to find moderately-priced 9-speed chain is a pain, particularly with a master/missing link already installed. I can only find PC-971 master-linked chains from US market but shipping and ...
user avatar