[Closed] Removing SRAM 11speed Chain

I've released them before with pliers by pushing the two sides of the link together. I've done this many times before.

They aren't reusable and can be hard to get off. I bought a chain link tool recently to do mine, basically a thin nosed pliers that can get in between the links

have a look here,

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/kmc-missing-links-tool-required

Why not just press the pin out where he wants to shorten the chain and insert another powerlink .

Yeah you're supposed to press the links out and rejoin with a new power link after shortening.
The power links are easily removable though if you get a pair of link pliers, less than a tenner off crc.

The links are reusable if you separate them with the tool.

Reusable in the sense that they will not lock firmly like they did the first time you used them and may accidentally open when the chain goes slack?

Well, I hadn't realised that the SRAM Powerlock was reusable, And I can't for one minute think that SRAM have built a business model around selling missing links at £4 a pop, so I can only assume that there was a reason why they made it an advisory?

So for the sake of argument I'll just continue to use it once and then bin it. It will add £4 or maybe £8 a year to my cycling cost, what's that? A bacon sarnie and two cups of coffee. Safe in the knowledge that the spare link rattling round in my old rema tip top repair box is for an emergency and not because I'm too tight or know more than the chain design engineers at SRAM.

Basically SRAM means that a PowerLink can't be used again on a new chain. You can unlock and relock it and keep it on the same chain as the whole thing wears together with the chain. Otherwise, what's the point?

I have the little ParkTool for getting it off and on as they're a right pain to take off with just fingers sometimes.

I've shortened a chain one link and reused the same PowerLink. Worked fine. I've taken chains off to re-grease BBs or even replace BBs. Then relocked the PowerLink and carried on riding. I've got a rear mech that the clutch has broken on... I'll be undoing the PowerLink to remove the chain before I fit the new mech. Plenty of jobs where the PowerLink will be reused on the same chain.

I don't get more than 400-600 miles out of a chain anyway. I let them go to 0.6 and then start thinking "one more ride on this... then new chain". It's amazing how much extra noise even a slightly worn chain makes on a bike. A lot of weird noises or odd issues have turned out to be the chain.

as I posted in the kmc thread, you don't need a tool, just do this.You can then save the old link as an emergency seatbag one and install a shiny new one.

[img] [/img]

Gelert, Is that 11SP that you are continually locking & Unlocking ? And thats poor mileage out of a chain, where do you ride?

@ Bumper, If you dont need a tool to do this why have you got a set of Molegrips in your hand?
The SRAM Powerlock, actually LOCKS itself, you wont get that SRAM locked link off without the use of a tool, A KMC one might not LOCK but the SRAM one does. I've removed hunfreds of chains with my fingers but i cant get a SRAM POWERLOCK off.

It's 10 speed but the links / chain boxes say the same on them. Non reusable. It's definitely fine if kept on the same chain though. I wouldn't say I continually unlock / relock it but over the life of a chain it might come off once or twice to do some work on the bike.

Lot of hills North Wales. 1x10. Crap chainline. Lots of mud. Grinding paste. 30 miles a week. I've tried the clean it all the time verses just wipe the crap off and re-lube and neither way lasts any longer. Once I feel the chain goes all slack sideways I know it's on the way out. I'd prefer to switch chains more regularly than spanner a whole drivetrain. One ride and it's up to 0.25. My wife's chain is two years old and I still can't get my chain checker in it... she rides only on the flat though and on nice sunny days! I ride every weekend whatever the weather and usually Wednesday night too - 2000ft for 10-15 miles isn't uncommon.

I did wreck a drivetrain when I first started riding. 600 miles through my first winter of riding and it was all dead.

Since then I'm much more careful and change the chain probably a bit prematurely but it's surprising how much nicer the bike feels with a new one anyway.

@ Bumper, If you dont need a tool to do this why have you got a set of Molegrips in your hand?

ffs, it's not my picture.

You can use anything to tap it open. Ignore the tip and buy a special tool.

I ended up using one of these

[img] [/img]

and then bought some of these

[img] [/img]

Bumper, So what your saying then is you nip the chain and tap it open just like that? Only there are threads all over the internet about people not being able to split a SRAM Powerlock chain, and your saying it simply taps open?

http://forums.mtbr.com/drivetrain-shifters-derailleurs-cranks/removeable-link-sram-11-speed-chain-883535.html

As I understand (based on previous threads on here) SRAM do a Powerlink and a Powerlock. One is designed to be easily taken off and then refused and the other - as the name suggests - isn't. I was advised that when SRAM went 10 speed they stopped using Powerlinks and went to Powerlocks. This explains why I used to have no problem with taking SRAM chains off with bare hands yet now I have to resort to tools.

Tortoise, EXACTLY That, thats why folk started using KMC's Missing Link, that they use on their 10SP chains, as it could be easily put on and taken off. Which is why SRAM remarketed their link as "NOT A MISSING LINK"

At the time i took my chain off and after a dusty fortnight in the Alps SRAM were the supplier of a LINK for their 11Sp, KMC didn't do one at that time so i had to put a POWERLOCK back on,

When it went on i i had to stamp on the pedal to insert the pin in the locked plate i thought then, youre not coming off either........

xyeti - Member

all of my bikes are 11sp sram and had powerlocks fitted. I always remove them as above because I rotate chains. The fatbike is now running a 10sp kmc reusable link on 11sp sram (I had no 11sp links at the time) and the others are now using gold kmc 1 use links.

Even the one use links can be reused but it's a risk, even the powerlocks, they have a more raised lip on the closure that wears as you undo it making it super easy to close/undo, I like my teeth so use them as emergency links once reopened. KMC do a reusable 11sp link but I've not got any, it has a small 'r' on the code on the faceplate.

OK, Thanks,

Look what i found, How easy is this, and clever, so i thought i would share it, For those Powerlinks that sometimes will not open because they are greasy,

I look at it like this:
Powerlocks have a tighter clearance around the pin making them harder to snap on and off. After a few uses, this clearance opens up and you are left with something which bears a striking resemblance to a Powerlink... This wear can be accelerated with suitable tools. 😉

Who the f*ck worries about their 9spd SRAM or 10spd KMC links opening if the chain goes slack?
And come to think of it, in the age of clutched mechs - who's chain is slack anyway???!

I wasn't worried about a slack none clutch less chain, I was worried about the chain snapping on the link that I was too tight to spend £4 on after spending thousands on a frame a grand on some forks and some more on some plastic wheels with exotic hubs,

Come to think of it, who the f*ck worries about spending £4 on their obsession, I mean hobby.

FYI - Condor have got a powerlink tool in their sale at the mo, £3.99.

But why would it snap?

I don't know, but SRAM recommends a one time fit, like VW recommends the timing belt be changed on my Mrs Car at X amount of miles, sure they get some money out of you for doing it but you get the security of knowing it's a new belt and pulley throwing the Pistons round that's driving the engine that your Mrs and kid are in,

I'd rather spend £4 on a link than use one that I just had to push a pin out of, admittedly I may think differently using the pliers to seperate one but for a few quid I'd rather drive all the way to Scotland knowing that my link is new as opposed to used, because it would cost my sanity and well being more in the long run, I like the solitude of riding my bike, I like it in tip top condition and if it's not it plays on my mind. That is one less thing that disturbs my equilibrium.

Screwing up my riding weekends on a bodged chain link that's knocked the edges off a lock to become a link, sounds like a stupid idea to me.

Did we miss this one earlier?

Why not just press the pin out where he wants to shorten the chain and insert another powerlink .

Just leave the existing link as it is, split, shorten and rejoin the chain at a different point, there's no reason you can't have more than one connecting link...

hey all, quick q - can I not split and rejoin a SRAM 11 speed chain the old school way, by pushing a pin out with a chaintool then pushing it back in? Or is this a no-go?

(& I guess I can't use a 10 speed quick link as the plates are too thick?)