deacon mark

Today I put a new 11 speed chain on my bike and normally I use a Wippermann Connnex quick link. Since it was the 2 chain I have used for the wippermann I decided to try the Shimano Quick link. What a pain in the arse. It is easier to do a standard pin. I don't have the tool that is suppose to be used for it but I have lots of tools used needle nose pliers to try and pull apart the opposing links, I tugged and said this is nuts. So I going to simply buy another Wippermann Connex they are not cheap but 50 times easier to use and can be reused. Shimano really has screwed this up. A quick link that is not quick. \

Are all the other quick links like this and is anything as good as Wipperman for less coin?

masi61

I had a bad experience with a Taya 9 speed chain recently. My Park Tools quick link pliers didn’t free it up so I tried some lateral pressure with a screwdriver & ended up destroying one whole link of chain.

squirtdad

getting the park quick link tool has been a big help...... but I really want the shimano as it has a way to over the pivot point...so that whether your are removing or installing you are always closing the grips. but it is expensive

deacon mark

Yes it is and I can buy a Wipperman for $25 and I used it for 2 chains and for me that is about 10,000 miles I am super easy on chains get lots of mileage. I would bet I could keep using the wippermann but no sense taking a chance. The Shimano tool is $43 and not worth it at that price unless I was going through chains every 2-3000 miles. I get more mileage out of chains than anyone I know. Could be I live in the flatlands of Illinois and not a huge masher, I don't purposely ride in the rain and keep chain clean. I take it off every 800 miles or so and dunk in OMS. That cleans it well and really I get 6000 miles with 1/16 inch stretch tops.

TimothyH

Master link pliers are maybe $15 max. I've seen them for $7. It makes Shimano, KMC and SRAM master links super easy.

I got the tool two years ago but should have bought it two decades ago. You won't regret it.

Use a piece of coat hanger for a hands-free assist, shown below when breaking the chain but same idea.

shelbyfv

The Shimano instructions describe installation with a tool. No mention of doing it w/o. Not surprised you had difficulty. The Park tool is inexpensive.

Steve B.

I just installed one.

Read this somewhere, you roll the chain with the not-yet-snapped shut link so the link is on the top between the cassette and crank, idea being you press the brakes, stand on the pedal to attempt to roll the bike forward, the pressure on the chain closes the link.

Worked like a charm.

Homebrew01

Yup, installing should be easy....I was a bonehead once and had the link on the bottom section of chain...obviously stepping on the pedal had no effect ...LOLOL

Opening a quick link doesn't require a tool. put the link at 3:00 on the crankset. Pull an extra link, so 1 end of the link points forward like this: >

Then just give a little tap on the point, which should force it open.
It's faster than the time it takes to find the tool.

TiHabanero

I use a standard pliers to open quick links from Sram and KMC. No special tool needed. Never worked with a Shimano quick link.

Dan Burkhart 

Taya quick links AKA Sigma ,are actually pretty good, and require no tools. They are opened by side flexing the chain at the connecting link until the pin can slide out of the widened part of the hole. If it is the original link that came on the chain, only one pin will disconnect. If is a mending link the whole plate can come off.