Reusable Link for 3/32 Chain
04-30-20, 09:58 PM
#1
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Reusable Link for 3/32 Chain
Hi, I am changing my drivetrain to a 3/32 White Industries ENO freewheel and 3/32 Blackspire chain ring. I like waxing my chains on my road bike and would like to do the same for my single speed. Can anyone recommend a 3/32 chain with a reusable master link so I can undo the chain every 400-500 for a wax without having to buy a new link each time? I was thinking of the Connex 7R8 or KMC K810 chains but I am not sure if the Connex spring link or KMC link are reusable. Would anyone know? Any other recommendations?
Thanks!
Thanks!
05-01-20, 01:47 AM
#2
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Others will no doubt disagree. However, I have been tinkering with derailleur, hub-geared, single speed, and fixed bikes most of my life, and have used a chain tool since the mid 1980s. I have removed and added links, and used a chain tool to split a chain to remove it for cleaning, and put it back together using the chain tool far more often than I have used a "master link". I have never had a chain snap.
My two bikes at the moment (one 2 x 10 and one fixed) happen to have master links because that's what the chains came with, and when I remember, I use the master link and reuse it.
I am sceptical about the idea of "once only" master links. It strikes me as just one more example of the industry taking something that is inherently simple (the bicycle) and teaching us to believe that it is complicated.
Master links cost less than a pint of beer, so the amount is trivial. So much of modern throwaway society depends on large numbers of people spending amounts that individually are trivial.
So, in short, I'd either reuse the link you already have, or use a chain tool. I'm satisfied with the empirical evidence of 35 years of this working for me.
My two bikes at the moment (one 2 x 10 and one fixed) happen to have master links because that's what the chains came with, and when I remember, I use the master link and reuse it.
I am sceptical about the idea of "once only" master links. It strikes me as just one more example of the industry taking something that is inherently simple (the bicycle) and teaching us to believe that it is complicated.
Master links cost less than a pint of beer, so the amount is trivial. So much of modern throwaway society depends on large numbers of people spending amounts that individually are trivial.
So, in short, I'd either reuse the link you already have, or use a chain tool. I'm satisfied with the empirical evidence of 35 years of this working for me.
05-01-20, 02:20 AM
#3
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I'm a fan of Wippermann, really nice chains. Yes, the link on the 7R8 is just an old school master link with twin pinned plate, other side plate and a clip. Just remember to point the open end of the clip away from the general chain direction of travel. I have the 7E8 on my Rohloff, it's more like a motorcycle chain. I keep wearing out sprockets and the chain shows no measurable sign of elongation. One day I'd like to get some 1/8" Rohloff Sprockets made up and go to a 1E8 chain..
Edit: And just like that I found a KMC 1/8" rohloff sprocket. But Bike-components don't have the 1E8 chain...
Edit: And just like that I found a KMC 1/8" rohloff sprocket. But Bike-components don't have the 1E8 chain...
Last edited by Trevtassie; 05-01-20 at 02:28 AM.
05-01-20, 06:15 AM
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KMC 810 works fine. I never heard of one-use master links but I've used these chains for years and removed for cleaning etc. As long as you're not overly aggressive with thin, springy outer piece, I can't imagine it would be a problem.
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05-01-20, 08:46 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
Others will no doubt disagree. However, I have been tinkering with derailleur, hub-geared, single speed, and fixed bikes most of my life, and have used a chain tool since the mid 1980s. I have removed and added links, and used a chain tool to split a chain to remove it for cleaning, and put it back together using the chain tool far more often than I have used a "master link". I have never had a chain snap.
My two bikes at the moment (one 2 x 10 and one fixed) happen to have master links because that's what the chains came with, and when I remember, I use the master link and reuse it.
I am sceptical about the idea of "once only" master links. It strikes me as just one more example of the industry taking something that is inherently simple (the bicycle) and teaching us to believe that it is complicated.
Master links cost less than a pint of beer, so the amount is trivial. So much of modern throwaway society depends on large numbers of people spending amounts that individually are trivial.
So, in short, I'd either reuse the link you already have, or use a chain tool. I'm satisfied with the empirical evidence of 35 years of this working for me.
My two bikes at the moment (one 2 x 10 and one fixed) happen to have master links because that's what the chains came with, and when I remember, I use the master link and reuse it.
I am sceptical about the idea of "once only" master links. It strikes me as just one more example of the industry taking something that is inherently simple (the bicycle) and teaching us to believe that it is complicated.
Master links cost less than a pint of beer, so the amount is trivial. So much of modern throwaway society depends on large numbers of people spending amounts that individually are trivial.
So, in short, I'd either reuse the link you already have, or use a chain tool. I'm satisfied with the empirical evidence of 35 years of this working for me.
I'm a fan of Wippermann, really nice chains. Yes, the link on the 7R8 is just an old school master link with twin pinned plate, other side plate and a clip. Just remember to point the open end of the clip away from the general chain direction of travel. I have the 7E8 on my Rohloff, it's more like a motorcycle chain. I keep wearing out sprockets and the chain shows no measurable sign of elongation. One day I'd like to get some 1/8" Rohloff Sprockets made up and go to a 1E8 chain..
Edit: And just like that I found a KMC 1/8" rohloff sprocket. But Bike-components don't have the 1E8 chain...
Edit: And just like that I found a KMC 1/8" rohloff sprocket. But Bike-components don't have the 1E8 chain...
05-01-20, 08:49 AM
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I have been using the SL version, 'cos I like the cut-outs, for years - with a little track-slack mine last tons of miles and I've opened and closed the quick-links that they come with more times than I can remember.
