Cyclist0108

Shimano XTR/Dura Ace and XT/Ultegra chains can now be purchased with an optional quick-link.

Anyone have any experience with these? I worry about the chain coming apart while I am riding, or not shifting as smoothly. Is this warranted?

Dave Mayer

My new Ultegra 11 chain came with a quick link. I have no concerns about it coming loose, as it took some extraordinary effort to snap it in place.

I eventually resorted to the trick where you put the part of the chain with the link at the top of the drivetrain, and then with the brakes pulled hard, stomp on left pedal to apply tension to that part of the chain. During this: the reassuring 'click' of engagement.

I've put a hundred miles or so on this chain: super smooth shifting and quiet running. Shimano makes great chains.

Rogerogeroge

^what he said^ I only have one thirty mile ride on my new chain. And I found the effort to snap the link into place didn't take too much effort. Don't stomp on the pedal, you want to hear the click.

Cyclist0108

I have the Park chain link tool. Will that not work?

BarryVee

Put about 2500 miles on CN-HG901 with included Shimano quick link. Then changed out 6800gs for R8000gs rear derailleur and had to remove links. All my LBS stocks is KMC so one of those is on now. Coupling pins work fine, both links seem ok too. So I do not have an operational preference. It is possible to install the links wrong, they are directional.

John_V 

Yes! That will work. Probably easier and better than stomping on the pedal. I would also use a piece of stiff wire that will fit into the inner links. Put a hook on one end and cut it to a length that will allow slack in the chain when you pull the derailleur forward. Put a hook in the other end and attach it to the chain. This will give you slack in the chain and will make removal and installation of the link a lot easier since you won't be fighting with a tensioned chain.

Lazyass

Master link pliers remove links, they aren't used for installation.

Elvo

You can use them for installation as the outer part of the plier is contoured to the link but they aren't really needed.

robert schlatte

I have been using SRAM and KMC chains with quick links for years and have never had any issue whatsoever. Currently, I am even riding a chain that I put a in a second quick link to extend its length a bit. Frankly, I am surprised it has taken Shimano so long to provide this as an option.

TimothyH

No worries. I've used them on several bikes without issue including a gravel bike which sees rough service.. They are equal or better in quality than KMC links.

As an aside, they are not optionally purchased but come with every 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace 11-speed chain. If you get a chain with a pin instead of a quick link it is old stock. Everything should have quick links now.


-Tim-

toast3d

Well, isn't the chain slightly weaker at the quick-link/master link/whatever? So maybe that's why. Maybe they thought adding it would boost sales, and decided that the slight change in the chain strength wasn't a significant factor. I'm just throwing out uneducated guesses.

Cyclist0108

Sorry, I worded it poorly. One now has the option of purchasing a chain with pins or with this quick-link. I bought two, waxed them up, but then got paranoid...

LesterOfPuppets

The ones pictured are designed for both install and uninstall. Some are only shaped for uninstall.

I imagine it won't be too long until the pin ones will be difficult to come by.

As for my personal experience, I've installed a couple dozen and shifting is great. And I haven't heard of any failures.

pdoege

You will need to scrape down the wax to get them on if you dip wax the chain.

The chains are still compatible with the older pins that are sold in 3 packs. I did this ("belts AND suspenders") and I only use the pins when I screw up chain lengths.

For piece of mind you can throw a spare quick link into your saddle bag. If the originals fail you will not need removal tools and road side installation is easily done with the "brakes and stomp" method. Simpler and lighter than carrying a chain breaker and etc.

TimothyH

GeneO 

Yes, it is well worth the money for installation as well as removal. Unfortunately they are not portable LOL.

Marcus_Ti

Well worth it:

https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/...ts/pack-pliers

50PlusCycling

I love it. On the rare occasions I have had a chain fail, it has always, without exception, been been at the pin which linked the chain together. When the link is installed properly, it works well, but even good mechanics sometimes don't get it right. I've been using quick links for some time now, and have yet to have one fail.

John_V 

Once the quick link halves are on and aligned, you can also hold the pedal and turn the rear wheel by hand or visa-versa. One of the mechanics at the LBS I go to prefers this method over using the link pliers. Myself, I prefer the pliers.

scott967

I have always opened/joined my chains on the return side, going back to many years using conventional chain/chaintool. So using the pliers is a no-brainer for me now with quicklinks.

scott s.
.

seeker333

I've been using SRAM quick link chains exclusively since 2001, more than 60,000 miles on multiple bikes, no real issues. Over time the quick link becomes slightly difficult to remove by hand, a light squeeze with needle nose (or your fancy) pliers will break it loose. Goes back together without tools.

I do not miss using a chainbreaker tool on non-quick-link chains.

I'm guessing SRAM's quick link patent expired so now Shimano is finally selling them.

mstateglfr 

Kmc links for all my chains regardless of chain brand.

that cheap pin that shimano pushed for so long pushed me to kmc links and I haven't had a reason to go back.

Lightingguy

John_V 

I think Shimano QLinks are like all the others. They all tell you that they are not reusable, but you can reuse them several times on the same chain. I think the "non-reusable" statement is meant to keep you from using the same link from a stretched chain on a new chain that doesn't come with a Quick Link. Since the Quick Link stretches at the same rate as the other chain links, using it on a new chain can cause problems. KMC does make reusable links that aren't that expensive but, from what I recall, are sold separately. I reuse the Quick Links on my FSA chains several time in order to soak the chain or perform other maintenance where it's easier to do with the chain off the bike.

Marcus_Ti

Shhh, don't type so loudly...I think I can here Kontact racing here to lecture us all about how you're GOING TO DIE if you re-use a quick link