Sram Power Lock
10-21-12, 03:26 PM
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Sram Power Link
Can you reuse them, i've seen conflicting info.
10-21-12, 03:48 PM
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I used the Park "pliers" to open it.
10-21-12, 04:01 PM
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I found this on Sram's wersite.
This is confusing, if they are one time only it assumes you'll use a new one when fitting a new chain.
Caution:
Power Lock is for one-time use only! Always use a new Power Lock when fitting a new chain. Failure to shorten
the chain properly or to lock it exactly into place may cause damage to the chain and eventually total chain fail-
ure, material damage or the rider to fall off his bicycle resulting in injury. Worn sprockets should also be replaced
when a new chain is fitted.
Use only Power Lock to close 10 speed chains (no Pin)
Power Lock is for one-time use only! Always use a new Power Lock when fitting a new chain. Failure to shorten
the chain properly or to lock it exactly into place may cause damage to the chain and eventually total chain fail-
ure, material damage or the rider to fall off his bicycle resulting in injury. Worn sprockets should also be replaced
when a new chain is fitted.
Use only Power Lock to close 10 speed chains (no Pin)
10-21-12, 04:02 PM
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Officially: SRAM says they're one time use
Un-officially: I know lots of people that reuse them. I think i've even carried them over from my old chain to new chain without any problem.
Un-officially: I know lots of people that reuse them. I think i've even carried them over from my old chain to new chain without any problem.
10-21-12, 04:46 PM
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They say one time use only. I cut them off with a Dremel since never had luck releasing them. Tried 2 times. You can find them on sale 4 for $16 sometimes. Why chance it.
10-21-12, 04:49 PM
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10-21-12, 05:34 PM
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But a Channel Lock is a better multi-purpose tool that most people have and you can probably get some for 5$. I have also used, and have a set of MLPs. Really have found there is no need for em.
10-21-12, 09:24 PM
#11
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10-22-12, 06:56 AM
#13
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Don't reuse them. Reason being the power link seems to wear at a greater rate than the regular chain links do.
After about 3,000 - 4,000 miles my SRAM chain was showing some wear but was still less than .05 stretch using my Park chain wear go/no go spanner. If I measured a section of chain including the power link, it showed more wear and almost was almost .05 stretch.
That's the reason SRAM says don't reuse the power link.
After about 3,000 - 4,000 miles my SRAM chain was showing some wear but was still less than .05 stretch using my Park chain wear go/no go spanner. If I measured a section of chain including the power link, it showed more wear and almost was almost .05 stretch.
That's the reason SRAM says don't reuse the power link.
10-22-12, 09:04 AM
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I found this in a review of the Sram 1071 chain.
Please note that while the PowerLock installation can be done tool-free, it's recommended to be used only once due to the extremely close tolerances required by the narrow 10-speed design. So if you must break your chain for maintenance reasons, a new 10-speed PowerLock link will be required to reassemble it.
10-22-12, 09:08 AM
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It was an end run around the Superlink patent on a "re-usable link", so they would not need to keep paying royalties. The Superlink patent should be expiring about now (i've forgotten the exact date), so we *should* be seeing an end to this nonsense soon.
10-22-12, 09:19 AM
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I wonder how that worked out for Sram marketing wise. I happened to use Sram 9sp chains but switched to KMC 10 speed since I was buying their reusable link anyway. Since the KMCs have worked well I doubt I will switch back even with a Sram 10sp reusable link. And at least from what I have read on this forum, I'm not alone.
10-22-12, 09:32 AM
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I wonder how that worked out for Sram marketing wise. I happened to use Sram 9sp chains but switched to KMC 10 speed since I was buying their reusable link anyway. Since the KMCs have worked well I doubt I will switch back even with a Sram 10sp reusable link. And at least from what I have read on this forum, I'm not alone.
10-22-12, 09:57 AM
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10-22-12, 10:07 AM
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Reuse it for the life of the chain. I remove/reinstall it maybe 8~10 times during the life of the chain for thorough cleaning or packing up the bike in a case for transport.
The only portion of the link subject to wear is the pin, and in my experience it wears no faster.
Park and other chain gauges measure distance between opposing rollers which measures primarily roller wear and not chain elongation. This is bogus. Use a good 12" or longer steel machinist's rule. The usual recommendation is to replace the chain at 1/16" of elongation over 12", but I replace them at 1/32" to increase the life of cogs and rings. The last chain I replaced at 4500 miles had a bit less than 1/32" wear.
The only portion of the link subject to wear is the pin, and in my experience it wears no faster.
Park and other chain gauges measure distance between opposing rollers which measures primarily roller wear and not chain elongation. This is bogus. Use a good 12" or longer steel machinist's rule. The usual recommendation is to replace the chain at 1/16" of elongation over 12", but I replace them at 1/32" to increase the life of cogs and rings. The last chain I replaced at 4500 miles had a bit less than 1/32" wear.
10-22-12, 10:10 AM
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10-22-12, 10:31 AM
#21
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Maybe all this is a die wear issue. When they new and kicking out tight fitting links then the companies promote the locking 'feature'. As they wear and the fit isn't as precise they point out how easy it is to do roadside maintenance with no tools.
