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What master link do I use if I want to remove the chain each time I clean it?

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What master link do I use if I want to remove the chain each time I clean it?

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Old 10-24-20, 05:47 PM
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IUseAllTheSpace
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What master link do I use if I want to remove the chain each time I clean it?

The title speaks for itself, but I would like to add, I am interested in what is the least expensive way, at least to your knowledge, I could achieve the versatility of removing the chain as many times as I need to clean it; and of course I wanna do it without the compromise of my safety, which I will not need osha levels of per se. Sorry if that is a harder task than is appropriate for here, but, if you would like to advise me on the subject, I would appreciate it. Thanks!
​​​​​​Edit:
thank you all for your answers, excellent turnout.

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Old 10-24-20, 06:15 PM
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Bob the Mech
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I use a KMC Missing link...and I only use KMC chains for my 11, 10, 9 and 8 speed set ups. I have installed a KMC link on a Shimano HG54 HG-X 10 Speed Chain (on a friend's request) with no issue thus far (8 months and 1600 miles). I will use the Missing Link 3 times in one chain before replacing it with a new one. If I purchase a new chain, then I wolud use a new Missing Link (supplied with the chain). Use a dedicated chain link pliers, makes removal so much easier
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Old 10-24-20, 06:30 PM
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Without question Wipperman Connex by far the best and easiest. I use one for 2 chains then buy a new one. More money but way more time saved using.
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Old 10-24-20, 06:34 PM
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KMC Missing Link. I reuse 'em so often I can remove 'em with my hands, or at most ordinary pliers to nudge 'em past the slight catch. So far, so good, in a few years of using 'em this way. Haven't had one pop loose, even when the chain has dropped off the chainring.

I always carry a spare too. Haven't needed one myself but a friend did on a group ride a couple of years ago.

However my batch of Missing Links aren't compatible with a Shimano 9-speed chain I just got, which came with the original snap-off pin. Not sure whether there's a quick link for that particular chain. It's much narrower than my old school 6-8 speed chains.
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Old 10-24-20, 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Bob the Mech
I use a KMC Missing link...and I only use KMC chains for my 11, 10, 9 and 8 speed set ups. I have installed a KMC link on a Shimano HG54 HG-X 10 Speed Chain (on a friend's request) with no issue thus far (8 months and 1600 miles). I will use the Missing Link 3 times in one chain before replacing it with a new one. If I purchase a new chain, then I wolud use a new Missing Link (supplied with the chain). Use a dedicated chain link pliers, makes removal so much easier
Ditto - I've been using KMC chains with their Missing Link for over 12 years. The link comes with a new chain.. I believe KMC recommends no more than three re-uses of their Missing Link.. Some have said they have used these more than three times without problems. I do not mix-and-match chain and master link.

When I was riding 8- and 9- speed, the SRAM chain and their master links were a great system. You could remove the master link with you fingers, no tools needed. And I don't recall they had a maximum number of reuses. However, SRAM 10- speed and above use a different master link, which I believe is only to be used once (hopefully someone can agree or correct me on the one time use of SRAM 10- spd and above master links).
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Old 10-24-20, 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by deacon mark
Without question Wipperman Connex by far the best and easiest. I use one for 2 chains then buy a new one. More money but way more time saved using.
Ditto
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Old 10-24-20, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
However my batch of Missing Links aren't compatible with a Shimano 9-speed chain I just got, which came with the original snap-off pin. Not sure whether there's a quick link for that particular chain. It's much narrower than my old school 6-8 speed chains.
There are 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 speed KMC Missing Links available.
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Old 10-24-20, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by canklecat
KMC Missing Link. I reuse 'em so often I can remove 'em with my hands, or at most ordinary pliers to nudge 'em past the slight catch. So far, so good, in a few years of using 'em this way. Haven't had one pop loose, even when the chain has dropped off the chainring.
That was my approach too until one popped loose and the chain swung down, behind the rear DR and up into the cassette, pulling the chain forward and destroying the rear DR. It all happened in about a second. I stopped hard as soon as I heard something weird and by that time it was over. DR looked like a broken pretzel. I was on the second re-coupling after the initial install(so three total couplings since removed from the packaging). I'd taken the chain off 3-4 rides previous to the failure and cleaned the drivetrain..everything ran fine. Started the fifth ride and poof..done.

Soo.. I ordered some of these and changed out all the links on all my bikes. I now keep a log of bike & number of chain breaks, Not sure yet how long I'll use these..3-5 cycles?..not sure. Fortunately the DR that was destroyed was easily replaced. There are others I'd hate to loose.

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