Bicycle Mechanics - KMC X10 Chain Removal

Have a new bike with 10 speed Campy with KMC X10 chain. The chain has a KMC master link of undetermined type that came with the stock chain on the bike. I am not familar with how to remove this particular master link. Does anybody have any suggestions? Is the KMC master link for the X10 chain conducive to occasional removal or is removing the chain for periodic cleaning ill advised especially with the standard KMC link?
Thanks for any advice,
George

If the chain is forced into a U configuration with the master link at the top/bottom?
of the U then strong fingered types can push on the rollers squeezing them together
to pop the master link loose. I always have to use needle nose pliers to squeeze
the rollers together. The pin ends are held in a hole that looks like an "8" on its side.
Squeezing pushes the ends of the pins from the small part of the 8 to the large part,
allowing the plates to be pulled out of the chain. Once you have done it, it is easy.
Reassemble in reverse and just pulling moderately hard on the chain will pop the pins
back into the retention position (grab chain on either side of the master link with your
hands and pull. Works great, allows easy removal and they don't degrade with removal. Just dont lose the two pieces of the master link :). Steve

A "great description" Steve...Thank you. A thought based upon your procedure is I will likely ride the bike to put the chain on the granny ring up front and mid to smaller cog on the rear cassette. Then take a zip tie and grab 1-2" inches of chain on each side of the master link and zip tie the chain together. In replacement of a pair of needle nose pliers, I am thinking a small C-clamp may work nicely for squeezing the two adjacent rollers on each side of the master together to disengage the chain from the master. This may be the least invasive technique. I was wondering about the reliability/reusability of the KMC master link and you answered that. Good to know I can remove the chain from time to time for a thorough cleaning and there is no issue with reusing the master link.
Thanks again for taking the time to post your procedure as it really helps me out.
Best Regards,
George

I'd really caution against reusing the KMC Missing Links. Everything I've read seems to indicate that they are not to be reused which is why they sell them in six-packs. They're simply meant for tool-less trail/road-side installation. Check out Bikeman's Webpage of Master Links and Chain Pins (http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/c/COMPCHMASTER) for some reusable link alternatives.

Thanks for your input Khuon. Has anybody else reused the KMC master link without any issues or is best practice to always change this link as Khuon suggested? Also if anybody that uses a KMC X10 chain has found a more reliable master link to use, please tell us about it.
Thanks,
George

SRAM does not seem to limit their masterlinks to one use, but they don't have a 10spd
version. KMC suggests "single use". SRAM charges 2x what KMC costs. I tend to
clean my chains on the bike but on my recumbent I have popped the KMC 8spd and
9spd off repeatedly with no problems. The 9spd chain is now a SRAM (3d chain in
that position). The second chain was a KMC and the masterlink failed in the first
100mi, but the replacement KMC masterlink was ok for the life of the chain.
One other comment, c clamp probably would not work, you have to compress the
rollers only, not the side plates as the side plates have to move relative to each other
for the pins to move to the release position. Unless you have a c clamp with very narrow faces. Steve

Thank you brother. An asute point I didn't pick up on. You are correct...a C-clamp will not get in there...only push on the side plates...not what you want.
I wonder if there is a viable replacement master link that will fit the KMC X10 chain that is reusable?
Interesting that KMC only suggests a one time usage for each master link removal...must be difficult to design a robust master link with narrow 10 speed chain profile.
Thanks again Steve,
George

Wippermann ConneXlink 10, IRD SnapLink III and Craig Metalcraft SuperLink III are all 10-speed compatible and rated for reuse. Perhaps try contacting them to see if they can be used with a KMC X10?

Excellent idea khuon, thanks. Since you use Wipperman...will ask them first as I presume you are happy with their ConneXlink.
Appreciate all the help,
George