Bicycle Mechanics - Mix and Match Chain Components, a problem?

I recently took my bike in to the LBS for routine service, just to adjust things for cable stretch, etc. I've had it 6 weeks or so. Anyway, I didn't really care for the really waxy sticky stuff that came on my shimano chain, and the mechanic said he'd pull it off, put it in the parts washer to get it all clean, then put their lube of choice on it. (something not as tacky, but a good lube, can't remember what it is now) Anyway, when I went to pick it up, he said he had replaced the master link with one that was better, because he had seen some shimano masters "explode" to use his exact words. So I got this new one, they said it was stronger. I had a post over in the road forum and a couple of people said they thought mixing and matching wasn't a good idea, so I just want y'all's opinion. Thanks.

http://www.xodeuce.com/pictures/chain.jpg

I recently took my bike in to the LBS for routine service, just to adjust things for cable stretch, etc. I've had it 6 weeks or so. Anyway, I didn't really care for the really waxy sticky stuff that came on my shimano chain, and the mechanic said he'd pull it off, put it in the parts washer to get it all clean, then put their lube of choice on it. (something not as tacky, but a good lube, can't remember what it is now) Anyway, when I went to pick it up, he said he had replaced the master link with one that was better, because he had seen some shimano masters "explode" to use his exact words. So I got this new one, they said it was stronger. I had a post over in the road forum and a couple of people said they thought mixing and matching wasn't a good idea, so I just want y'all's opinion. Thanks.

http://www.xodeuce.com/pictures/chain.jpgThe 'Exploding Shimano master' is nose picker BS. Shimano uses a specific replacement pin rather than a removable 'master link' anyway. There is nothing wrong with using a differenent compatible link of a different brand.FWIW, there are quite a few carpet smokers at the road forum.

That KMC link looks pretty chewed up. You should be able to install and remove it without tools.

I use a SRAM link on my Shimano chain. Never had a single problem.

SS

Hehe- the chain on my home-made recumbent is composed of about 4 different chains of dubious vintage. So far, no problems.

I recently took my bike in to the LBS for routine service, just to adjust things for cable stretch, etc. I've had it 6 weeks or so. Anyway, I didn't really care for the really waxy sticky stuff that came on my shimano chain, and the mechanic said he'd pull it off, put it in the parts washer to get it all clean, then put their lube of choice on it.

Too bad you did that, the factory lube is better than anything you could put on after the fact.


(something not as tacky, but a good lube, can't remember what it is now) Anyway, when I went to pick it up, he said he had replaced the master link with one that was better, because he had seen some shimano masters "explode" to use his exact words.

That's a steaming pile of taurine excrement. Shimano chains don't come with master links. Shimano uses these lame special pins. Lots of folks upgrade with master links like this. I generally use the SRAM Power Links, but then again I generally use SRAM chains too. I'm generally a big Shimano fan but that does not include their chains.

Sheldon "SRAM Chains" Brown


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