Road Cycling - Sram Power Link OK?

Bought a new chain! *smiles* but the guys at the LBS snickered when I expressed my interest in the Sram chain's Power Link. The one said "you probably are thinking you can take the chain off to clean it, well it's not that easy nor all that good of an idea". I didn't question them at the time, I just used the link anyway. It seems like the like a great idea and the cain separation is easy. Is there some problem with this link concept that I'm going to discover the hard way that you riders know of ? any advice appreciated. thanks!

mine was hard to remove the first time. but after that it is easy. I take the chain off all the time to clean it.

mine was hard to remove the first time. but after that it is easy. I take the chain off all the time to clean it.
That's good to hear. Do you have many miles on your link? I'm really concerned about wear on that link. seems like a very nice chain, better than the Shamino I took off! Thank's for the reply!

OK, the last bike I built up used 5 chains (recumbent tandem trike) the bike was used for loaded touring, when the bike is loaded your looking at close to 550lbs with a low gear of 13" The links held up with out any problem, on my last touring tandem I used Powerlinks without any problem for over 30,000 miles. When you replace the chain, you get new links.

>>but the guys at the LBS snickered when I expressed my interest in the Sram chain's Power Link. The one said "you probably are thinking you can take the chain off to clean it, well it's not that easy nor all that good of an idea".<<

The guy is a dink. Yes it is that easy, and it is a good idea. Loose the dink, keep the link!

To make getting the link apart easy, rember to squeze the side plates together as you push it together.

Whne I replaced the chain after 2000 miles the powerlink did not show any wear that I could see.

Bought a new chain! *smiles* but the guys at the LBS snickered when I expressed my interest in the Sram chain's Power Link. The one said "you probably are thinking you can take the chain off to clean it, well it's not that easy nor all that good of an idea". I didn't question them at the time, I just used the link anyway. It seems like the like a great idea and the cain separation is easy. Is there some problem with this link concept that I'm going to discover the hard way that you riders know of ? any advice appreciated. thanks!

I've been using SRAM chains and powerlinks on 2 of my machines (one road, one mtb) since the beginning of 2003. IMHO, they are the way to go. All my new chains will be of this variety from now on.

I use the Shimano chain my bikes come with until they wear then I switch to either a SRAM or Wipperman. I really like the Wipperman SST no worries of rust and is very quiet. The link makes it so easy to take off.

Bentbeggerlen;
Wanted to say thank you for the tip on pushing the side plates together as the link is removed, I tried it that way and found a huge difference in the ease of removal! Maybe that was in the directions I didn't read? Oh; BTW,your bent sounds interesting and probably rather fast.

the first time I had to open mine I could not do it. a friend tapped the end of the link and that worked. then it loosened up. but when I replaced the chain the new one never did that. you wnat hte link well lubed.

you really should replace the link every time you remove the chain. each removal bends and wears the link and it will fail after a few removals and re-assemblies.

you really should replace the link every time you remove the chain. each removal bends and wears the link and it will fail after a few removals and re-assemblies.

Not so with a Power link (Sram or Whipperman). They are made to be taken off and on repeatedly. When I get a new Whipperman the old powerlink goes in my seat bag for emargency repairs.

I also agree with Bentbagger, lose the dink keep the link. :D

actually, sram cautions that you should "Always use a new Power Link when fitting a new chain." that also applies to re-fitting an old chain. ymmv.

actually, sram cautions that you should "Always use a new Power Link when fitting a new chain." that also applies to re-fitting an old chain. ymmv.

Can you elaborate as to your meaning of re-fitting? A new PowerLink with a new chain is a no brainer. But replacing the link everytime you service the chain would defeat the whole purpose of the link.

Can you elaborate as to your meaning of re-fitting? A new PowerLink with a new chain is a no brainer. But replacing the link everytime you service the chain would defeat the whole purpose of the link.


LBS: Can I help you?

Customer: Yes, I'd like a SRAM chain, and 254 powerlinks please.

:eek:

Bought a new chain! *smiles* but the guys at the LBS snickered when I expressed my interest in the Sram chain's Power Link. The one said "you probably are thinking you can take the chain off to clean it, well it's not that easy nor all that good of an idea". I didn't question them at the time, I just used the link anyway. It seems like the like a great idea and the cain separation is easy. Is there some problem with this link concept that I'm going to discover the hard way that you riders know of ? any advice appreciated. thanks!

If you asked them if you should buy a Trek or a Specialized bike, the guys who ride and sell Treks would say Trek and the guys who ride and sell Specialized would say Specialized. Same goes for Campy and Shimano. Aluminum vs. carbon vs. steel vs. titanium. BOREING!

Bike shop guys are predictable about chain brands too. Guys who like Shimano chains say they are quieter and shift better. Guys who like SRAM chains say otherwise. Personally, I've tried both and can't tell any difference. I much prefer SRAM's power link to Shimano's disposable pin, but you do have to learn some tricks for removing it. My guess is that your shop guys haven't figured out how to do it yet because they use Shimano chains.

Can you elaborate as to your meaning of re-fitting? A new PowerLink with a new chain is a no brainer. But replacing the link everytime you service the chain would defeat the whole purpose of the link.
not at all, since you can buy a new powerlink at your lbs for a couple of bucks. the powerlink is meant to be replaceable, not re-usable. that doesn't mean that you can't re-use it if you like, but it will never be as strong as a new link.

you only need one link at the joining point of the chain, and you only have to replace it when you remove the chain. even the most anal-retentive chain cleaner will only have to actually remove the chain for cleaning every 1000 km. you should completely replace a sram 9sp chain every 3500 km, or so, to avoid cog wear. so he's have to replace the link three times. normal chain maintenance [as opposed to obsessive] would require one or two replacement links.

the wippermann connex link, btw, works differently and is designed to be removed and re-attached repeatedly and, according to the manual, "reusable for the life of the chain."

you only need one link at the joining point of the chain, and you only have to replace it when you remove the chain. even the most anal-retentive chain cleaner will only have to actually remove the chain for cleaning every 1000 km. you should completely replace a sram 9sp chain every 3500 km, or so, to avoid cog wear. so he's have to replace the link three times. normal chain maintenance [as opposed to obsessive] would require one or two replacement links.

Then I guess I'm one of those "anal-retentive" types who cleans hid chain every 100-150 miles or so, and more often when it rains. Right now my chain has 3,000 miles on it and since it was new, has stretched less than .050" in that time. I'm guessing that I will get another 2,000-2,500 miles out of it before I replace it (at .075" stretch). Other cyclists that I ride with who aren't so "anally-retentive" as me, end up replacing their chain around 2,000-2,500 miles. Since I installed the chain, I estimate that i have taken it off and cleaned it about 25 times, using the same Power Link. At $3 a Power Link, that would be $75 a would have spent using your formula. I'll stick with doing it my way.

like i said, your mileage might vary. however, if you lube consistently and properly, you shouldn't have to clean the chain every 100-150 miles. that would be almost twice a week for a serious cyclist! by cleaning crud off your chain with a damp [not wet] rag after every ride and lubing up before most rides, you should be able to get by with a light chain clearning [spray on some degreaser, let is sit, wipe and rinse the chain] every couple of weeks. [if you're talking about a mtb or a cyclo-cross bike, you should clean more often.] you can then do a full clean [down to the bone] about every 1000 km. if you need to remove the chain for that, then that's wht you should do, but make sure you have a couple of extra powerlinks on hand.

even on my cyclo-cross bike, during race season, i only do a full clean once a week, right after a race. that's only because the quantity of mud is prodigious, and i use a wet lube -- finish line cross-country -- that gets pretty dirty. on a 9-10sp road bike, you're better off using a lighter, less viscous lubricant like prolink or pedros road rage. these stay cleaner, and don't require frequent complete cleanings in normal road conditions.

of course, if you ride in the rain a lot, with a wet lube, your chain is going to get much dirtier.

LBS: Can I help you?

Customer: Yes, I'd like a SRAM chain, and 254 powerlinks please.

:eek:

I'm gonna save up and make a chain completely out of power links...

I'm gonna save up and make a chain completely out of power links...

I wonder how hard that would make it to actually remove the PowerLink(s) since squeezing the sideplate of one would (at least partially) the sideplates of the adjacent ones.

I open and reuse the same power links multiple times on each of my bikes and haven't had a single power link related failure. The only time I get a new power link is when one comes with my new chain. If you're opening it correctly you won't have problems.

Well, okay, SRAM says you should not recycle Powerlinks, but they make and sell Powerlinks, so they stand to gain from this piece of advice. Please tell us, what is it about the installation/removal process that weakens the link? I recycle mine over and over, save the links from worn out chains and put them in my saddlebag for emergencies, etc., etc., and very little effort is required to get them on and off, certainly less than would be required to bend them, so it seems to me that they should wear very little more than the rest of the chain in normal use. Maybe the sideplates are weaker because the hole is longer, but I don't see any extra wear there, haven't been looking for it either, though......

SRAM does not say to use a new one each time it is removed. it just says use a new one when you replace the chain.

Guys who like Shimano chains say they are quieter and shift better. Guys who like SRAM chains say otherwise. Personally, I've tried both and can't tell any difference. I much prefer SRAM's power link to Shimano's disposable pin, but you do have to learn some tricks for removing it.

Exactly what I was thinking! I have also tried both Shimano and SRAM chains. What remains (for the time being) is a combination of both: the Shimano chain with a SRAM powerlink. Works well.

the powerlink is meant to be replaceable, not re-usable.

Very wrong. The purpose of the powerlink is to make it easy to remove the chain for cleaning and maintenance. Removal does not bend the side plates unless perhaps one is a hamfisted neanderthal and does not reduce the lifetime of the link. SRAM recommends replacing the link when you replace (as in throw away the old and buy a new) chain because the pins in the link will wear just like the pins in the chain.

If you had to replace the link everytime the chain was removed for cleaning, you would be better off using a chaintool to drive out a rivet. Even with Shimano special replacement pins, it would be far cheaper than replacing a powerlink every time!

actually, sram cautions that you should "Always use a new Power Link when fitting a new chain." that also applies to re-fitting an old chain. ymmv.

who/what are you quoting? i've removed my link a couple of times already and the process doesn't seem like it could cause any measurable wear on the llink.

also, you said earlier that

each removal bends and wears the link and it will fail after a few removals and re-assemblies.

are you saying that you have experiecned such a failure first hand? i'm interested.

thanks

i checked with one of our [admittedly high-maintenance] wrenches down at the shop today, and his answer was "you'd have to be nuts to re-use a powerlink." the powerlink is actually designed to facilitate chain installation without weakening the connecting link by inserting a pin.

none of this means that you can't do it, if you like. as with all things, how you clean your chain is up to you. if you remove your chain to clean it every week, or so, it does get awfully expensive awfully quickly to replace the powerlink. however, if you have to clean your chain that thoroughly that frequently, then you must be riding in the rain and muck.

i checked with one of our [admittedly high-maintenance] wrenches down at the shop today, and his answer was "you'd have to be nuts to re-use a powerlink." the powerlink is actually designed to facilitate chain installation without weakening the connecting link by inserting a pin.

none of this means that you can't do it, if you like. as with all things, how you clean your chain is up to you. if you remove your chain to clean it every week, or so, it does get awfully expensive awfully quickly to replace the powerlink. however, if you have to clean your chain that thoroughly that frequently, then you must be riding in the rain and muck.

From the SRAM website http://www.sram.com/tech_info/faq_display.asp?faq_id=15 :

Q: What's the deal with PowerLinks?
A: A PowerLink is simply the easiest way to join a SRAM PowerChain-over and over again.

Perhaps your esteemed wrench thought you asking about reusing the link when replacing a worn out chain. If the wrench thinks you should never reattach a chain using the original powerlink, then he wrong.

I personally have 3500 miles on one chain with one powerlink. that powerlink has been removed and reinstalled MANY times with no failure. I'd like to hear exactly how you think a powerlink will quickly fail simply by removing and reinstalling it. If you closely examine a powerlink, you can see how it was designed for quick removal and reinstallation. There is nothing about the design that should bend, deform, crack, or wear abnormally simply from sliding the two halves apart and remating them.

Replacing a powerlink simply because you R&R'd the chain is a complete waste of money. It's almost as bad as thowing away tubes after a simple puncture.

Replacing a powerlink simply because you R&R'd the chain is a complete waste of money. It's almost as bad as thowing away tubes after a simple puncture.

Actually it's more like replacing your pedals everytime you unclip from them.

Never thought my origonal question here would have caused this much interest! Have to agree with almost everyone here on this one, and will use the power link as an asset to cleaning the drive; I can't stand it dirty and know it affects the shifing. I don't care about the parts life, I really enjoy buying new stuff for my bike!

i checked with one of our [admittedly high-maintenance] wrenches down at the shop today, and his answer was "you'd have to be nuts to re-use a powerlink." the powerlink is actually designed to facilitate chain installation without weakening the connecting link by inserting a pin.

none of this means that you can't do it, if you like. as with all things, how you clean your chain is up to you. if you remove your chain to clean it every week, or so, it does get awfully expensive awfully quickly to replace the powerlink. however, if you have to clean your chain that thoroughly that frequently, then you must be riding in the rain and muck.


Would a Wrench be a good authority on this? I think not. Here is my reasoning. A cyclist who brings a bike in with a chain the requires cleaning is not really a do it yourselfer by any stretch of the imagination. I bet most chains he has to fool with need replacing anyway from sheer wear and neglect. Also, if he is taking off the chain, a new powerlink is no skin off of his nose, the customer pays for it. If he reuses the old one and it fails, then that is a problem. Better to use the new part.

Now a guy at home is just going to reuse his power link until he wears that sucker out. Shoot he can always carry a spare one in his bike bag if he is worried about failure of the link during the ride. He can push the envelope if he cares to and probably will. Also, remember almost everything made has a safety margin built into it. It is like tires. You CAN pump them up a long way beyond their recommended pressure. So maybe the power link thing is the same way. I guess we could put this thing to the test by having everyone take off their chain and put it back on for say 100 times and see if the powerlinks hold up.

OK ENOUGH OF THIS! Who cares what ANY guy that works in a bike shop thinks? Come on now, how many brain cells do you need to work on a bike? 7 or 8? Bikes are simple! I posted this just to see what real riders found from their experience.Because the majority of us wrenches RIDE.

I have used the same powerlink on my commuter for about 2500 miles now. On and off several times, no problems.

BTW, I made myself a "tool" a few months back that makes it easier for me to remove the link. I cut a wire clothes hanger to get a straight piece about 4 inches long. I then bent the ends (about 1/2 inch) 90 degrees in the same direction. Now when I need to take off the link, I pull the derailler forward to get some slack, and hook the chain several links away from either end of the powerlink with the hanger. Then when I let go, the derailler retracts, but the clothes hanger tool becomes taught, and leaves plenty of slack on the powerlink to make detachment a lot easier.