[zonatandem]

Has anyone had, or heard of, problems using quickie chain connectors on a tandem? And if so, what was the problem? Breakage? Ease of installation/removal?

[The BikeForums Team]

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

[TandemGeek]

You must be doin' research for an article...

The only re-useable chain link that we broke was one of the first generation Sach's 8 speed PowerLinks back in November of 1997. We were both standing in a full sprint when it let go. Not sure if a pin or side plate failed or if the chain went slack enough on the return run to come undone.

Since then, have primarily used the Forester SuperLink's (sold by tandem dealers, Lickton's and Branford bike - but Lickton's is the cheapest by far) on our drive chains and dispatched the PowerLinks to the duty on my personal bike an the timing chain. However, we have mended many other broken road and off-road tandem drive chains (almost always a Shimano chain) with spare PowerLinks that I keep in my patch kits / saddle packs.

As for problems, the PowerLinks will bind-up if they are not kept reasonably clean. Folks who use wet chain lubes that don't routinely clean their chains will almost always have a hard time trying to remove a PowerLink as the trapped grit prevents the side plates from compressing enough to slip off the pins. A shot of WD-40 will usually flush out the crud and then the links come right off.

In my view, the re-usable chain links have evolved to a point where there is no reason not to use them, short of track racing. Forester makes the SuperLink in 8, 9 and now 10 speed varieties. Wipperman's Conex connector is also available in a 10 speed model, along with 9 speed. SRAM has the PowerLink (8 speed) and PowerLink II (9 speed) and they work just fine, just not as nice of a product as either the Conex or SuperLink.

[zonatandem]

Not doing an article; the subject came up and just a little bit of research for our own good.
Have broken couple chains on tandems but always was the crossover chain; possibly eccentric a bit too snug (got to leave a little bounce in that chain) and too much torque were probable reasons.
Have broken a couple chains on single bike, but that was in my younger days.
Thanx for your input!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay