Mountain Biking - How do i take off the SRAM Prolink Chain Link?

I bought the SRAM Prolink chain link yesterday and got the people in the store to put it on for me (i dont have a chain breaker).

Stupid me forgot to take the manual home with me, and the store is a fair way away so i wont be going back for a while. Could anyone point me in the direction of a downloadable manual on how to take one off (somewhere on the SRAM sight) or just give me a quick rundown on how to unclip it?

I was told you can just take it off using your fingers? I think you need to configure it somehow to fit the chain size and link length, is it easy to just take it off and put it back on again, or do you need to remember what it was set to?

Thanks for the help.

I was told you can just take it off using your fingers? I think you need to configure it somehow to fit the chain size and link length, is it easy to just take it off and put it back on again, or do you need to remember what it was set to?

Thanks for the help.

It's 100 times easier to show how to unclip the Powerlink than it is to describie. It's surprisingly easy to disassemble with your fingers, and it is completely reuseable. It has the dimension of a standard link, so you don't have to configure it (not real sure what you mean above). You can take the link off, do whaterver to the chain, and replace the link.

Here goes:

1. clean the Powerlink so you can see what you're doing.
2. grasp side plates of link with thumb and forefinger.
3. push side plates towards each other with thumb and forefinger.
4. slide thumb and forefinger in a direction that disengages the side plates from the pin.
5. thumb and forefinger will resemble the motion as if snapping your fingers.

(look closely at the Powerlink, you'll notice a "key hole" type slot which shows direction to uncouple.)

Once you learn it, it'll take 3 seconds to remove.

Replacing it takes 2 seconds.

push the two link plates together. this will unlock the link. then bring the two links inwards so that you can pull the link plates off. i dunno if that made any sense, but if you want to see diagrams of how to do it, go to sram's site and find the tech manual. it's available for download in pdf format.

i think once you see how the powerlink looks like off the chain, it becomes self-explanatory.

[/URL]http://www.sram.com/en/sram/mountain/consumables/powerlinkgrips.php[/URL]

just out of curiosity: what do ppl think about the wipperman connex chain link? different design, but easier to remove? jsut as strong?

SRAM Manual. Enjoy!

http://www.sram.com/_media/pdf/sram/mountain/chains/Chain_all_MTB_08_02.pdf

Can a SRAM powerlink be attached to a Shimano chain? What about wipperman?

--J

Can a SRAM powerlink be attached to a Shimano chain? What about wipperman?

--J

I can't comment on the Wipperman as I've not personally used one. I do however use a lot of SRAM and Shimano chains.

I prefer Sram for my mtn bike, but have used a Powerlink on a Shimano chain without ANY problems. Sure their website says it's not compatible, but that's probably a CYA situation.

Also, I keep 2 extra links in my Camelback. If you snap a link on the trail, you can just insert another Powerlink as a quick fix.

L8R

Also, I keep 2 extra links in my Camelback. If you snap a link on the trail, you can just insert another Powerlink as a quick fix.

L8R


As obvious as it sounds, I never thought of keeping an extra link to repair a busted link on trail. I'll start doing the same!

Can a SRAM powerlink be attached to a Shimano chain? What about wipperman?

--J

I recently installed a SRAM Powerlink on a Shimano HG 9-speed chain. No shifting problems, although you can hear the link go through the derailler cage when you pedal backwards with the bike on the stand.

I love the link, since I am fanatical about a clean drivetrain.

I do know, from readin through ridemonkey, the flanges on the links are slightly different and supposedly breakages occur more often when using an sram link on shimano chain.

That said, I have done it myself so I don't think it is a major failure problem