mrmb

So, I have 3/32 components + 3/32 chain. Can't find the master link I want in 3/32, just 1/8. Any problem with using the 1/8 ML on my 3/32 chain?

JerrySTL

It will only be 1/8" too wide. What could possibly go wrong? It will be loose so it might just fall off. The plates would stick out some so it might catch the front derailleur and rip it off. Might mess up the rear derailleur also. Are you riding a fixie or single speed? If not, I'd think that the 1/8 could jam in the cassette or chainrings.

Plus there are a ton of master links for 3/32 chains. SRAM and KMC make them just to name two companies.

vintage cellar

If it is a single speed then no problem at all.

Gresp15C

Even if it's for single speed, I suspect the mis-alignment will cause the chain to catch on the chain ring, every time around, and eventually wear the ring. If it catches bad enough on the cog, it could send you flying.

MichaelW

3/32 is the normal chain size. Use a normal master link from SRAM, KMC,

mrmb

Single and fixed applications only.

I would REALLY like to use the 3 piece master link ONLY. The only master links I can find from sram and kmc that are 3/32 are the two piece. KMC has a 3 piece, but it is 1/8. The KMC chains that I use (3/32) come with a 3 piece, 3/32 ML, but I can not buy it individually. I can only find the 1/8, 3 piece individually. I like to remove the chain for cleaning and I don't like to reuse the ML very many times so if I could come up with a 3 piece ML that would work like a charm that would be great. The 1/8 ML that is available is only $1.

cny-bikeman

If it's single speed the solution would be to use a 1/8" chain, of course.

mrmb

So what you are saying is that a 1/8" chain on 3/32 components is acceptable yet a 3/32" chain with a 1/8" ML on 3/32" components is not OK?

ThermionicScott 

That's what I'd say. I use 1/8" chain on 3/32" cogs and chainrings.

If you really want to see what might happen if you run a too-wide masterlink on a 3/32" chain, it's not like any of us can stop you.

ClarkinHawaii

I believe it would only be 1/32" too wide.

Jeff Wills

And it will allow the chain to be 1/32" misaligned every time it engages the chainring or rear cog. If you have your heart set on using the 3-piece type master link, I think you'll find that the misalignment will quickly pry the plates of the master link apart. They're designed to run in close alignment- letting them get all loosey-goosey doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

I'm with Scott- if you want to use a 3-piece master link, use it on the correct, 1/8" chain. It won't hurt your cog or chainring.

mconlonx

Try it out. Be a pioneer. Potentially prove the shrill-ninny naysayers wrong. Report back in on how it works out for you.

Often, people will suggest things only based on their best guess and assumption that if anything can go wrong, it will. Which stifles innovation and leads to a boring, mundane existence.

Of course, sometimes these people have a lot of experience and what they guess will happen actually does. Which could be disastrous, if, say, you do this on a fixed gear bike and the chain jumps off in the middle of a climb or while back-pressure braking at a critical moment which might otherwise keep you from getting creamed by a car.

So go for it! At your own risk...

habilis

Well put. Reminds me of the post-WWII pilots who experimented with breaking the sound barrier by making steep dives from high altitudes. Some found that the plane wasn't designed for those speeds and crashed. They never got to pass on their knowledge.

eddy m

Put the chain together and squeeze the wide link to the right width with a chain rivet tool. It will work perfectly in a single speed, not so much in a derailer.

em

JerrySTL

I believe that you are correct. I must need to reboot my brain!

SquidPuppet

You can safely re-use the 3/32" three piece master link 9.3 jillion times. They are deliberately designed to be removed and reinstalled over and over again. That's why they were invented.

SquidPuppet

Yes. I do it. It's perfectly fine.

fietsbob

3 piece 1/8" master links are pretty strong, they have been around a long time..

5-6-7-8 'speed' 2 piece master links for those chains.. work on 3/32" thick cogs.

Bezalel

Can you just take the spring clip from a 1/8" connector link and use it on the 3/32" connector link?

Reynolds 

You can use a 3 piece 1/8" master link on a 3/32" chain if you put a plate from another master link as a spacer, used that for years on my IGH, no problems.

mrmb

KMC says one time use...

mrmb

GREAT idea!!

mrmb

I am still not 100% clear as to why this is a problem yet a 1/8 chain+ML on 3/32 parts is fine. In that event the entire chain and ML are loosey-goosey and missaligned...right?

ThermionicScott 

What I'm picturing is what might happen if the ML allows the two ends of the chain to be 1/32" out of alignment and then allows one of the side plates to ride up on a sprocket instead of settling in like it's supposed to.

Like I said before, it sounds like you have your mind set on doing this anyway, so let us know how it works out.

SquidPuppet

Not for their traditional 3 piece. As many times as you want. Ask any mechanic. The "Missing Link" is a one time gig.

KMC makes a 3/32" three piece master clip anyway.
[h=1]Z610HX-CL[/h]
Nickel plated for $1.79

KMC Z610HX Bicycle Chain Master Link 1/2" X 3/32" NICKEL