Hendo252 

Greetings everyone.

I've tried the search function, and waded through many threads dealing with chain compatibility issues, but haven't seen this specific question addressed.

I'm running Shimano 7-speed gear using HG90 chain and it works great; but replacing the pins every time I want to remove the chain is inconvenient.

So going to a removable link would be nice.

The KMC site suggests that their MasterLink-I will work:
https://www.kmcchain.us/kmcproduct.as...id=34&ssid=572

The Masterlink-II has 7.1mm pins so that would appear not to be a good fit for my application.

Wippermann suggests their Connex link is compatible with all 8-spd chains but doesn't provide any details that I could find.

SRAM doesn't make any claims about compatibility with other makes that I could find.

I need to buy more pins, and thought I'd look into removable links instead. But before I take the plunge, I wanted to see if any of you have experience with the MasterLink-I in 7-speed road usage. I don't rack up a lot of miles, so I'm more interested in good shifting than I am long life.

Any experience with removable links on 7-speed Shimano chain would be very much appreciated!

--Tom in SoCal

Here are the details if anybody needs them:
Cassette: Shimano 7-spd 12-28
Chain: Shimano 7-spd HG90; 7.3mm pins
Rear Der: Shimano M735 Deore XT
Front Der: Shimano 3403
Front crank: Sugino triple
Shifters: Shimano SIS

Everything works great, but I'd

DCB0

I use Sram 7/8 speed master links with my 7/8 speed Shimano chains and I have never had a problem.

dsbrantjr

If you go the master link route, and I highly recommend it, I'd also recommend that you obtain a master link tool like the Park Tool MLP-1. It makes opening the link a snap, you'll be glad you got it.

HillRider

The HG-90 is not 7-speed specific, it is both 7 and 8-speed compatible so the master links advertised as 8-speed will work with it.

fietsbob

Basic scheme: 8 is adding a cog to a 7 speed spaced stack , its wider by that much.
9 is packing in one more without making the stack, much wider.

zukahn1 

Nearly all 7 and 8 speed master and half links will work with this chain and can be found for a couple bucks online or a little more at just about any better bike shop.

Hendo252 

Thanks HillRider. I was aware that 7- and 8-speed used the same chain; I was trying to focus on that size specifically and avoid discussion of 9- and 10-speed systems but I didn't make that very clear.

Do you feel like any of the 8-speed removable links would work with the Shimano chain? Somehow I thought that sideplate contours, etc would affect the shiftability, but perhaps not?

Thanks to all for your comments.

-Tom in SoCal

HillRider

I believe any of the 8-speed KMC, Wippermann or SRAM master links will be satisfactory. Years ago I used Craig (now Forester) Superlinks from Licktons in my 7/8-speed chains and they fit and shifted well but this particular brand of link developed a click after a few hundred miles and I stopped using them. I have used Wippermann's appropriate width Connex links on both Wippermann and Shimano 9 and 10-speed chains with great results and durability so their 8-speed link should be as good.

Hendo252 

Outstanding info HillRider -- thank you!

DannoXYZ 

Almost...

Shimano 7-spd HG cassette = 31.85mm; c-t-c = 5.0mm
Shimano 8-spd HG cassette = 33.60mm (+1.75mm); c-t-c = 4.8mm
Shimano 9-spd HG cassette = 34.72mm (+1.12mm); c-t-c = 4.34mm

An 8-spd is not 5mm thicker than 7-spd. Both 8 and 9-spd increased total cassette width by a little more than 1mm each time; less than the thickness of a single cog. Going from 7 to 9-spd only increased width by 2.87mm (less than the thickness two cogs).

davidad

6,7,and 8 use the same chain.

AlphaDogg

Yep. I use a SRAM powerlink on my 8spd chain that I installed on my 7spd drivetrain. At the bike coop, we regularly install 8spd powerlinks on 7spd chains. No big deal-6, 7, and 8 speed chains are all the same thickness.

Shimagnolo

I had that same issue. After using them happily in the '90's, seemed as if they switched to a softer metal in the early 2000's, resulting in the pins wearing rapidly.