Quick disconnect touring chain?
12-27-07, 11:45 AM
#1
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Quick disconnect touring chain?
I'm interested in replacing the original shimano chain on my Trek 520 with one that has a "quick-disconnect" link. Any recommendations for a good, solid model?
12-27-07, 11:50 AM
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I use SRAM chains and they have a master link that can be taken a part by hand.
12-27-07, 01:27 PM
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12-27-07, 01:52 PM
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Along those same lines, has anyone ever had problems with them coming apart when not desired. I haven't to date but I haven't used the SRAMS that long. Just curious.
12-27-07, 03:48 PM
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Nope. All my bikes have sram chains. While I've broken a chain now and then, I haven't yet broken a powerlink.
12-27-07, 06:04 PM
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I've broken a few of the old design links but that was because I reused them. The current design is far superior.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
12-29-07, 05:28 AM
#8
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I've used both the SRAM and Connex links (and SRAM and Shimano chains). I prefer the Connex for its comparative ease of disconnect. Make sure that whatever variety you get, you acquire the correct width both for the new chain and the spare... presumably the eight-speed version for the Trek. Nine-speed won't fit.
No breakages. In fact, it is unlikely, and I have resused links (both SRAM and Connex) without problem... except, the Connex is sort of unidirectional. But even if you put it on the wrong way, and you have an eight-speed with the smallest cog being a 13 or 12T, you won't have a problem. The problem (chain skip) seems to manifest on the 11T cog of the nine-speed set-up only.
Common agreement is that breakages usually occur where a chain has been taken apart and rejoined with the original rivet (doesn't matter if Shimano or any other type). And also despite Shimano's dire instructions, you can successfully use SRAM and Connex links on their chains.
No breakages. In fact, it is unlikely, and I have resused links (both SRAM and Connex) without problem... except, the Connex is sort of unidirectional. But even if you put it on the wrong way, and you have an eight-speed with the smallest cog being a 13 or 12T, you won't have a problem. The problem (chain skip) seems to manifest on the 11T cog of the nine-speed set-up only.
Common agreement is that breakages usually occur where a chain has been taken apart and rejoined with the original rivet (doesn't matter if Shimano or any other type). And also despite Shimano's dire instructions, you can successfully use SRAM and Connex links on their chains.
12-29-07, 02:43 PM
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Thanks for the feedback, all. Some friends have used the Sram chains on their mountain bikes and it seems like their chains break frequently (although this is usually during races when stomping hard during a sprint or hill climb.) I appreciate the info about their durability while touring...thanks.
