Originally Posted by
bikeman732
Over my 25+ years of shop experience I have surely seen more master links fail than (properly) pressed together links. While we are on the subject of master links, I have always installed the retaining clip with the closed end facing the direction of rotation...do all of you experts agree with that bit of bicycle mechanic minutiae?
Master links for current 8,9, 10 and 11-speed derailleur chains do not have an "open end". You are describing the master links used on old style bike chains and motorcycle and insustrial chains.
I too have never had a modern bike master link fail and I've used Forester, SRAM and Wippermann links extensively on 8, 9 and 10-speed chains. The 8-speed Forester links did develop a clicking sound after some use but never failed.