Originally Posted by
Andrew R Stewart
I find that the dirtier the chain is the harder it is to disconnect these links. I suspect that the grime is taking up some of the space that the link plates need to squeeze together before the pins will release from the slots. Andy.
Same here. When I take mine apart, I squirt a little WD-40 on the sideplates to wash out the spooge. Then they come right apart.
FWIW: I use 9-speed SRAM chains and master links on all my bikes.