I think I'm going to try a Wipperman chain. My LBS carries these in the extra-length configuration I need for the DaVinci. I'd have to splice together two ordinary drive chains. I'll size the Wipperman for my 11-32 cassette which I'm going to try for a while and re-size the SRAM for the 12-27.

I don't recall what inspired me to have a quick link on board, but I'm real thankful. I probably could have used my chain tool to make a temporary repair; don't know if SRAM chains can be reassembled legitimately w/o a quick link. Definitely want a "quick link" that can be assembled/disassembled by hand!