Missing Link Reuse?
 

Yea, Ok. I know all the missing link directions are quite clear that you should only use them once. Why? How many folks reuse them and what is the thinking behind this or consequences? Seems this could get quite $$$ for those of us that like to remove our chains often for cleaning.

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...uick-link.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...uick-link.html

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...eed-chain.html

I've used them over and over again without consequence. Once I couldn't get one loose and had to bend the crap out of it, but that's it. I have 1 per chain and I also keep a few spares around just in case.

My KMC chains say 'Reuseable' right on the packaging. My one SRAM chain doesn't say it specifically on the packaging, but it's been apart a handful of times, wit no ill effects.

I use and re use the quick link for the life on the chain it's part of. New chains get new quick links.

My KMC 9 speed links are marked re-usable. The 11 speed ones are marked as one-time use. I believe that I would try to reuse, since I always carry a few new links,

I reuse them, found that after a few times they become loose, as in you can assemble/disassemble them with your bare hands. Still no problem, they never came out while riding. RD tension is apparently enough to keep them together.

One QL per chain. Then when the chain is worn out, the QL goes into the spare link stockpile. I think I've only ever used the spare link once or twice in the last dozen years.

I wouldn't be too interested to use a link on multiple chains. New link on old chain is a waste of a link & it would unfairly assume more than its fair share of the load based on wear disparity. Old link on new chain? Similar thoughts. If it wasn't worn out, why'd you replace it?

When the chain wears, the link wears with it, presumably at the same (or similar) rate as the rest of the chain. Reusing the same link on the same chain, however...sure. I would call it a "matched set." But I wouldn't be keen to make/break the link gratuitiously. When they snap together/apart easily...say after 4 or 5 uses, I consider, but don't necessarily buy, a new link. The chain is usually worn enough by that time to replace the whole kit & kaboodle by soon anyhow.

Thanks! Nice tips

Yes, remove quickie link, clean chain, put back on, repeat, during life of chain.

When chain is worn out the quickie link is given to riding buddies to carry as emergency spare.

You see the quickie link wears just like the rest of the chain pins so it will be retired with the chain when the chain is at end of life.

Then start the cycle again with new chain and new quickie link.

Used SRAM, KMC and Connex quickie links for as long as they have been around. Now using the new Shimano quickie links. Like them all. Shimano seems to be the tightest of the snap together style. Quickie link pliers make removal/installation a breeze. Connex is neat as it is simple bare hands jigsaw puzzle. Be sure to orient the Connex link to match cassete curvature or it will skip on 11 tooth cog.

Since using these quickie links for so long over the years I have had only one Connex link crack and one SRAM link fail. Pretty decent record considering the number of miles and abuse on and off road.

Good luck

A couple of questions,

Since I have switched to waxing I had to re use missing links quite a few times.

For my 11 speeds the kmc/sram links that came with them are non-reusable. I still re use them making sure that they click on tight and I can not open them by hand. I always use a kmc quick link removal tool while making sure that the chain is straight while removing them. I will stop using the link if it can be opened or closed by hand however so far they are going strong. Is there any problem with reusing these links other than they can open in the middle of a ride ?

10 speed kmc chains come with a reusable link, even the cheap ones. I haven't seen any difference with the non-reusable ones. The prices of these links still how come an expensive 11 speed chain comeing with a non-reusable link while these cheap ones come with one ?

The prices of these links are usually expensive. Even the cheap KMC quick links are $6-10 a piece. The so called re-usable Connex link is on another level, the 11 speed ones are $25-30 a piece while you can get one included in a $50 chain of theirs. I can try one of these links for $10 but for more than $25 I don't know. Also I don't know if they are really safe since even the non-reusables I have still hold. The 10speed and less versions are far cheaper, so why is the 11 speed connex link so expensive ?

I want to be safe but if they can be reused safely I'd rather not waste too much money on these.

:D That is precisely the problem, that they can open when you least expect it. I suppose it can throw you off bike and or possibly lead to some damage.

I thought even QLs marked as re-usable are usable maybe 5 or 10 times but more likely it is as said above, until they are too easy to undo. Or maybe the test of usability should be when they stop making a click when put together?

just go the whole hog and use Connex chains, they're great, even the low end ones

That is my test too, I make sure that they can not be easily undone and when putting them together it has to have some resistance and make a click(I am also carrying spare ql's just in case). BTW I installed a new 10 speed reusable link, it made less sound than the used non-reusable 11 speed one when I was putting it back on the 3-4th time.

Another thing is the chain is always under tension won't it make it harder to undo by itself?

Pretty much what everyone else is saying - 1 link for the life of the chain; regardless of how many times the chain is removed,

I have reused my quick links many times on both my bike and trike, when I take the chain off to clean it and the drive train.

The only time I throw them away is when I put a new chain on.

I guess my question would be------------since they are always under tension, and never come loose why would you?

Connex links are great, but no 12 speed model actually seen for sale, despite website info dating back at least 18 months. The problem is there are already many different versions of 12 speed chains and a link that fits an eagle chain will be too loose for the narrowest axs chain. An eagle link works well with a Campy 12 chain. I've reused axs links many times. Just be sure there's some snap left in it, when rejoined.

A few thoughts/questions:
1. Are you sure that the ML that came with your 11s chains is not the reusable version? If so, that strikes me as pretty *****ty of SRAM to cheap out on speccing the $1 cheaper (?) non reusable version to package with their chains.

2. A trip to KMC's own storefront site, interestingly no longer even shows an Non reusable version for either 10 or 11 speed missing links (except for their $20 "DLC" 11speed option which strikes me as a waste of money).
https://store.kmcchain.us/c/connecting-link_missinglink

3. Not sure when the price spiked on the KMCs. Used to be from memory that a 6-pack of 11s reusable Missing Links I think was $18-20 (~$3 per link)
Try these as an alternative (reusable up to 5 times): https://moltenspeedwax.com/products/...er-link-qrs-11

Good questions,

1) I believe Sram's all 11 speed qls are non-reusable. My KMC 11 speeds also came with non-reusable ones which is ...tty as you say. The non-reusable KMC links have a notch. Well on the other hand I have been reusing them while being careful and putting extra wax on them and they seem to be tight and require force to do/undo. KMC 10 speed chains all came with reusable links and they don't even state number of times they can be reused.

2) I got my 11 speed 2 pack from Amazon but it is still $15-16 for two. I haven't used them yet since the ql's came with the chains still lock in place tightly. But yes they are expensive.

3) Those you mentioned are priced reasonably. I don't know how they compare to KMC or Sram's own.


Still if it is safe I really would like to use the ql's that came with the chain themselves until they are no longer tight or the end of the chains life.

Thought I'd dig thru my old Amzn orders.. Who says there's no inflation.?

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bcb9ff5d72.jpg