jmX

The KMC 11speed quicklink says its Campy only, and I don't see a wipperman one yet. I hate not having a quick link in my saddlebag or jersey pocket. Twice in 3 years they've come in handy out in the middle of nowhere, once on my bike and once on a random stranger I stopped to help.

Does anybody know from experience if the KMC one will work as a short term fix?

Papa Ado

KMC here. Our 11 speed MissingLinks are compatible with Shimano 11 speed chains as well. But please keep in mind that because of 11 speed tolerances, they are non-reusable.

Have fun!

AndyK 

Love the KMC 11 speed missing link! Works flawlessly in my Campy 11 drivetrain, and when you come out with a reusable version, I will be very happy!

jmX

Thanks for that. I ordered some, hope they show up before my next big ride in the middle of nowhere. You guys should update the website to reflect the compatibility with Shimano (and SRAM).

zvez

so newbie question. Is it advisable to carry one of these links on rides, like spare tubes, co2 etc? How easy it for a chain to break?

jmX

Advisable? Sure..it's just a few bucks and weighs a gram or two, why not have one in the bag? Necessary? Absolutely not...chain breaks are pretty rare, however it does happen. If you want to be self sufficient and sometimes ride in the middle of nowhere where there's no cell reception, I'd have one for sure.

I had an ultegra chain break on me. Turns out hundreds of dud Ultegra chains went out in 2009-2010, and I got one. The link was handy then...got me home.

A buddy had something caught in his rear derailleur while we were out in the mountains, and it broke his derailleur off. We broke his chain (my multitool has a chain breaker), removed the loose derailleur from the equation, and reattached his now shorter chain with a quick-link and he had a functional single speed to get home.

There's people that have ridden 10 years and never "needed" one. I've ridden 3 years and it's been handy a few times. Your mileage may vary.

Dunbar

Just remember, you also need to bring along a chain breaker that works with your chain in order to do a field repair.

marcpotash

This is the quote from KMC when I asked them this past week:

"The new X11SL x 116L chain is compatible with the Shimano 11 speed system. We have designed our chain so it can be compatible will all systems. For the MissingLink 11 as of right now it is only compatible with our chain and the campy 11 speed chain. As soon as we release an updated version compatible with all 11 speed chains we will update our website."

As of now there are no links that the manufacturers say are compatible for the Shimano 11 speed chains. Some people say that the KMC does work but I'll wait till it is official. In the interim, to install a pin on the 11 speed Shimano chain you need to buy a 11 speed specific chain tool like the Park Tool CT-6.3. The 10 speed chain tools will push out a 11 speed pin but not install it properly. Here is the link for a forum posting:

https://forums.roadbikereview.com/shi...in-312783.html

Bob Dopolina 

^^^ Post #2 is KMC.

TommyBing

For more anecdotes, I carry an X11SL link that got a friend home as a single speed. Lezyne 11 speed chain tool will break a Shimano 11 chain.

All this stuff works together, it may not be "optimum," which is what you'd like to have, but everything is "marginally interchangeable."

Ultegra 6800 cassette works easily with Record shifters, just a tiny bit noisier. Record rear mech can handle the 32t Ultregre cog even though Campy says 29t is the max.

It's all just a brand loyalty scam.

jmX

It seems a KMC rep has posted in this thread, so I guess it works well enough.

Anyway, why would you need an 11 speed chain tool to push a pin in? My many years old chain tool worked fine when I installed DA9000 stuff months ago.

Bob Dopolina 

Not just a rep. He works here in Taiwan.

Drew Eckhardt 

Yes assuming you have a chain which has flush non-reusable pins like everyone's 10/11 speed chains and most derailleur chains apart from Campagnolo's (C9 still had pins hanging out the sides and no special joining pin/link) down to 7 speeds

It's rare but happens. I've broken two chains since 2001 and have a beefy enough chain tool + missing link so that's not a ride stopper. A chain sized as long as possible with the small/small method or big/big plus two half links more than needed for your largest ring + cassette combination will help avoid problems for when you remove a link.

Shifting under load makes it more likely, but it can still happen when you don't do that.

Papa Ado

To reconfirm, the 11 speed Missing Link is compatible with Shimano 11 speed chains.

Nachoman

Just what exactly are you trying to say?

marcpotash

So it seems KMC has 2 reps with conflicting information, plus the KMC web site which shows the link isn't compatible with Shimano 11 speed chains. Make up your mind KMC!!!!

Bob Dopolina 

Jeebus.

The person posting in the thread works at the heart of the company in Taiwan (KMC is a Taiwanese company). If he has assured you numbskulls that you can use their missing link with SHIM 11 take it as gospel.

Website are not always updated as quickly as some would like and reps are not always current on every facet of every product they represent.

jmX

Well, in case you didn't believe the "KMC rep" in this thread, check out the updated sticker on the 11 speed missing links that showed up today.

Papa Ado

^^^ Thanks for reconfirming my reconfirmation

Yes, unfortunately websites don't update themselves quickly enough and we have our HQ, 2 head offices, distributors, traders, etc to sort out. I've contacted most about this issue and we will update the information ASAP. Apologies for the confusion. Please feel free to PM me if you have any KMC product questions.

marcpotash

Thank You!

merlinextraligh

I use a lezyne multi tool. 107 grams, about 40 grams heavier than a mini tool without a chain break. So 1-2 grams for the link, 40 for the tool is pretty light insurance.

Plus, the chain break tool also works as a spoke wrench, and a beer bottle opener.

StanAccy

I have a couple of questions about the Missing Link 11 for use on Shimano 11 speed chains.

1. Why is the 11-speed variant considered "non-reusable" - can the link not be reopened/closed after installation?
2. Why does the link need a tool to break it apart?

I've been using 8/9/10 speed Missing Links for years, and I've been able to install them and reuse them to take my chain off and reinstall it. Does the 11 speed Missing Link not allow such functionality?

Is this another awesome Shimano/Whoever invention (11-speed) to sell more Shimano chains and prevent cheap after market fixes?

merlinextraligh

You can reopen it, but after you have, it's not considered sufficiently strong to be reliable if you closed it again. The tolerances for 11 speed apparently make it too easy to warble out the hole.

It doesn't. You need the chain tool doing a field repair to remove the damaged links of chain before you reassemble with the quick link.

Although having a pair of pliers designed for quick links makes it easier to open them.

StanAccy

So then Im missing the point of the ML-11 then. I may as well just get an 11-speed pin (or two), and since I always carry a chain-break tool, this makes no difference. I may as well just drive in a new pin after Ive removed the broken link.


I wasnt aware there were tools for this - I figured everyone had as much enjoyment as I when removing the links on my 10-speed chain :-)

Homebrew01

"master links" are easier to install, and not prone to doing incorrectly.