My single speed came with a one piece chain and I decided I wanted a quick chain removal situation. Maybe I shouldn't have assumed, but I figured any 1/8" master link would work on my chain. The description of what I bought (ebay) is "KMC 1/2 x 1/8" Master Link for Single-Speed BMX Freestyle Fixie Bike Chains Z410".

After joining the chain withe the new master link there is way more play than I'm comfortable with. The plates on the master link are a bit less wide than those of the original chain. Is this to be expected? Did I buy the wrong link?

Thanks for any help..

Not all master links are the same. How about telling us what chain you have?

If the master link is "less wide" than the original chain, it would never have gone on. A pic would help us figure it out.

For less that $8.00 you could put on a good quality brand new chain with a properly matched master link..

Maybe you can tell from the pic?



I assure you the link fits. If the plates on the original chain links are, say, 1mm, the plates on the master link are less than 1mm. I don't think I need a new chain but I'm not against buying one for the price you say one can be had for.

Thx..

I can't really tell from the photo, but it looks like that might be a 3/32" wide chain, which might explain the loose fit of the 1/8" masterlink.

Bingo. That's a KMC Z610, which is 3/32" wide.

Oh, you were talking about their thickness, not their width then.

Look on the right side of the page and there are sellers offering free shipping. A nice nickel plated one goes for under $12.00

Robot Check

Gotcha, thanks. Does this mean that my ring and cog are only for 3/32" chain, or is are they compatible with a 1/8" chain too? Not really an issue right now, just curious..

If your chainring and cog work with a 3/32" chain, then they will also work just fine with a 1/8" chain.

Very good to know. Seems 1/8" chains are more common and cheaper too..