I wanted to also get an opinion from an impartial tech expert, so I sent the same question to one of my most trusted industry friends — someone with extensive current experience testing all brands and models of connecting links. He prefers to remain anonymous. For 10, 11 or 12-speed links, you’ll need to use tools to open the link. If you plan on replacing the chain and don’t have the tools to undo the link, you can use a chain breaker on any chain pin other than the master link to remove the chain.

What I use is Wipperman Connex links. They’re a mechanical fit, not a press/snap fit. Not tools are needed to install or remove them, which is what I like about them most (be sure to orient them correctly following the instructions – it’s not that obvious how it’s done). Mine have always run smooth and quiet. That’s what I’d try if I were you even though they do cost more. Hope this helps and thanks for the great comments. Chain reaction Cycles and CRC are trading names of Wiggle Ltd (In Administration) registered in the United Kingdom at 1000 Lakeside, Suite 310, Third Floor N E Wing, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3EN, With the master links like SRAM’s you also ‘feel’ the link positively snap into position. As the link is reused the positive engagement disappears as the engagement hole becomes enlarged and elongated. Since the cassettes on modern bikes are equally wide from 8 to 12 speeds, the chain has to get thinner on denser cassettes or its outer links will rub against the adjacent cogs.It’s still too early to tell about absolute cross-compatibility for newer 12-speed links, however, Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling suggests he has customers using SRAM Eagle 12-speed links (a mountain bike product) with Campagnolo 12-speed chains without issue. According to Kerin, “SRAM Eagle chains are 5.26mm wide, Campagnolo 12-speed are 5.15mm, seems the 0.11mm difference is fine.” Those with older eight or nine-speed chains should find success with using KMC, SRAM or Wippermann links on just about any chain of the same speed.

You can now pull the link into its closed position. If using an 8 or 9-speed link, you can now simply pull the link shut with your hands, although you may need to squeeze the link together at the same time. KMC and Wippermann (Connex Link) produce universal chainlinks compatible with all 12, 11, 10, 9, and 8-speed chains regardless of brand.Nonetheless, many people reuse non-reusable links. Some do it because they don’t know any better while others are knowingly taking the risk. Bicycle chains’ width differs according to the number of speeds that the bike has. More speeds require a narrower chain because there are more cogs on the cassette/freewheel. Just about every tool brand offers a master link plier and they all do much the same role and in the same way. They simply hook into the rollers of the chain and work to squeeze the master link open. If that happens, the unsuspecting rider re-tensions the chain only to experience a very sudden failure. And, as I’m sure you’ve seen or perhaps had happen to you, this usually results in a bad crash. So, again, please advise your readers for their own safety to not reuse the links.”

For that reason, you may experience some stiffness, but it shouldn’t be too noticeable nor a problem. Universal Chain Links If you plan on taking the chain on and off the bike semi-regularly, then I’d recommend either the YBN or KMC reusable links. The Wippermann Connex is another strong option; they’re easy to use and seemingly work just fine, but I don’t love that they’re a hair wider, longer in length and an odd shape. As Ed mentioned, having a link you can open and close more than once comes in very handy for cleaning and changing chains. It’s also smart to carry such a link in your repair kit for easy repairs should you break a chain on the road (some roadies call these links “chain patches” — always liked that name). Ed continued, “For more than a decade my main bikes were 9-speed and I ran SRAM PC-971 chains. I loved the PowerLink feature and used it to easily remove chains for cleaning and lubing. I never saw a warning against using a PowerLink more than once and I never experienced a chain problem from a reused link. If step six is unsuccessful, then rest the bike on the ground. Ensure chain link is centered above the chainstay, firmly apply rear brake and stand on drive side pedal. Push down until the link seats.

How to remove a quick link

For 11-speed I tested all the popular links on the market and found there to be total cross-compatibility, including with Campagnolo chains. However, what’s somewhat unusual is that the outside widths of connecting links do vary. The outer widths of the individual links vary, but interestingly, it doesn’t seem to have any impact on real-world compatibility. An alternative to these KMC and YBN links are the Wippermann Connex links. These unique links are easily reusable many times over without the need for tools at all, instead relying on a special extended shape that can only open with the corresponding outer chain plates articulated out of the way. Shimano’s TL-CN10 tool is by far and away the best available, simply because it works to open and close links with a leverage advantage. This a huge asset when dealing with tight links, and no other tool I tested has this feature (note: It seems this tool is sourced from Super-B, who also offer such a tool, albeit with simpler handles. And X-Tools also now offer a version of this). KMC comes close, in that it’s the only other tool to offer a squeezing action in closing a link, however, it’s a separate tool to the link opening version and so you’ll need to buy two tools to do what the Shimano achieves in one.