Shimano: "Non-Reusable"
Okay, with that out of the way, who's reusing 12-speed Quick-Links?
Okay, with that out of the way, who's reusing 12-speed Quick-Links?
12-speed Shimano Quick Link: To Reuse or Not to Reuse?
OldZaskar
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Depends on what you mean by re-using. If the chain is worn out, then reusing the quick link is not a great idea, because it is worn out too. If you're taking the chain apart every week to clean it (as some OCD folks do) then unless taking it apart requires significant force, it's hard to see why you can't reuse it. You certainly can reuse other brands.
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2,398 Posts
Good clarification. I was referring to new and newish i.e., not worn-out chains.
Example: Last weekend I spent 3 days in the mountains, so I swapped my 11-30 (remember when we considered that a "climbing cassette"?) for an 11-34. I also swapped the chains. So, a new chain got a new Quick Link. Monday, I put the "old" (not worn-out) 11-30 and matched chain back on. I reused the Quick Link.
The "old" chain probably has 2,000 miles on it. The Quick Link now has 150 miles and two off-on cycles.
Example: Last weekend I spent 3 days in the mountains, so I swapped my 11-30 (remember when we considered that a "climbing cassette"?) for an 11-34. I also swapped the chains. So, a new chain got a new Quick Link. Monday, I put the "old" (not worn-out) 11-30 and matched chain back on. I reused the Quick Link.
The "old" chain probably has 2,000 miles on it. The Quick Link now has 150 miles and two off-on cycles.
I think this particular case is WCD folks. I'll let you figure out what "W" stands for.
I've reinstalled the same one a few times until click in / out starts to become easy, which would be a sign that it's time to discard it.
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9,359 Posts
A quick link is a dicotomy. It is only 1 link of 113 or so, so wear is not much of an issue. But, with a big 'B', your chain will always break at the weakest link. "Do you feel lucky? Well, do you OP?"
Kinda boils down to are you a masher or a spinniker?
Kinda boils down to are you a masher or a spinniker?
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2,398 Posts
Okay, good. I've used the "feeler gauge" with these for years. So far, so good.
I've had a couple chains break on me - not related to master/quick links and likely my fault, e.g., poorly timed shifts. Fortunately, each time, it was a nonevent. I know that a broken chain can definitely end badly.
I will say that, while a broken chain can end badly... it is far (!) less crashy than an instantly stuck chain. "Chainsuck" used to be a thing. This occurred with the chain remained engaged with the chainring past the 6:00 point - it would continue up and get wedged between the chainring and the chainstay. So all the rider's downforce on the pedal would instantly be converted from pedaling to leaping over/into the bars.
I think chainsuck is/was caused by bad (absolute lack of) maintenance - not recognizing that a chain and chainring don't last forever.
I've had a couple chains break on me - not related to master/quick links and likely my fault, e.g., poorly timed shifts. Fortunately, each time, it was a nonevent. I know that a broken chain can definitely end badly.
I will say that, while a broken chain can end badly... it is far (!) less crashy than an instantly stuck chain. "Chainsuck" used to be a thing. This occurred with the chain remained engaged with the chainring past the 6:00 point - it would continue up and get wedged between the chainring and the chainstay. So all the rider's downforce on the pedal would instantly be converted from pedaling to leaping over/into the bars.
I think chainsuck is/was caused by bad (absolute lack of) maintenance - not recognizing that a chain and chainring don't last forever.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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