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, Nonetheless, many people reuse non-reusable links. Some do it because they don’t know any better while others are knowingly taking the risk. 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).

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. Ensure your chain is the right length and that both ends of the chain are open inner links, (using a chain breaker) as needed.Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. 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. 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.

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. 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. I’ve never liked Power-links all that much. I never found them all that easy to open, and I always wound up with filthy hands. However, using a chain tool takes very little skill. And even if one removes a chain multiple times, the likelihood of opening it at the same link is very low. Note: Wippermann has a unique re-usable “Connex” link that does not require any force to close. See our video above or Wippermann’s instructions for correct use.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.” 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. Great question, Ed! I wasn’t 100% sure myself, because I have reused about every connecting link going. So I decided to go straight to SRAM for an answer. I reached out to Road Marketing Technical Rep, Nate Newton through SRAM’s online link

Condensed Answer: A SRAM PowerLink can be used on a Shimano chain as long as both are designed for the same number of speeds. Some people use PowerLinks intentionally for the convenience that they offer. Requirements A great-value option is YBN. These links are extremely similar to the KMC Missing link and are claimed to be good for up to five uses. Compulsive chain and chain lube tester Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling says he typically reuses his YBN links 5-10 times, and without issue to date. The failures I have seen in testing are in two places. First, at the pin / outer plate junction. On one I had fail on my bike, I literally saw the pin fall out of the outer plate on the side where it was (previously) permanently fixed at the factory. I’d like to thank Nate at SRAM and my anonymous expert for clearing up this uncertainty. A Link You Can Reuse For that reason, you may experience some stiffness, but it shouldn’t be too noticeable nor a problem. Universal Chain Links

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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. Sit the pins of each link into the larger slots of the opposing link. Ensure both sides of the link are engaged with each other (failing to do this will mean the link is unsafe to ride). 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. If you find an item at a lower price with another commercial internet retailer, you will receive it from us at the same price, provided the conditions listed in the link are met.