On Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 11:58:03 AM UTC-7, Ned Mantei wrote:
A year or so ago I installed a new SRAM PC71 9-speed chain, and found
that the "powerlink" didn't easily slip to the closed position as they
had always done previously. I assumed that this was a manufacturing
problem and used an older powerlink that I had on hand. But the same
problem arose a week or so ago**, and this time I just stood on the
pedals until the link snapped into place.

A few days ago someone on this newsgroup--I forgot who--mentioned that
the links are meant to be one-time only, so not to be taken apart for
chain cleaning or the like. Could it be that this represents a change in
intended use, and that having the link fit more tightly than before is
what SRAM now wants?

**On a different bike--my chains last longer than a year.

You need to look this up on the SRAM site, but I think the 9-speed Powerlink is reusable. SRAM states that the 10/11 Powerlock are single use. For the last couple of years at least, it's been SOP to line up the 9-speed Powerlink along the top of the chain stay and stand on the pedal to set it.

I've found that SRAM 9-sp chains have been living shorter lives over the last decade. I prefer KMC for cost and longevity, unless I can get SRAMs for some smoking deal off Nashbar or something.

-- Jay Beattie