Hank wrote:

On May 16, 6:56 am, Bob Ross wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a Wippermann Connex (or equivalent
quick- disconnect link) to make cleaning my chain &
drivetrain easier. Is there any downside to these gizmos?

I've read 1 or 2 anecdotes about quick-disconnect links
coming undone at the starting line of a race (!) but as far
as I can determine that's not a common enough occurence for
me to worry about. I'm more concerned with whether they
affect longevity/durability of the chain or cogs, or if they
affect shifting, or... well, anything that might be viewed as
a negative.

Any reason I shouldn't consider one?

I swore off the Wipperman ones after one broke as I was taking
off from a 4-way stop last year. I was barely moving, but I
went down pretty hard. Since then, I've stuck with KMC and
SRAM quick links, more out of superstition than any empirical
quality concerns.

Like you say, it's not a common occurrence, but once is really
all it takes.

Seconded. There are 6 cyclists in this family, and I use
various width SRAM Powerlinks (black, silver or gold, depending
on the chain width) without any problems whatsoever.

I've used Wipperman conneX links only twice, and a side plate
failed on one of those, breaking the chain.

John