KMC chain question

well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)

Anyway, here's the question. The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS? I was planning on R&Ring the chain on my bike to clean
and lube it as it is not particularly fresh, now I'm having second
thoughts and wondering if I should just clean it up best I can on the
bike with a toothbrush and some Brakleen, although that would be a lot
more work than just soaking it in carb dip or Diesel fuel or whatever.

thoughts?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Apr 20, 6:31*pm, Nate Nagel wrote:
well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. *We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. *I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)

How many speeds and what kind of brakes? If it's a 7 or 8 speed bike
with linear pull brakes, you can just install her some cheap and very
functional Shimano shifter brake pods:

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=LD8919

Just the 7spd pods:
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=LD8750

Seen 'em for cheaper. Add good grips like some Ritchey Tru-grips, and
she'll love ya:
http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='1229-00'




Anyway, here's the question. *The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. *I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. *Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. *I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. *Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS?

I've pressed countless pins in and out of 7/8 speed KMC chains--but my
legal department tells me that it can cause hair loss and impotence.

On Apr 20, 4:31 pm, Nate Nagel wrote:
well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)

Anyway, here's the question. The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS? I was planning on R&Ring the chain on my bike to clean
and lube it as it is not particularly fresh, now I'm having second
thoughts and wondering if I should just clean it up best I can on the
bike with a toothbrush and some Brakleen, although that would be a lot
more work than just soaking it in carb dip or Diesel fuel or whatever.

thoughts?


I'm a newbie at this (well, sort of - I used to work in a motorcycle
shop, and took my dept store sting-ray all apart like a curious little
Edison when I was about 11 years-old, but still...)

I think the Power Link is so you can take it apart for cleaning and
such without having to press a pin with a chain tool. I suppose the
warning to not press a pin out using a chain tool means you're
supposed to use the Power Link instead, and that pressing a pin out
and then back in might not be good for the chain. (Of course you
ought to be able to press a pin out permanently in order to shorten
the chain to the correct initial size.)

IMO you have to remove a chain to clean it. YMMV (but I doubt it).

On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:31:02 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it

Howdy,

Maybe I am missing something, but why could you not just
"unclip" the Power Link...?

All the best,
--
Kenneth

If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."

landotter wrote:
On Apr 20, 6:31 pm, Nate Nagel wrote:

well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)


How many speeds and what kind of brakes? If it's a 7 or 8 speed bike
with linear pull brakes, you can just install her some cheap and very
functional Shimano shifter brake pods:

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=LD8919

Just the 7spd pods:
http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=LD8750

Seen 'em for cheaper. Add good grips like some Ritchey Tru-grips, and
she'll love ya:
http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='1229-00'

It's a 7-speed, yes v-brakes, I'll check out your links.


Anyway, here's the question. The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS?


I've pressed countless pins in and out of 7/8 speed KMC chains--but my
legal department tells me that it can cause hair loss and impotence.

LOL I figured as much.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Kenneth wrote:
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:31:02 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:


Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it


Howdy,

Maybe I am missing something, but why could you not just
"unclip" the Power Link...?

Directly quoting from the instructions:

"Note: Once the Missing Link is installed, it is just like any other
link. Because of the integrated positive locking mechanism, it must be
removed with a chain tool. Warning: because this chain has specially
riveted pins, the original pins should never be used to re-connect the
chain. Always use Missing Link connecting link. Ignoring these
instructions may result in serious injury due to breakage."

For some reason I thought it said Power Link not Missing Link. Anyway
it seems pretty clear that KMC doesn't want you to mess with the chain
once installed. My gut tells me that this is just legalese BS but I was
hoping someone more knowledgeable might chime in if there really is
something to that "specially riveted pins" stuff.

I haven't tried to remove it yet, but I think it would probably require
two pairs of needlenose pliers (one to press the side plates together
and one to squeeze the rollers together) and that would probably weigh
more than a small chain tool if one were wanting to carry a full toolkit
for a long ride.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Apr 21, 1:31*am, Nate Nagel wrote:
well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. *We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. *I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)

Anyway, here's the question. *The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. *I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. *Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. *I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. *Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS? *I was planning on R&Ring the chain on my bike to clean
and lube it as it is not particularly fresh, now I'm having second
thoughts and wondering if I should just clean it up best I can on the
bike with a toothbrush and some Brakleen, although that would be a lot
more work than just soaking it in carb dip or Diesel fuel or whatever.

thoughts?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel

I just installed a KMC 10 speed chain with their Missing Link
connector. It's great. You don't need tools to open it, and it of
course it can be reused. That's the whole point.

Joseph

wrote:
On Apr 21, 1:31�am, Nate Nagel wrote:
well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. �We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. �I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)

Anyway, here's the question. �The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. �I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. �Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. �I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. �Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS? �I was planning on R&Ring the chain on my bike to clean
and lube it as it is not particularly fresh, now I'm having second
thoughts and wondering if I should just clean it up best I can on the
bike with a toothbrush and some Brakleen, although that would be a lot
more work than just soaking it in carb dip or Diesel fuel or whatever.

thoughts?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel

I just installed a KMC 10 speed chain with their Missing Link
connector. It's great. You don't need tools to open it, and it of
course it can be reused. That's the whole point.


you can re-use it on the same chain, but you shouldn't re-use it on a
different chain - the pins wear.

On Apr 21, 2:42Â*pm, jim beam wrote:
wrote:
On Apr 21, 1:31�am, Nate Nagel wrote:
well, I thought I wouldn't be back for a while... actually posting about
SWMBO's bike this time. �We went for a ride yesterday, I love my "new"
Cannondale but she was having some serious chain issues with her bike.
Today I laid down a dropcloth in the living room and brought it inside
(raining like a big dog, no riding today anyway) I found that her chain
had about a 6" long section that was twisted a good 20 degrees or more
from the rest of it. �I don't know if that was a cause or a result but
it needed replacing anyway, so off to the LBS we went (we, because she
wanted some gloves as well - her bike has SRAM grip shifters that are
soft-ish rubber and hard on the hands.)

Anyway, here's the question. �The chain I bought was a KMC that looked
just like the original, but it came with a "Power Link" connector
apparently for no-tools installation. �I don't get the point as I still
needed a chain tool to get the old one off but whatever. �Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. �I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it so if you say have to change a derailleur you need to buy a whole new
chain as well. �Is there really a concern about this, or is this just
CYA legalese BS? �I was planning on R&Ring the chain on my bike to clean
and lube it as it is not particularly fresh, now I'm having second
thoughts and wondering if I should just clean it up best I can on the
bike with a toothbrush and some Brakleen, although that would be a lot
more work than just soaking it in carb dip or Diesel fuel or whatever.

thoughts?

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel

I just installed a KMC 10 speed chain with their Missing Link
connector. It's great. You don't need tools to open it, and it of
course it can be reused. That's the whole point.

you can re-use it on the same chain, but you shouldn't re-use it on a
different chain - the pins wear.

That makes sense. The chains come with new links so that should be
easy to accomplish.

The KMC X10 SL chain I'm using now is great. It shifts much cleaner
than the (new) Ultegra 6600 that just broke after a few weeks.

Joseph

On Apr 20, 6:31*pm, Nate Nagel wrote:
Kenneth wrote:
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:31:02 -0400, Nate Nagel
wrote:

Anyway there
was some verbiage in the little instruction sheet about never using a
chain tool to press the pins in or out of the chain. *I guess that
essentially means that once you install the chain you can never remove
it

Howdy,

Maybe I am missing something, but why could you not just
"unclip" the Power Link...?

Directly quoting from the instructions:

"Note: Once the Missing Link is installed, it is just like any other
link. *Because of the integrated positive locking mechanism, it must be
removed with a chain tool. *Warning: because this chain has specially
riveted pins, the original pins should never be used to re-connect the
chain. *Always use Missing Link connecting link. *Ignoring these
instructions may result in serious injury due to breakage."

For some reason I thought it said Power Link not Missing Link. *Anyway
it seems pretty clear that KMC doesn't want you to mess with the chain
once installed. *My gut tells me that this is just legalese BS but I was
hoping someone more knowledgeable might chime in if there really is
something to that "specially riveted pins" stuff.

I haven't tried to remove it yet, but I think it would probably require
two pairs of needlenose pliers (one to press the side plates together
and one to squeeze the rollers together) and that would probably weigh
more than a small chain tool if one were wanting to carry a full toolkit
for a long ride.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.http://members.cox.net/njnagel- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have KMC chains with power links. They are links that can be removed
by hand, but once properly installed they won't come out. To remove
the power link you need to squeeze the plates together and them push
the pins towards each other. This should "brake" the power link and
the chain can be removed. I don't know if my description made sense. I
remove and clean/lubricate my chains every 4 months or so or whenever
I feel that they need to be cleaned and lubricated. All modern chains,
except for shimano work with some sort of a power link.

Hope that this helps,

Andres