25 Responses to “How To Use a Quick Release Chain Link”

1. Anthony Dacko on September 4th, 2008 2:43 pm
   

   Hi Alex,

   As always excellent and so simple to follow information, One thing I have heard people do is to take the link off their chain and pop the chain is a small bath of diesel fuel.

   I did see this idea used in a bike book I don’t know is this a good idea or not as in the book it said it was common in bike shops as a good cleaner for the chain.

   I am also happy you did this video as I have always informed people with one type of connecting link to use a chain tool and now I know the right way to do it.

   Regards Anthony.
2. xSmurf on September 5th, 2008 4:42 am
   

   Hi Anthony, yes kerosene and other types of fuels are indeed very good degreasers. I have no idea how good it is to use “out of the pump” fuel, but you can buy spray cans of light fuel sold as degreaser at your LBS. It works wonders. But if you’re out or too lazy to go buy some, laundry soap is also a great degreaser and it’s the best thing I’ve found to wash your hands after a dirty bike job.
3. Anthony Dacko on September 5th, 2008 1:21 pm
   

   Hi xSmurf,

   Thanks for the information this is very helpful.

   Regards Anthony
4. bedbugg1/2/elliot on September 5th, 2008 3:28 pm
   

   Ahhh, the quick release link. it has actually saved one of me and my friends trips when his chain exploded, all we had to do was take out the bit that has broken with a punch and reconnect it with the link!… and just something which I found out on another ride with 3 friends… if you get a flat and are stuck in the middle of nowhere with all but a repair kit, your skewers make great tyre levers, but only if you have no other choice because they scratch your rim.
5. Chris on September 5th, 2008 11:42 pm
   

   Hi Alex.

   My bike shop told me I cannot put a quicklink on my KMC HG50 chain (Avanti Blade2), nor should I use a chain breaker tool in order to clean and re-install the chain. They did try to sell me a chain scrubber kit.

   In your experience is this correct?

   Thanks

   Status of this Request
6. Alex on September 10th, 2008 7:24 pm
   

   Yes, that is correct. An HG chain has a special pin that connects the chain and is then broken off after installation. I’ll make sure to cover this type in a future tutorial.
7. bryce on September 12th, 2008 5:09 pm
   

   Those SRAM links can be extremely tricky, thanks for the tip about the pliers. My wife’s bike has the SRAM link and it’s hell to get off sometimes. My bike has the Wippermann link, and I think it’s by far the easiest to undo.

   Oh, and your site rocks. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve referred here. Keep it up.
8. Ed on September 13th, 2008 2:55 pm
   

   I bought an older road bike and I was wondering if I could install a quick release link in the chain. It is an old giant RS900, that I will be fixing up as a touring bike. Great site!!!
9. Alex on September 14th, 2008 12:52 pm
   

   You should be able to add a quick release link on most chains. What type of chain is it?
10. Ed on September 14th, 2008 4:25 pm
    

    I ‘m not that familiar with the different types. Heck, I’m having a hard enough time finding info the that old bike.
11. _Ko0LaiD_ on September 15th, 2008 6:57 am
    

    Just in time for this… I snapped a link in my chain.
12. CyberFly on September 16th, 2008 1:32 pm
    

    Great tutorial website! I really enjoy the videos.

    I have heard that the clip should face a certain way. You did not mention this in the video. (The MTB style clip.)
    Should the clip face in a certain direction?
13. Alex on September 17th, 2008 1:04 pm
    

    I’m not sure there’s a proper way, but I always place the clip facing outwards (away from the bike) so that it is easier to access.
14. MR on October 5th, 2008 9:00 pm
    

    Excellent. Sure beats the brute force method I’ve used previously on SRAM chains.
15. Matt on October 13th, 2008 7:44 am
    

    Alex-

    It’s been a while! Happy to tell you that I’ve done some serious work on my bike, all thanks to you and your labors.

    I’m confused on the quick release issue. I bought my first mountain bike in 1986 and then learned that the old “Master Link” on the bikes of our childhood were gone. I paid $14.99 for my first chain tool and proceeded to push the pins out onto the floor. After figuring out the secrets, I have become an expert- and suddenly, I’m seeing master links come back on Mountain Bike chains. What gives? Any ideas why the revert to master links? How does this affect me?

    I prefer the ability to be “Field expedient”, that is, easy to fix out in the bush- but am I sacrificing strength/security/performance?
16. Alex on October 14th, 2008 5:49 pm
    

    Hi Matt,

    I haven’t seen any indications that master links cause any problems with strength, security or performance. That said, someone else may have some reasons why they could be problematic. I think they’re just popular because they make it a lot easier to disconnect the chain.
17. Anthony Dacko on October 23rd, 2008 8:06 am
    

    Hi,

    I will follow on a little with this master link in bike chains, In most cases the chain will be on the bike so the simplest way to remove a master link is to use long nose pliers.

    Now put the long nose pliers in the top of the master link so the pliers touch both the rollers of the master link then just push the handles together and this will all so loosen the master link so you can remove the chain for cleaning.

    Regards Anthony
18. David on December 2nd, 2008 5:36 am
    

    Hi Alex,

    This is a great site you have. It really inspires me to do my own maintenance as you make everything so straightforward.

    I wanted to know when sizing the length of a chain that you will be joining with a masterlink, is the masterlink included in the one short and one long link measurement you recommend in your tutorial, or is it additional?

    Thanks,
    David
    Melbourne Australia
19. Alex on December 2nd, 2008 10:36 am
    

    Thanks David, great to hear!

    Yes, the masterlink is included in the link count.
20. Michael on December 25th, 2008 3:51 pm
    

    The first type of link needs to be installed with the closed end facing the direction of travel, ie the open end trailing. If not it is likely to come undone in use.
21. MacTipper on February 5th, 2009 2:27 pm
    

    Do you use Type 2 links on road bikes? How do you find out what kind of chain you have?

    Thanks for these great tutorials!
22. Alex on February 6th, 2009 2:14 pm
    

    Road bikes may have the second type, it depends what chain is installed. Usually you can check what type of chain you have by inspecting all of the links. Look for any brand, numbers, etc. as well as the quick release link. If you’re still unsure, you can always make a post in the forums where you can upload a photo of your chain (closer the better).
23. Steve on February 12th, 2009 4:51 am
    

    I bought the Park Tool Master Link Pliers tool to help with the loosening of the link. I haven’t used it yet, but it seems like it will be a great aid.
24. Jon on February 12th, 2009 6:46 pm
    

    I need to remove my chain and I have yet a different type of master link, it has a side plates with one long open slot for the two pins to get hooked on. How do you remove this type of plate and re-install. Thanks Jon
25. Alex on February 13th, 2009 9:58 am
    

    Jon, it sounds like your chain link is the same as type 1 shown in the above video?

Comments are temporarily closed. If you have bicycle repair questions please visit the forums